Barbara Danzi Fine Art Quilts

Shadowy Figures is an improvisational study in figure/ground tension, grey values. and scale. I exaggerated the differences in size, scale, curviness, thickness, and how much each figure intertwines with others. I designed this at the design wall without pre-planning, sketching, or pattern making. I cut all the pieces freehand without rulers or templates.

87” x 89”

c 2023 Barbara Danzi

I started creating this work by drawing digital sketches. I cut the lime, pink and black pieces freehand improvisationally, then pieced them together using my sewing machine. I used multiple black fabrics to add to the depth and interest.

Once the composition was pieced I layered it on the backing fabric, cotton batting, and wool batting, then stitched through all layers using closely placed organic stitched lines.

90” x 96”

c 2023 Barbara Danzi

Floating curved shapes.

Once the composition was pieced I layered it on the backing fabric, cotton batting, and wool batting, then stitched through all layers using closely placed organic stitched lines.

84” x 75”

c 2023 Barbara Danzi

Curves, like abstracted branches in the forest.

Branches is an improvisational study in greens of different values from light to dark. I cut all the curves freehand, and pieced them together with my sewing machine.

Once the composition was pieced I layered it on the backing fabric, cotton batting, and wool batting, then stitched through all layers using closely placed organic stitched lines.

36” x 36”

c 2023 Barbara Danzi

43” x 35”

c 2023 Barbara Danzi

Tornado warnings in New York City have become more common with climate change. I used a Warhol-esque style with a combination of bright dayglo colors and flat earth tones to bring attention to the tornados. Each tornado figure is different with its swirling winds and figure/ground tension. Those beautiful shapes could really wreak havoc on the city.

I cut all the tornado curves freehand without a ruler or template, then pinned them to my design wall as I built the composition. They are all pieced - even the curviest curves. There is no applique.

I quilted this with dayglo green to call attention to the swirling winds. Then bound it in the brightest blue.

73” x 62”

c 2023 Barbara Danzi

Scalability #7

Scalability #7 is a continuing expression of color, value and scale. There is room for all colors and sizes. Light and dark need each other to shine. You can hang out with others just like you, or try some bold contrast to liven things up.

This is an improvisational version of the traditional Tumbler quilt block using five different values of grey. I cut the shapes freehand without rulers. Across the quilt there is a progression of size and value.

Cotton fabric, cotton batting and matchstick quilted.

72”x96”

c 2023 Barbara Danzi

66” x 42”

c 2023 Barbara Danzi

64” x 48”

c 2023 Barbara Danzi

Purple wants to reign supreme, but orange and purple struggle for power.

I cut all the lines and shapes freehand and machine pieced them, building one large quarter log cabin block, as purple and orange battle it out, trying to outdo each other.

I used many different purple and orange fabrics of different values and hues, and both glowing and flat to add a lot of depth and movement.

Matchstick quilting adds texture but keeps the focus on the graphic design.

85” x 88”

c 2023 Barbara Danzi

86” x 64”

c 2023 Barbara Danzi

68” high x 66” wide

C Barbara Danzi 2024

Inspired by hiking through the Hundred Mile Wilderness in Maine, where there are more shades of green than you can imagine.

70" x 70”

2024

Private Collection

Green Pastures - abstracted in long organically-curved lines with figure/ground tension.

I used many values and hues of greens and browns, some flat, some glowing, to bring a lot of depth.

At nearly 7’ square the viewer is enveloped in this green pastures.

I cut all the lines and shapes freehand and machine pieced them into a flat quilt while retaining the visual dimension.

Matchstick quilting adds texture but keeps the focus on the graphic design.

77” x 76”

c 2023 Barbara Danzi

I improvisationally cut lines and shapes and pieced them together with my sewing machine.

This quilt can be use on a bed or hung on the wall.

101” x 83”

c 2023 Barbara Danzi

Designed improvisationally using lines hand cut from cotton fabric, which I machine pieced together then quilted. The lines are expressing their independence.

78” x 80”

c 2023 Barbara Danzi

Inspired by jazz music I created this abstract painterly composition.

Once the composition was pieced I layered it on the backing fabric, cotton batting, and wool batting, then stitched through all layers using closely placed organic stitched lines.

57” wide x 52” high

c 2023 Barbara Danzi

More Rainbow, Less Cloud

36”x36”

c 2023 Barbara Danzi

Inspired by traditional Drunkard's Path quilt blocks, I created this abstract painterly version.

Once the composition was pieced I layered it on the backing fabric, cotton batting, and wool batting, then stitched through all layers using closely placed organic stitched lines.

55” wide x 43” high

c 2023 Barbara Danzi

36” x 24”

c 2023 Barbara Danzi

A study of wedges as figures on neutral grounds. With each wedge pointing in its own direction, and a range of values in the wedges and the backgrounds, it elicits the thought that we are many diverse people, retaining our own characteristics, yet contributing to a diverse population that's better than any one individual.

We are diverse people, coming from different backgrounds, and heading in our own directions, yet there are common threads woven through us which tie us together and make each of us better.

16”x16”

c 2023 Barbara Danzi

Birds of a Feather

16”x16”

c 2023 Barbara Danzi

Wide Awake was influenced by Piet Mondrian’s work, and it is much more colorful than his work. I quilted it in neon green with a circular design so it will wake up all viewers. When constructing it I restructured it several times, slicing it apart and reassembling it in a different way to create a wide range in scale.

60” x 51”

c 2023 Barbara Danzi

17”x13”

C Barbara Danzi 2024

45” x 44”

c 2023 Barbara Danzi

I See Hope in the Cherry Blossoms

36” x 36”

Private Collection

c 2023 Barbara Danzi

Windy day at the beach. Abstracted landscape, improv pieced from solid fabrics

46” x 40”

c 2023 Barbara Danzi

Attempts to fraudulently change the 2020 Presidential election results threatened our democracy, and numerous lawsuits were filed without any real evidence of voter fraud or election discrepancies. The Big Lie inspired my quilt, a riff on the traditional courthouse steps quilt block, which is a variation of the log cabin block. The courthouse shenanigans were then followed by a violent insurrection at the US Capitol. The wild improvisational patchwork in each courthouse step represents the wild times, which unfortunately continue today.

64” x 64”

c 2023 Barbara Danzi