2011 NEA National Heritage Fellow Laverne Brackens Fairfield, TX Quilter

A textile artist from Fairfield, Texas, Laverne Brackens represents a long tradition of improvisational quiltmaking among African-American women. Born in 1927, Brackens learned the art of quiltmaking as a child by helping her mother tack quilts. However, Brackens did not begin making them herself until 1987 when she retired from her career as a cook following an accident. Today, Brackens is among four generations of family quiltmakers including her mother, Gladys Henry; her daughter, Sherry Byrd; and her grandchildren.

A highly productive quilter, Brackens is known for her improvisational technique that uses bold, bright colors and often features letters and numbers. "I don't go by patterns," says Brackens. I make it up out of my head. When you pick up the material and start working with it, that's when you know what [the quilt] will be." Brackens' quilts regularly feature an off-center centerpiece, rotating printed stripes, and both horizontal and vertical stripping, all contributing to art works that are distinct and unexpected.

These distinctive quilts have been featured in numerous exhibitions and documented in many books and publications. ......(read more at.http://www.nea.gov/honors/heritage/fellows/fellow.php?id=2011_01&type=bio)

Read more about Laverne on this blog in the post.....WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING ABOUT LAVERNE BRACKENS....December 2010.