Barn Quilts - A Solo Exhibit by Amber Martin

March 2, 2012 - PRLog -- The Palestine Art Center is proud to present a one woman show by St. Wendel, IN. artist Amber Martin. The show will run until the end of March and is open Monday through Friday 10am to 2pm.

The exhibit presents Barn Quilts painted by Martin with exterior grade latex and are in various sizes up to 4’X4’.  Each is a representation of a quilt block and are made to hang on barns and other buildings outside.  Her inspiration is from historical quilt patterns, color combinations that will pop from a distance and the symbolism behind the pattern. Martin stated, “My mother is really responsible for my pursuit of barn quilts. She encouraged me to start painting them a couple of years ago and put me in contact with a company in Madison, Indiana as an outlet. As the saying goes “the rest is history” and I have been painting constantly since then.”

The history of barn quilts started 300 years ago when German immigrants settled in Pennsylvania. Today octagonal and hexagonal star-like patterns are seen on the Pennsylvania Dutch barns. In the 1830s paint became more affordable allowing the Pennsylvania Dutch to paint and decorate their barns. Many symbols they used had special meaning such as; circle-eternity or infinity; four point star-bright day; Triple star-success, wealth and happiness and star-good luck. Quilt squares have special names and meanings also. Barn quilts have become popular again with more and more becoming visible. Quilt trails have been developed in Pennsylvania, Ohio, Indiana, Iowa, and Kentucky.

Martin has been interested in art since she “ was a little girl and my parents always encouraged me to pursue it” She has a Bachelors of Fine Arts from the University of Evansville, and taught art for the Catholic Diocese of Evansville for 7 years, before staying home to pursue her other interests. Martin stated, “I prefer folk art and Americana; anything that is primitive in nature. I like painting with all media from water color to latex house paint.”  Martin also makes jewelry, and so enjoys working with metal.

Martin is married and lives in southern Indiana with her husband and 3 children ages 5, 7 and 8 “who like to help me when I’m working on my painting.”
Martin has participated in the Madison Chautauqua, and the Kunstfest in New Harmony, IN.  Her favorite artists are Deborah Butterfield, Grandma Moses, and Modigliani.  She also does custom work and can be reached at amartin77@live.com

The Palestine Art Center is located at 110 South Main Street in Palestine, IL.  Visit http://PalestineArtCenter.com for more information.

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