Her study of mandalas informs her work. Lou has made many drawn
mandalas as a part of her spiritual exploration. They often
find their way into her quilt art as well. Her value of using
recycled materials is also a mark of her work. She hunts for
both fabric and ornamentations that lead to combinations that
are uniquely her own.
Lou is
a generous friend. She is a woman with a lively sense of humour
and a strong work ethic. She is quick and skillful. Her work
often touches my heart. I hope you will enjoy this glimpse of
Lou Punko and her work.
-
M a r y H o l d g r a f e r.
Lou Punko- Artist statement:
My first quilt made with scraps bought at a rummage sale was
begun at age 11. I have always enjoyed sewing clothes and have
quilted on and off over the years. As I moved toward retirement
from teaching I dreamed of becoming an artist. It was not until
I took a series of courses on Mandalas based on the work of
Judith Cornell that I realized how I wanted to form my art.
It took over a year of drawing a mandala every day before I
was able to translate my ideas into fabric.
For me, my quilts are about the inner journeys and landscapes
of my mind. They reveal who I am and where I am in my life at
this time. When I can let myself work at the unconscious level
I learn about what is important or what is a current concern.
Through my art I strive for wholeness and thus the simple shape
of the circle attracts me the most. As with my first quilt,
using vintage fabrics from those who have gone before infuses
my work with a sense of being part of a longer line of mostly
women who have explored these basic shapes in cloth through
the ages.
- L O U P
U N K O 2 0 0 7 -
