"If you are a craftsman…only look at your tools, your needle, your thimble…your scales, your measures, and you will find this saying written on them… 'Use me toward your neighbor, as you would want him to act towards you with that which is his.'" Martin Luther
As new members of our church, we were asked to assess our "spiritual gifts and passions" and consider applying then to various church ministries. As a longtime quilt maker, naturally I was drawn to liturgical art and spent several years crafting banners for worship.
Even though my "making" days are over, I can still make things happen from time to time. After a persistent calling to contribute one more banner to Rejoice, I finally decided to commission one!
It's the work of my friend, Wanda Hanson, who's a prodigious quilt maker and genius when it comes to using color and design. She blends hundreds of fabrics from her extensive collection into extraordinary one-of-a-kind works of art. After seeing her latest colorwash quilts, I knew one would be perfect for the sanctuary at Rejoice!
The first time I approached Wanda about making a banner, she declined. But at some point, my calling became her calling too. Eventually, she embraced the project as a creative challenge and opportunity to inspire others through her God-given skills.
We chose the Creation Story as our theme, specifically "Let there be light." portion. visual impact Creative license Focusing on the emotional truth or style of a story instead of strict reality. Ours is a sort of Bible/Big Bang mashup which includes both scriptural and scientific rationale for the origin of the universe.
Wanda sorted, cut, arranged, and sewed hundreds of luminous batiks, each a different color and print, to create “Let there be Light.” Here are just a few samples of the 356 3"x 6” pieces she used.
And here's Wanda with her fabulous creation!
Could there be a better backdrop for worship than this glorious riot of color?
Let There Be Light
69" x 93"
2015
Visit Wanda's blog, Exuberant Color, to see more of her exquisite work!
