Graffiti - I never thought I would be a fan!

Graffiti Alley in Toronto

For someone who likes social order, I never thought I would be a fan of graffiti.  Graffiti is often defined as unauthorized scribbling, doodling or marking of a public space.  It was commonly attributed to gangs using it to mark their territory or make statements against authority. 

​Graffiti over the years has evolved in may cities to become more Urban Art than territorial markings - and wall murals are a perfect example of that evolution.  City cores that were often drab and dirty used urban art in murals on buildings to bring more colour and interest to beautify and add visual interest to spaces that had little vegetation or beauty.  

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One of the first places I noticed evolved graffiti - urban art - was in Hamilton on a wall mural on King street as you enter the downtown core.  I looked forward to seeing it every day when I rode the bus to work.  

As I travelled across Canada over the course of my life, I have seen graffiti on train cars on the prairies and in towns and often wondered how someone with a spray can of paint could create such masterpieces. (and sometimes messes!)

Header image from "Quilt it to death anonymous" facebook group

Never did I think I would create any kind of graffiti art - I just cannot draw well.  Well, sixty-four years has taught me never to say never.  And then came quilting.

When I started to quilt I learned about a facebook group named "QITDA" - Quilt to death anonymous. I marvelled at the quilting many of the experienced quilters did that was absolutely random and gorgeous! They used it to fill in backgrounds on every kind of quilt.  Some of it was whimsical and others of it was pure magical beauty with swirls and flowers and birds and feathers and even scenery of sorts.  I wanted to do that!

I started by simply drawing swirls and circles and feathers over and over.  I filled several notebooks with doodling before I tried it on a sample piece on my longarm.  Creating random connected flowers and feathers and bubbles and spirals was addictive!  I was in love! I could go on and on but the verdict would still be the same - graffiti on a quilt can be transformational.

The best part is how relaxing creating quilting graffiti can be!  It is a great way to make an appliques quilt pop as you can see below.  It is also a fabulous way to add whimsy to an already fun quilt.  I am not yet an expert - and I do not expect to take my graffiti to an urban space anytime soon (if ever) - but what a journey this will be!  

​Thank you to all my quilting customers who trusted me with their creations to doodle on!

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