Size: 24" x 36"

Media: cotton fabric/thread, decorator fabrics, plastic netting, beads

Price: $900 US

Kim LaPolla © 2002

Statement: This piece of one of three that I made as part of the Tarot Art Quilt Project. The project was put together by a group of fiber artists to create a set of art quilts representing each card in the Tarot deck.

The Fool initially appealed to me because it made me think of the sense of fun I like to include in many of my pieces. However, upon reading more about the various interpretations of The Fool, the characteristics I tried to convey in my quilt are those of the carefree traveler. A traveler who enthusiastically steps forward into new adventures with her head held high, an absolute trust in the universe, and of course, with a rotary cutter in her hand. She is ready for anything that might come along!

The power of The Fool must have been guiding the creation of this quilt or perhaps it was my natural "whatever will be, will be" philosophy, but all the pieces seem to come to hand at just the right moment.

Just before being assigned the card, I received a package from a monthly fabric club featuring the bright and colorful fabrics I used for the Fool's clothing. How fortuitous. Then, a technique I had experimented with just the week before turned out to be perfect for the background! Next, I had come to the exact instance of needing to select fabrics for the mountains, when a friend came over bearing an armful of upholstery fabric. Perfect!

This is the first time that I have included a figure in one of my quilts and I enjoyed creating the "jester" garb, especially the hat.

Instead of the little white dog that is often used with The Fool, I chose a Dalmatian, partially because the Dalmatian is sort of the jester of the dog world. They are also carefree and definitely rule-breakers! The Dalmatian in my quilt is modeled after one of my first dogs, Sasha, right down to the exact spots!

Exhibition History:

• International Quilt Festival, Chicago, IL, 2003
• Tarot Art Quilt Project website