Salli McQuaid: Light My Fire,
36"w x 29"h, 2011. Detail-R.

Artist 's Statement

From the forests of the Pacific Northwest to the urban areas of Southern California and the flaming hot Mohave Desert, the West Coast is impacted by fire and images of fire. Fire threatens our structures, yet can renew our extensive, mostly conifer, forests -- and even our neighborhoods. On other levels, fire can heat our homes, provide energy, and create beautiful, festive bonfires and warm campfires that leave lovely, lasting memories.

Yet, when I think of fire, I cannot help but think of the haunting lyrics of "Light my Fire," by the poet, lyricist, singer, and musician Jim Morrison and his great band "The Doors." As I worked on this quilt, the lyrics, sounds, and rhythms of this song kept running through my mind -- along with the literal fire imagery that emanated from greens, all of which I was trying to express. The quilt Light My Fire became a conglomeration of these stimuli. I believe I was expressing the sounds, rhythms, lyrics, and scores of this timeless music.

Materials: textiles and specialty threads (metallic, haloshimmer, variegated, cotton, rayon, invisible, polyester).

Techniques: fabric weaving, piecing, layering, and applique; trapunto; machine and long-arm stitching; original machine embroidery.