The Quilted Garden

"I want to dazzle the viewer," declares Jane Sassaman, "to snap them out of a mundane routine, and remind them that they are a part of a bigger 'cosmic picture.'" Drawing on the soul-satisfying power of nature, she creates gorgeous quilt art filled with sinuous organic forms splashed with vivid color, often grounded dramatically against black. And dazzle she does, not merely through the multitude of exquisite quilts showcased here, but also through her discussions of what inspires her and through exercises that demonstrate what others can do to find and maintain inspiration at home and in the garden, from establishing a creative workspace to understanding various elements of design, even learning new ways of seeing. Quilters aren't the only ones who can benefit from Sassaman's wisdom; artists in other mediums can learn much from her, too. --Amy Handy