My quilt honors visionary artist Valerie Maynard. Now in her 70th year, humanitarian, sculptor, painter, printmaker, mentor, advocate, mother and friend Valerie Maynard, has been an inspiration to many. Ms. Maynard remains a guiding light, setting no limits on the possibilities of creativity and the abundance of the universe. From protest against apartheid anywhere to a desire for compassionate love, the themes of her art are deep reflections of her sensitivity, strength and spirit. Her impressive tile work at the East Harlem 125th Street subway station is an example of her passion.

I had only been quilting six months when we met and she commissioned a bed quilt with an unusual request… there was to be sage stitched into the fabric. I’ve since stitched pockets of sage, lavender and lemon verbena in most of the quilts I create. With Ms. Maynard’s encouragement I’ve done many public artworks in mediums I would have never imagined without her influence. The positive suggestions in Wisdom Seeker are from postcards Ms. Maynard printed and sent around the world. I’ve used her words along with fabrics that remind me of our 15 years of friendship and influences from our shared African/Caribbean and Harlem roots. While our work appears to be quite different the common thread is ancestral memory of another time, place and way of being with the divine light of ancestors and angels guiding our way.

Adriene Cruz - Wisdom Seeker
(Portland, Oregon)
2007; 27 x 52 inches;
mud cloth, commercial fabric, mirrors, cowrie shells, crochet, lemon verbena, tribal embroidery, sequins, beads, appliqué, machine and hand stitching;
photo by Chas. E. Martin.