Secret World

Secret World

I created this quilt as a memorial for my Mother, Susan Tustison. She always loved owls, and
she was especially drawn to Great Horned Owls, with their expressive faces. She is represented
in this quilt by a strong, protective mother owl, and the three babies represent her three
children.
Mom was very artistic, and she would try any type of art or craft that she could get supplies for.
One thing we enjoyed doing as a family was creating beaded jewelry, with beads we made
ourselves from paper and polymer clay. She especially loved working with natural materials,
such as rawhide, leather and fur, feathers, crystals, stones and shells. I added the beadwork on
the bottom of the quilt as a reminder of these times we spent together, and of her very natural
sense of style.
The title of the quilt “Secret World” is also the title of a song by Peter Gabriel, one of many
musical artists that she loved. I felt it was a fitting title, since I always felt like Mom created a
special, secret world for me and my siblings. Our world was filled with inspiration, beauty and a
love of nature and animals. Owls also have a secret world, coming out at night and living life in a
way that only owls can truly understand.

Completed 2024, 49″x42″

Not For Sale