Pimaatisiwin Quilts
Find Alice on Facebook!
  • HOME
  • BIO
  • NEWS
  • GALLERY
    • Anishinaabe-Kwewag Floral Designs
    • Loon Series
    • Apple Quilt Series
    • Star Blanket Series
    • Medicine Wheel Series
    • Original Motifs
    • Conventional & Contemporary Quilt Patterns
    • Inspired by Others
    • Community Quilt Projects
  • EXHIBITIONS
  • PUBLICATIONS
  • LINKS
  • CONTACT
  • I am Known for My Quilts
Picture

    Alice Olsen Williams     LOON SERIES

"The loons in my quilts represent patience, and devotion to working together for Pimaatiziwin, that is, striving to live a Good Life. The loons show us that they can float and swim and dive superbly. They speak to us of caring and sharing and faith.  They say to us:  'My feet and my wings are perfectly balanced. I am like the Peoples of the Earth. Time and Nature is all around me and I listen and wait patiently to know when and where my next move shall be. My wings work in harmony and balance. One wing is Man, and the other is Woman. When both Woman and Man have equal power and they are balanced, then the people of the world will live to their highest limits.'   The next time we see Loons, they will tell us even more.

The water in these quilts represents humility, strength, and perseverance. Look at the wisdom that the Creator has put into the Water. Feel the Water. See how gently and lovingly it touches your hands. Water gives Life to all living things and yet always seeks the lowest spot to show how humble She is. And no matter what we do to Her, She always remains Herself and never turns Her back on anyone. Although She is humble, She has great strength, patience and faith.  For even if a mountain or an island were to stand in a little stream's path, the Water would keep moving until, finally, she would find a path to continue on her journey. She would never give up."
     (Alice Olsen Williams)

These variations on the loon theme, 97 (!) quilts in total, exhibit the breadth of Alice Olsen William
's mastery of quilting techniques, creative use of fabric and skill with perspective and rendering in cloth.  Also evident is her love for loons, and each quilt in this dynamic series evokes the beauty and sacredness of the watersheds in the Kawarthas, the place she calls home.


PLEASE CLICK ON QUILT FOR DETAILED VIEW ~

Picture
Sunset Call 26.5" x 31"
Picture
Clearing Up 33.5" x 33"
Picture
Private Collection 37" x 37"
Picture
Private Collection 83x93"
Picture
Private Collection 48" x 53"
Picture
Private Collection 48x50"
Picture
Private Collection 42x51"
Picture
Private Collection 42x45"
Picture
Private Collection 24"x32"
Picture
Private Collection 48"x68"
Picture
Private Collection 36.5"x41.5"
Picture
Private Collection 32"x46"
Picture
Private Collection 35.5"x40.5"
Picture
Private Collection 33.5"x37.5"
Picture
Private Collection 33"x37"
Picture
Private Collection 47"x61"
Picture
Private Collection 31"x31.5"
Picture
Private Collection 42"x52.5"
Picture
Private Collection 85"x100"
Picture
Private Collection 50.5"x59"
Picture
Watching Out for the Storm 55"x52"
Picture
Baby's Comfort 62.5" x 52"
Picture
Relaxing 64" x 53.5"
Picture
Private Collection 28"x30.5"
Picture
Private Collection 77.5" x 54"
Picture
Private Collection 57" x 60"
Picture
Private Collection 48"x55.5"
Picture
Private Collection
Picture
Private Collection 53"x68"
Picture
Private Collection 47"x57"
Picture
Private Collection 44"x51"
Picture
Private Collection 43.5"x51"
Picture
Private Collection 49"x59"
Picture
Private Collection 65.5"x67"
Picture
Private Collection 97" x 81.5"
Picture
Private Collection 48.5"x55"
Picture
Private Collection 53" x 60"
Picture
Private Collection 44.5" x 43"
   
  
    
Picture
Private Collection 30.5" x 36.5"
Picture
Private Collection 29" x 27"
Picture
Reminder for R & R 35"x 35"
Picture
Private Collection 61"x65"
Picture
Private Collection 39"x44"
Picture
Private Collection 49"x59"
Picture
Private Collection 53"x73"
Picture
Private Collection 28"x25"
Picture
Private Collection 42.5"x60"
Picture
Private Collection 79"x94.5"
Picture
Private Collection 47"x50.5"
Picture
Collection of Curve Lake First Nation 38.5"x54"
Picture
Collection of Curve Lake First Nation 35"x53"
Picture
Private Collection 60"x61.5"
Picture
Private Collection 21.5"x43"
Picture
Private Collection 31"x31.5"
Picture
Private Collection 42"x42"
Picture
Private Collection 38"x38"
Picture
Private Collection 44"x45"
Picture
Private Collection 34.5"x36"

PictureAlice Olsen Williams and Norman Knott in 1989
With Gratitude
"Sharing is a traditional Anishinaabe value, and Norman Knott, a well-known artist from Curve Lake First Nation, was the one who first shared his Anishinaabe art forms and designs with me.  Because of his kindness and willingness to share, I was able to make a beginning in the distinctive way that I do my work.  A traditional Anishinaabe art form is used to depict the loon.  Using what anthropologists call 'a petroglyph style', I have shown how the Anishinaabeg understand and see the world around us.  As with Norman Knott's paintings of our kindred spirits the birds and animals, it is the spirit that is important. Then form is given to the spirit, so that one may know whose life is being depicted.  Chi Meegwetch Norman." 
(Alice Olsen Williams)
Alice writes about her collaboration with Norman Knott in  her article "In Her Memory and in the Spirit of Our Ancestors" which appeared in  the Canadian Woman Studies tribute to Margaret Laurence, 1987.



Picture
Norman Knott and "Canada Geese" quilt gifted by Alice

PLEASE CLICK ON QUILT FOR DETAILED VIEW ~

Picture
Private Collection 30"x23"
Picture
Private Collection 77"x90.5"
Picture
Private Collection 47"x60"
Picture
Private Collection 44"x33"
Picture
Private Collection 50.5"x30"
Picture
Private Collection
Picture
Private Collection
Picture
Private Collection 27x31"
Picture
Private Collection 44x45"
Picture
Private Collection 33.5x47.5"
Picture
Private Collection 55.5x67"
Picture
Private Collection 60x61.5"
Picture
Private Collection 24.5x32.5"
Picture
Private Collection 59x60"
Picture
Private Collection 80x100"
Picture
Private Collection 36x56"
Picture
Private Collection 33x97"
Picture
pillow case set
Picture
Private Collection 29x49"
Picture
Private Collection
Picture
Private Collection 39x55"
Picture
Private Collection
Picture
Private Collection
Picture
Private Collection 34.5"x40.5"
Picture
Private Collection 34.5"x40"
Picture
Private Collection 36x48"
Picture
Private Collection 40x40"
Picture
Private Collection 53"x73"
Picture
Private Collection 34"x52"
Picture
Private Collection 53"x29"
Picture
Private Collection 47"x58"
Picture
Private Collection 45x52"
Picture
Private Collection
Picture
Private Collection
Picture
Private Collection 52"x34"
Picture
Private Collection 53.5"x53.5"
Picture
Collection of Elder William Commanda 54"x54"

HOME
Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.