Loon Series

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 ~

"Sunset Call"

"Clearing Up"

"Nearing Sunset"

Private Collection 83x93"

"Loons"

Private Collection 48x50"

Private Collection 42x51"

Private Collection 42x45"

Private Collection 24x32"

Collection of R.E.A.C.H. 48x68"

Private Collection 36.5x41.5"

Private Collection 32x46"

Private Collection 35.5x40.5"

Private Collection 33.5x37.5"

Collection of Canadian Woman Studies 33x37"

Private Collection 47x61"

Private Collection 31x31.5"

Private Collection 42x52.5"

Private Collection 85x100"

Private Collection 50.5x59"

"Watching Out for the Storm"

"Baby's Comfort"

"Relaxing"

Private Collection 28x30.5"

"Autumn's Late Family"

"Loons and Tudor Roses"

Private Collection 48x55.5"

Private Collection

"Family Outing" 53x68"

Private Collection 47x57"

Collected Works Gallery, Toronto 44x51"

Private Collection 43.5x51"

Private Collection 49x59"

Private Collection 65.5x67"

"Rose of Sharon"

Private Collection 48.5x55"

Collected Works Gallery, Toronto

"Contradictions"

"Sunset"

"Waiting for the Storm"

"Reminder for R & R"

"Margaret & Max"

Private Collection 39x44"

Private Collection 49x59"

Private Collection 53x73"

"Storm Comes Closer"

Private Collection 42.5x60"

Collection of Peter Kulchyski 79x94.5"

Private Collection

Collection of Curve Lake First Nation 38.5x54"

Collection of Curve Lake First Nation 35x53"

Private Collection 60x61.5"

Private Collection 21.5x43"

Private Collection 31x31.5"

Private Collection 42x42"

Private Collection 38x38"

Private Collection

Private Collection 34.5x36"

Alice 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.