Jean Shute from Otis Orchards, Washington created this piece. She says, “Armadillo’s Song is a Bolivian fairy tale about an armadillo that dearly wanted to sing. He would listen to the frogs, crickets, and other creatures around the pond simg each night and they in turn would make fun of him knowing he could not sing. The armadillo heard of a sorcerer and sought him out to see if he could help. Sadly, the sorcerer knew the armadillo must die in order to have the his wish come true. At the end of the armadillo’s days, the sorcerer promised he would come to grant the animal’s wish.”
Learning that in Bolivia, armadillo shells are made into guitar-like instruments, Jean explains, “I wanted a happy piece that would reward the poor armadillo in the end when his wish came true. I chose bright clear colors similar to those in Bolivian textiles and let the thread colors and stitching create texture and interest in the piece.”
Jean has succeeded in her goals! I love the lively colors, the armadillo’s happy expression, and the second photo clearly shows the wonderful texture she’s achieved with the quilting.
“Armadillo’s Song” by Jean Shute
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