A *Modern* Challenge

Well, there it is.  That *modern* word...

I knew it would be showing its face in my little world eventually, and it did, at MQS. I was with my friends Jodi and Eva, and Jodi had just won first place in the Modern Category (again), Eva and I jokingly said we should both make a modern quilt for next year and make it a sort of challenge. This isn't a far stretch for Eva, she has done modern quilts before. But me, never, not that I can recall, other than stitching on a client quilt. And we all know stitching on a quilt is much different than creating a quilt. I've been told in the past that I don't have a specific style... my quilts range from traditional to innovative to art -- but nowhere in there have I conquered modern.

Let's start with what makes a quilt modern?

Damned if I know...

I started with the Modern Quilt Guild, following is their definition:

Modern quilts are primarily functional and inspired by modern design. Modern quilters work in different styles and define modern quilting in different ways, but several characteristics often appear which may help identify a modern quilt. These include, but are not limited to: the use of bold colors and prints, high contrast and graphic areas of solid color, improvisational piecing, minimalism, expansive negative space, and alternate grid work. "Modern traditionalism" or the updating of classic quilt designs is also often seen in modern quilting.

Well, there you have it!

Now armed with this knowledge I searched deep into my creativity vault and found an idea. I begin research - looking at photos, doodling my plan, etc. What's the very first thing my brain wants to do? Yep, make it as realistic as possible and turn it into an art quilt. No! Okay, let's review that definition again (as a starting point). Prints - me, NO! Okay, I'm clinging to the high contrast, graphic areas of solid color, and perhaps minimalism. I can even do the expansive negative space part. But my brain keeps going right back to art as soon as I doodle - my modern is obviously broken.So, if you have any modern advice feel free to throw it at me!