The art of quilting

It all began with a junior high school clothing class, but it didn't end there. After taking the class, it wasn't long before Shelley Brucar became involved with quilting. Soon after, she catapulted the hobby into her own style of a Picasso or Monet.

"I paint on fabric," Brucar said. "My art quilts are not to be used. They're meant to be a hanging on a wall and appreciated for their aesthetic value."

The Buffalo Grove resident said her works are considered art quilts it, meeting the requirements of a quilt by having three layers, including one of batting. However, unlike with a standard quilt, where the batting is used for warmth in bed, Brucar's are more about warmth in the heart.

Her memory art quilts have included meshing a mother's and daughter's wedding dress together, and creating a collection of ties and shirts of a father who passed away. All of which have provided joy and comfort to the recipients.

Brucar's 25-piece collection, "Painting with Cloth," will be on display at the Prairie Center for the Arts in Schaumburg through Jan. 30. The artist's reception will be Sunday.

"The thing that appealed to us about her work is that it's unique," said Betsy Armistead, director of cultural services for the village of Schaumburg. "In our 20-year history, I don't recall ever having something like her art quilts. They are really quite lovely."

The solo exhibit will include "Bridge 1 Turbulent At Times." It depicts a child sitting on the bridge looking into the water. Its message is that through adolescence, those waters can sometimes get choppy.

" 'Stormy' is meant to be a beautiful sunrise in Hawaii," Brucar said. "But other people see other things, like an island or a bed of lava from a volcano. That's what I like about it; it's abstract, so different people see different things."

In "Hiking in Rocky Mountain National Park," Brucar incorporated photos of the sky, water and trees in the area as a background. This is one of many nature-themed offerings of the fiber artist.

"We liked the fact that a lot of Shelley's work focused on nature," Armistead said. "It's a good fit with the Prairie Center, which is located in a picturesque area."

Brucar's one-of-a-kind fiber pieces have been featured at the International Quilt Festival in Houston and in Studio Art Quilt Associates publications, Portfolio 13, and Portfolio 14.

Brucar dazzles her work with items such as beading, photographs, seashells, lockets and love letters. She even put a real earring on the ear of a quilted flamenco dancer, which she considers her most unusual piece.

"I like my quilts to be serene," Brucar said. "I like people to step into the scene and be serene and tranquil."

If you go

What: Shelley Brucar's "Painting With Cloth" exhibit

Artist reception: Sunday, 2-4 p.m.

Exhibit hours: Monday-Friday 8 a.m.-6 p.m. through Jan. 30

Where: Prairie Center for the Arts, 201 Schaumburg Court, Schaumburg

Cost: Free

Call: (847) 923-3601, or visit www.handmade-memories.com