Thank you.

Merry Christmas, 36 x 36 inches, by O.V. Brantley, 2002

I hope you will continue to follow me at ovbrantleyquiltstudio.com. 

Meanwhile . . .

Happy Holidays!

Evora’s Earth, 85 x 96 inches, by O.V. Brantley, 2001

My life overflows with blessings. I am trying to acknowledge each one them.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Strength From My Ancestors, 43×50 inch art quilt by O.V Brantley, 2016. For sale at ovbrantleyquilts.com

There is a saying in my community that you can’t know where you are going unless you know where you have been.

The National Museum of African American History opened this weekend in Washington, DC. after many years of hoping, planning and preparation. I haven’t visited the museum yet, but I can’t wait to get there.

Meanwhile, I am left to my own memories and reflections. Such reflections inspired my quilt Strength From My Ancestors.

Take a moment to honor your heritage and move it forward.

First Lady, 28×42 inch art quilt by O.V Brantley, 2016.

Each August my life is filled with joy and gratitude as my friends and I host  the Atlanta Quilt Festival. The 2016 edition of the Atlanta Quilt Festival ended yesterday. By all measures it was a huge success. Thank you for your support!

From the standing room only opening reception to sold out classes, trunk shows and workshops, participation exceeded all expectations. More people than ever visited the exhibit.

I had several quilts in the exhibit, but the new one you could not have seen before the Festival is First Lady. If you did not get to see it in person, enjoy!

Here are the other quilts I had in the exhibit at South Fulton Arts Center.

Give Yourself a Dream Flower, 38×40 inch art quilt, by O.V. Brantley, 2016. For sale at ovbrantleyquilts.com.

Disagreement, 36×48 inch quilt by O.V. Brantley, 2016.

Give Yourself a Flower Garden, 60×60 inch appliqué quilt by O.V. Brantley, 2016.

Star of Mu, 60×60 inch quilt by O.V. Brantley, 2016.

Give Yourself a Wild Flower, 36×45 inch art quilt by O.V. Brantley, 2016. For sake at ovbrantleyquilts.com

My Give Yourself Flowers series of quilts is intended to remind me (and those who love my quilts) to always be good to myself. Too often we wait for others to make our lives magical. I say it is my responsibility to make my life magical.

Lest I forget that lesson, I have added two magical flower quilts to my collection. They are Give Yourself a Dream Flower and Give Yourself a Wild Flower. Both are listed for sale in my studio store.

Enjoy!

Give Yourself a Dream Flower, 38×40 inch art quilt, by O.V. Brantley, 2016. For sale at ovbrantleyquilts.com.

Sunday Morning, 72×82 inch quilt by O.V. Brantley, 2016.

Quiet time is so important. Each morning I try to set aside some time to center myself. I reflect on the things for which I am grateful. I try to dig deep to find my best self. I analyze pros and cons to try to make the best decisions.

My quilt Sunday Morning is intended to capture those moments in my life — quiet, calm, deeply thoughtful.

Do you make time for quietness in your life?

Back of Sunday Morning

Sunday Morning closeup

Closeup of the back of Sunday Morning

Grateful Journey, 60 x 70 inch lap quilt, by O.V. Brantley, 2015.

Sometimes staff members are just too special to let them leave for a new job without a quilt. Such is the case with Trumondia Williams. Tru was part of my staff in the DeKalb County Attorney’s Office for three years. Everyday she showed up with joy and gratitude.

We in the DeKalb County Attorney’s Office will never forget Tru. I wanted to make sure she did not forget us,  so I gave her my quilt Grateful Journey. We wish her great success in her new travel agency Travel Divas.

Trumondia Williams and O.V. Brantley with “Grateful Journey”.

Blue Heart, 44 x 52 inches, by O.V. Brantley, 2012.

Assistant DeKalb County Attorney Bennett Bryan argued a case on behalf of the DeKalb County Tax Commissioner before the Georgia Court of Appeals. This was no ordinary argument however. The Court was sitting at the University of Georgia where Bennett received his law degree. I am sure it is an experience that Bennett will never forget, but to make sure he never forgets, I gave him my quilt Blue Heart to mark the occasion.

Bennett Bryan and O.V. Brantley with “Blue Heart”.

Be Brilliant, 48 x 48 inch art quilt by O.V. Brantley, 2014.

Senior Assistant DeKalb County Attorney Terri Gordon argued her first case before the Georgia Supreme Court recently.  The case involved the death of a citizen who died after being arrested and transported to the hospital by law enforcement officials.

The Court streamed the argument live for all to see. Teri did a great job! Now we affectionately call her a rock star.

I am sure it is an experience that Terri will never forget, but to make sure she never forgets, I gave her my quilt Be Brilliant to mark the occasion.

Teri Gordon and O.V. Brantley with “Be Brilliant”.