Article archive / April 1, 2013
Originally published: . Volume 4, No. 8. Source pages: 14.
The Times caught up with Dr. Kim VanGeffen at one of the board meetings and she happened to have handy some of her current work.
She is working on a cross-stitch piece (see photo) of New Orleans architecture. The images will characterize the houses of the city. From top row left to right are Creole Townhouse, Creole Townhouse Business-Residential, and Italiante House. From the middle row left to right are Greek Revival Shotgun, Victorial House, and Creole Cottage. And from bottom row left to right are Victorian Shotgun, Creole Cottage, Victorian Shotgun Double.
She has also been making some Easter art, including the YoYo Bunny and Chick (see photo) she and friends made for the recent International Quilting Day. She and her friends also created some Easter eggs from scraps of felt, ribbon, sequins and beads, Kim said.
Kim has greatly enjoyed making quilts and has followed the time honored tradition of quilters world wide; creating works of folk art that embrace meaning, memories and the traditions of one’s family or group, and that last through generations.
The first quilt Kim ever made was a lap quilt in various shades of blue that she gave to her mother at Christmas 1981. After her mother died, the quilt came back to Kim. She told the Times, “I am thrilled to have it.”
She has enjoyed craft activities since a young girl, starting in Brownies and Girl Scouts. “When I was in high school,” she said, “my mother and several of her friends opened a needlework shop in New Orleans. They featured crafts such as needlepoint, counted cross-stitch, knitting and quilting. I began to take classes and fell in love with all of these creative activities.” In recent years, Kim has done mostly counted cross-stitch and quilting. “I find these activities to be very relaxing because they absorb your full attention.”
Decompressing is an important task in modern life. Kim’s hobby not only provides her an outlet for creativity and a little precious solitude, but works well for putting the concerns of a busy, dedicated psychologist away for some well-deserved leisure time.
Folk artist Dr. Kim VanGeffen displays some of her current work, a piece that contains images of New Orleans architect. From top row left to right are Creole Townhouse, Creole Townhouse Business-Residential, and Italiante House. From the middle row left to right are Greek Revival Shotgun, Victorial House, and Creole Cottage. And from bottom row left to right are Victorian Shotgun, Creole Cottage, Victorian Shotgun Double.
Kim created this YoYo Bunny and Chick to celebrate International Quilting Day and Easter with some quilting friends. (Courtesy photo)
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