When You Pass Through the Waters

READ Isaiah 43:1-7

FROM THE ARTIST | Lisle Gwynn Garrity

When we began working on our Advent theme, we were inspired by the storied tradition of quilting. Though I am not a textile artist—and can hardly use a sewing machine—I turned to the fabric medium I enjoy: painting with ink dyes and gold resist on silk. As I read through my assigned scriptures for this series, I created a list of the images and patterns I found in my texts: water, fire, spirit, fruit trees, mountains, stars, sky. Then, I stretched my silk and began to paint, creating a series of 6 small banners.

Next, I moved into a digital space. I photographed my silk banners and then began drawing quilt patterns with my stylus pen onto my iPad, collaging the photos of my silk paintings into the designs. As I digitally stitched together patterns and geometric shapes, I realized I was quilting, just in my own unique way.

This piece is meant to be a visual prayer,…