How do you make sense of this? Is it menacing or entertaining? Is it for children? Is it for adults? Is the shape, a monster, an eagle, dancers? On the other side do your eyes pick out the pieces of shadowy cowboys, vibrant Indians? Would your eyes search for the pictures without any clues?

Recollection . Betty Jane Lau
An informal listing of work. Spiraling out from the 'piko'; I weave two quilts that exist as one. Two stories echo, compliment, or debate each other. They are in "syzygy"; forever yoked together. In the tradition of quilts I use thrift store finds, or fabrics gifted to me, or salvaged throw aways; I'm always on the cheap. I question what is considered ugly vs beautiful. And I hope to tease out a story of interest while teasing the eye.
Monday, April 21, 2025
Friday, February 21, 2025
#69. 'Japanese American'. 2025.2. 65.5" x 61.5". Thrift store fabrics, both Japanese and American. Silk, Synthetics, Cotton.
Tweaking the traditional quilt and weaving designs of Japan and America.
I used small bits of Japanese fabrics. They look like they are placed by chance. But no, I learned randomness in design is never random.
American fabric printed to look like already made traditional quilts are torn apart loosing their quilt designs only to be woven into a traditional woven design, the Madras plaid. Below are pictures of the fabrics I tore into 1" widths. They lost all of their individual designs but kept their colors in the madras plaid weave.
Friday, January 24, 2025
Wednesday, January 15, 2025
#68. Young Marimekko / Old Granny. 1/2025. 25" x 32.5" Marimekko scraps, flannel dots, synthetic and cotton. Gifted.
Saturday, September 7, 2024
Tuesday, August 20, 2024
I finally have a wall to display on, stand back and view. Finally the renovation is almost done...over a year later. From working in a bedroom to a studio.
2022: working on the floor of a bedroom, with a dresser and bed crowding me
and wearing a headlamp for lighting.
And a wall to pin to...
Monday, August 12, 2024
Monday, March 25, 2024
Thursday, November 16, 2023
Wednesday, October 25, 2023
It's been a not too brief respite from daily living. Whittling down possessions was harder and longer than expected. Once the renovation is finally completed the unpacking begins. I expect more paring down. But for now I enjoy a nice respite driving 5 hours with a carload and Mr. Ti plant and friends. Peace.
Saturday, October 14, 2023
Tuesday, July 11, 2023
Sunday, May 28, 2023
#65. 'Japanese Boro / American Patchwork'. 5.2023. 65.25" x 62.25". Silk, synthetic Japanese pieces found at a thrift store, cotton traditional patch work quilt topping. SOLD 10/2023
True to both Japanese and American traditions: I used Japanese fabric to patch over the holes in this tattered traditional American quilt topping. 'Boro' in Japanese means 'raggedy', 'tattered', it also refers to the tradition of patching and repairing clothing; usually with indigo dyed cloth. I wove indigo like blue and white strips on the back, echoing the American quilts design on the front. Patches on the back are exactly placed opposite the Japanese silky patches on the front. Even the binding is pieced together.
Thursday, April 27, 2023
Monday, February 27, 2023
#64. 'Hapa - Nigerian Scot'. 2023.2. 64" x 66.5" This is not a woven quilt because it is 2 ply and has no in-between layer "stuffing". My others have 3 or 4 layers, affording 2 presentable different sides. This has identical sides because the fabric themselves are reversible. I call this "identical twins". Wool tartans, cotton African prints. 900.00
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