"Sketches from the Velvet Lounge"
From the mid 1980's to 2010, my husband and I frequented the Velvet lounge in Chicago, home of live innovative Jazz. This was one of those places that seemed permanent, historic: a school for young musicians and a home for experimentation. I would sit in the dark and sketch the musicians. By the time the Velvet closed, I had about 100 sketches in various notebooks. I put them aside until recently, and decided it was time to gather them together as a tribute to the many master musicians, some now deceased. I transferred the drawings to fabric using my home printer. I tried to give an impression of the distinctive wall paper with a stamper I carved. I included the pendulous chandelier, and the African-print curtains. This became a quilt, finally finished in November of 2025.
I will post information on where it will be shown soon.
Nicole Mitchell
