Katherine Marotta - The Village Common of RI

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Village Voices is the showcase of creativity by the members and volunteers of The Village Common of Rhode Island. We welcome submissions in all media: 2- and 3-dimensional art, creative writing, transformative ideas, crafting, and art collections. As important is the personal stories that accompany each submission.

See the guidelines for submission.

Katherine Marotta

Katherine Marotta has been labeled as a New Englander, a New Yorker, and an 'Americana' when living out of country. Her career as an educator and social worker supported her commitment and belief in public service. Her simple pleasures today are sharing opinions and thoughts all while participating in The Village Common of Rhode Island’s film, writing, and book groups. Gifting her personalized quilts and volunteering as a virtual tutor keeps her mind, hands, and heart connected.

Artist's Statement: Always loving to craft and meeting challenges I started quilting somewhere in my sixth decade. I move along from knitting, basket weaving, painting, macrame, sewing, and jewelry, while learning from a book and using my hands. My first quilt was a simple runner and my second a full king size bed quilt. My first sweater was a baby sweater and my second an Irish knit full of fancy complicated stitches. I learn. I create. I gift. So far I've made 52 quilts all personalized and gifted. About ten I have kept for myself.

Crafting and giving has always been a passion. Once one learns the skills then one can create. Transforming fabric to a beautiful warm blanket or strings to a belt, plant holder or moving two long needles and transforming a ball of yarn into a warm cozy sweater, boggles my mind. I believe anyone can do it.

I present my two challenging yet favorite personal quilts for you to see

First is my Batik Quilt. It is hand dyed, batik fabric. It’s huge: a king-size bed spread that measures ten by nine feet. It represents my long life-journey. Starting from the evening moon and moving to the morning sun. It flows along just like my life passages. There is color and variety from dark to light. With it I present my poem, Found Steps

Found Steps

Wavering blindfolded

Facing darkness alone

When restriction released

Adjusting into forest unknown

Mirrored trees stood

Standing tight

Shining shadowy glimmers

Sight needing more light

Difficult without

A dancing butterfly

A buzzing bee

A fabulous bird in the sky

Walking slowly

Searching with stumble

Hands reaching

Feeling ever so humble

A clearing then light

Glowing guiding trust

Steps found through the forest

Only truth being...one must

Second is my African Quilt. I was privileged to go on safari and visit a Maasai village. In this qjuilt, the many small pieces and patterns are of beautiful African jewel-toned fabric that measures four by five feet. With it, I present three photos and another poem, Tribal.

Tribal

Her head properly shaved, Naserian

The peaceful one

Offering her earrings

Her gift gracious

Naserian's essence tribal

Standing in the Maasai village

Enkang, circular thick thorned fence

Surrounding the Manyattas, small huts

One she made from dung and mud

Hair braided, her warrior husband

Sironka, the pure one

Counting cattle to show his wealth

Leboo, the tall son

Born in the bush

High jumping to be chief

Robed in red, father and son

With spears and tradition

Gently herding cattle and goats

Sister, Lankenua, the lucky one

Will build a hut and marry

Being circumcised at twelve

Adorned with beaded jewels, mother and daughter

Milking cows, fetching water

Serving men

A healthy family

Sharing maize, milk and blood

Believing in one god, and no after life

Colored beads and red blankets

Blue, of rain and sky

Red, energizing with vibrant strength

Green, of fertility,

White, of peace

Yellow and orange, offering hospitality

Naserian, a tribal woman gives

A white woman receives

Standing in a Maasai village