The Resilient Stranger

I moved from the Midwest to the history-rich and diverse world of Virginia. My illustrations reflect the twenty years of having once lived in the town of Vienna, VA. I created historical illustrations within the area, with the awe of the Historic Energy always reminding me of a bygone era. The town has a long and illustrious history dating back to the eighteenth century. The Freeman Store has been a store, home, train depot, hotel, hospital, fire department, and an officers’ quarter on both sides of the Civil War. The Presbyterian Church (built in 1874) was originally organized by nine members, seven of which were women. The church still continues services today. Shortly before I moved there in the mid-1990s, the Red Caboose was unveiled for Vienna’s 100th birthday: it could have served the Washington & Old Dominion (W&OD) Railway within the area. Reflections of another time still seem to linger in the air.

I digitally scanned and arranged my original pen/ink and pencil drawings that I created while watching Civil War reenactors with my computer software then printed them onto cotton fabric. They were lightly painted with white fabric paint-dye to give an airy and lingering appeal. I machine free-motion quilted with cotton thread then completed the art quilt with pierced border binding. Materials include: fabric dyes; paints and pencils; cotton fabric and thread.

Lana Dragon: I received a BFA from The Ohio State University and attended two years of independent study at the Chicago Institute of Art and the American Academy of Art in Chicago. I soon developed my own style and skill with the diverse media of clay. I created hundreds of traditional works and clay art using my illustrations and photography screened directly onto the clay. I taught ceramics for thirteen years and conducted several traditional Japanese Raku Firing workshops. Moving near the DC area, I became a graphic illustrator for commercial/corporate and government agencies. I also grew from clay into cloth to learn traditional quilt making. I have completed several themed art-quilt series, featured in Quilting Arts magazine, and I have had numerous exhibitions. My love of creating and sharing art quilts continues.