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 Diane Mularz
The Rhapsody of Roses ¥ 1997
Information about artist Diana Mularz:
 Diane lives in Falls Church, VA. and she may be
contacted by emailing her at:
needlescape@hotmail.com.
Shows & Exhibits:
Traditional Quilts By Marylanders (Juried Show)
Senate Office Chambers, Annapolis, MD
January –April 1999
Commissioned Work:
Hearts of Maryland, commemorative wall hangings for "Hearts are Wild in
VEGAS" show, 1999.
Awards
Woodlawn Plantation Annual Needlework Exhibit, 3rd place, Adult Amateur, 1991
Woodlawn Plantation Annual Needlework Exhibit, 2nd place, Adult Amateur, 1988
Artistic Statement
Fiber as a medium for artistic expression has always had a place in my life but it was
not until quilting that I discovered an effective form of self expression. And although my
current focus is on the use of fabric in the layered form of quilts, my work often
incorporates other fiber techniques that I have explored to include crochet, needlepoint,
and embroidery. Fiber to me is a never ending palette of not only color, but pattern and
texture. It provides the raw materials for expressing my emotions and thoughts as well as
for interpreting the world around me. My creations include realistic and historically
accurate works depicting a certain time period, event, or place as well as complete
abstractions that serve as vehicles for the exploration of colors, patterns, and textures.
This dichotomy exists in my work because at times a piece of fabric will be the
inspiration for a work and at other times an idea will motivate the search and selection
of fabric. Ultimately it is the ability to escape into a world of needle and thread from
which emerges a unique fiber work that continually draws me to this medium; hence my logo
– needlescape. 
"Rhapsody of Roses" Design
Statement
1997
This quilt was created in response to a contest sponsored by Quilter’s Newsletter
Magazine – the sixth annual international quilt exhibition. The theme of the
competition was "Rhapsody of Roses" and competitors were encouraged to
"create a quilt that celebrates the beauty and romance of roses".
Based on initial research, Rhapsody of Roses became an intriguing and personally
relevant theme for me to interpret as a quilt. A simple dictionary lookup revealed that a
rhapsodist is but another name for a troubadour. Given that I am an amateur recorder
player this theme now took on personal significance. With troubadours as a driving
concept, the time period of interest became the middle ages in Europe. Again, the theme
"blossomed". Rose symbolism and practical usage prevailed in the middle ages in
such diverse disciplines as art, architecture, music, heraldry, and medicine. With such
varied and rich sources to draw upon, the number of elements to be included in the quilt
grew as the research continued. What evolved was the notion of a town scene that would
incorporate many of them: a rose window modeled after the famous North window of the
Chartres cathedral; rhapsodists (troubadours) playing common instruments of the time; and
an apothecary store with the famed Apothecary rose bush growing beside it. The outer
border is formed from a partial rendering of the verse from Rose, liz, printemps - a
classic piece from the famous 15th century composer Mauchaut. While Mauchaut
lived after the troubadours, he was greatly influenced by them. This piece draws analogies
between love and nature, in particular the comparison of the author’s love to a rose,
a common theme of the troubadours.
Rose and musical symbols were further introduced wherever possible into the overall
design: a rose vendor is depicted selling his wares in front of the church, one of the
ladies listening to the troubadours has a rose on her belt, the corners of the quilt are
formed from a rose print fabric, and the clouds in the sky are in the shape and color of
roses. The theme was even extended to the back of the quilt. A rose medallion print forms
the primary background. It was not sufficiently wide to cover the entire body of the quilt
so another fabric imprinted with sheet music was used to extend it to the required width
-thereby uniting the two major elements of the design.
Research was also done to ensure accuracy of costuming and music: the clothing is
predominantly jewel-toned, banded with contrasting colors as typically seen in art from
this period; the women are wearing long dresses accompanied by elaborate headdresses; the
men are dressed in costumes and hats typical of the era. Shoes for a gentleman reflected
his rank in society, indicated by the depth of the curl in the toes. These
"cracows" became so cumbersome for the highest ranking that the shoes had to be
fastened to the stockings; the gentleman is wearing such a shoe as well as one of the
troubadours. Finally, the outer border of the quilt employs a four line musical staff as
opposed to the modern five line and square notes rather than oval are shown emanating from
the musicians.
I hope that you enjoy viewing this quilt as much as I enjoyed creating it.
Diane, thank you so much for sharing your quilt
with our visitors.
Back to the gallery
¥ The Rhapsody of Roses image above is the copyrighted by Diane
Mularz 1997 , and used here with her permission.. Please do not use her image, for
any purpose, without contacting her first. Email Diane at: needlescape@hotmail.com |
Online since
1997