Ricky Tims Convergence Quilts

”…The word ‘convergence’ jumped out at me. What was it doing on the front of a quilt book? What a great word. Especially when followed by the terms: mysterious, magical, EASY, and fun. My kind of quilt project for this lazy weekend. Thus I opened Ricky Tim’s book: Convergence Quilts. In truth I’ve been looking for something to hang on the bare walls, something not too wild, but a little modern, a little artsy, a little different. Since we’re living within a no-frills budget at this time, something I could make with what I already own, seemed the way to go. Ricky seemed to think I could do a convergence quilt. He nudged, ‘In my experience, ’ he wrote in the book, ‘the most successful way to learn is to move past idle curiosity to actual exploration and experimentation.’ He further nudged by suggesting that these quilts go together quickly and take up little time…Ricky’s examples were mostly made using hand dyed fabrics and his finished products had a delightful artsy feel to them. Modern, perfect for my house. I used none such fabrics. I read, followed directions, probably messed up one step at least, and proceeded happily zipping my little rotary cutter along fabric after fabric, stitching, reading, ironing, and then imagining. What I had created looked like a background. I added borders. I knew I had some fusible interfacing so I cut out some silhouettes from black fabric and ironed them on. And suddenly I have something that makes me smile. Will it win awards? No. Ricky addresses worries about making MY quilt verses one that looks like those made by award winners. He seems to stress just having fun with the project. Enjoying the process as well as the end product. I like this guy. I like the idea of making a quilt while wearing a cowboy hat. And I like the way he combines beautiful words, music, (harmonic convergence) and quilts…“–Dawn “Subversive Stitchers: Women Armed with Needles”

Ricky Tims successfully blends two diverse passions into one very unique and interesting career. Thousands who have heard his music affirm his skills as a pianist, composer, and producer. His success as a quilter is equally significant.

He is known in the international world of quilting as an enthusiastic and encouraging teacher, an award-winning quilter, and a talented and spellbinding speaker. His innovative and entertaining presentations feature live music and humor combined with scholarly insights and wisdom. His quilts have been displayed worldwide, and are highly regarded as excellent examples of contemporary quilts with traditional appeal. He is currently the co-host of The Quilt Show, an internet-based show for quilters that also features Alex Anderson.

Ricky began designing and making quilts in 1991. In 2002, he was selected as one of “The Thirty Most Distinguished Quilters in the World.” He maintains an international schedule of teaching and speaking engagements, presents Ricky Tims’ Super Quilt Seminars in select cities throughout the United States, and holds week-long retreats in La Veta, a tiny mountain town located in south-central Colorado. He and life partner Justin Shults own Tims Art Quilt Studio and Gallery, a space dedicated to promoting quilting as art.

Ricky is passionate about quilting, and is delighted to share his experience and enthusiasm with quilters of every level of expertise. He is challenged by creativity in all forms, and encourages individuals to cultivate self-expression, reach for the unreachable, and believe in the impossible.

Quilting is a relatively new interest compared to Ricky’s lifelong passion for music. He began formal music lessons at the age of three. He is a pianist, conductor, composer, arranger, music producer, and performing artist. Tims’ music is neither classical, new age, pop, nor world, and yet it could fall under any of those classifications.

Sacred Age, Ricky’s newest recording, was released in January 2006. The album project, featuring solo piano infused with Native American instruments, string orchestra, and vocal orchestrations, was created to suggest the beauty, majesty, and spirit of the Spanish Peaks region of southern Colorado. Tims’ music has wide appeal for a diverse audience and has been described as “George Winston meets Carlos Nakai meets Yanni.”