Last week I told you about my trip to Costa Rica and showed some photos of the decorative ox cart wheels that are an important part of the culture. It might be difficult, at first glance, to look at these awesome designs and figure out how to adapt them for use in a quilt. This week I want to show you images of more wheels and tell you how you can create your own design using some of the techniques that the artisans of Costa Rica use.
Each wheel is divided into 16 wedges. The design is painted onto the wedge and that motif is repeated 15 more times to complete the decorative wheel. Each artist makes their own design, all similar in style but unique to the artist. Notice the wheel shown here. The white lines indicate one of the 16 wedges.
1. This particular design has six circles. Other designs might have more or less. The distance between the circles is arbitrary, according to the artist’s whim. Start with 32 spokes and draw the first part of the design.
2. Increase the spokes to 64 and draw the remaining portions of the design.
3. Make 16 identical wedges to complete the design.
Look at these additional photos of ox cart wheels and see if you can find the “wedge”
The wheels and carts are lovely, I can’t wait to see what Jenny comes up with using her beautiful fabrics! I know it will be breath taking
Hi Jinny, These are so beautiful and loved so much. I used to teach Tole Painting when I lived in Or. And when I saw these carts and wheels I knew oh to well how they were done. I want to thank you for sharing these so much.
Ginny from SoCal
Beautiful cart wheels. I’m amazed by quilters who see such beauty and pattern ideas in the things that surround our lives, whether at home or in another country. I’m hoping to see some beautiful new Jinny Beyer fabrics based on these beautiful cart wheels!
They are beautiful. I have one of the small tea cart sized ones that I bought in the mid 60’s at the factory in Sarchi. Is that where these are from? Theyseem to be even more elaborate now than they were back then.
This is amazing
That is absolutely true. Great explanation about the painting method. Oxen Carts are one of our proudest traditions in Costa Rica. If you like to have an umbrella with an oxen cart design visit our page. http://paradiseproductscr.com/product/costa-rica-umbrella/