Introducing Resist Rest Resolve Repeat

Resist, Rest. Resolve Repeat, 75 X 75 inch red and white log cabin quilt by O.V. Brantley, 2025. Machine quilted by Maxine Moore. NFS.

My new red and white quilt series celebrates women who are bodacious, beautiful and brilliant. I call that the total package. The series is inspired by barn quilts because I am a country girl at heart, and I love barn quilt art. For each quilt, I imagine one tradition quilt block in red and white that must be very big, so all of the quilts in the series are approximately 68 X 68 inches or larger. But wait, my quilts must always have a message, so I imagine a life message inspired by the traditional name of quilt block.

The second quilt in the series is a log cabin block. The log cabin block historically has represented home and hearth. The message I wanted to convey in this quilt is that rest is just as important as resistance for success. So the name of the quilt became Resist Rest Resolve Repeat.

It seems it is in our DNA not to rest. According to historical records, Sarah Gudger was interviewed at age 121 for the WPA Slave Narratives, Buncombe County, NC. She told the interviewer, “No, I never knowed what it was to rest.” How sad is that.

Resist Rest Resolve Repeat measures 75 X 75 inches. I used fused applique to add the words “Resist Rest Resolve Repeat” to the quilt. The quilt ends with an African floral border to further reinforce the concept of home and rest.

The back of the quilt is a black and white African print. There is a hanging sleeve for easy display and and label that documents the quilt.

I signed it on the front and added a scales of justice charm to pay homage to my legal career which I hope I practices with bodaciousness, beauty and brilliance.

I plan to exhibit this series of quilts in late 2026.