About Perlie Petrillo

My birth name is Phyllis, but I go by a fun nickname: Perlie.  It was given to me by my husband shortly after we met through a personal ad (25 years ago).  He said I was the Perle of his life.

 I’ve always been passionate about art.  I’ve tried watercolors, charcoal, and acrylic painting, and then found my true passion (art quilting)!  I’ve tried several media, but my favorite is creating my own fabric with painting, dyes, and surface design techniques (shibori, discharging, overdying, and gel plates.  I enjoy incorporating these new textiles into my art quilts, and wearable art.

I’m an active member in the Studio Art Quilt Association (SAQA) and chair several major events within this organization.  I have participated in multiple art shows and have won awards at State and National levels.  I’ve been featured in Fiber Art Magazine and IOWA Museum of Art, awarded Best in Show in Broward Gallery in Ft. Lauderdale, and recently have had a solo show at Gallery 6 in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida.   

Perlie was born in a small village in Tuckahoe, New York.  Her grandparents migrated to Tuckahoe, New York  from Avellino, Italy in 1900.  The draw to Tuckahoe, New York was the marble quarries which offered work for my grandfather.

 She grew up in the home her grandfather built, along with her parents, and grandparents, until she left for college.    

 Every day her mama sent her to the store with a quarter in her pocket to buy a fresh loaf of Italian bread for dinner.  (After all, every Italian needs a fresh loaf of Italian bread at each dinner).  This quilt shown below is Perlie riding home from the store with the Italian bread in her basket. 

 Her mama gave her a whole quarter, and she was allowed to spend the change (3 cents) on penny candy!.  She rode her brother’s bicycle, which she only got to ride because he got a new one so the hand-me-down became hers.  The ride was along a route with beautiful trees lining the street, overlapping each other creating an arch before the opening.  She imagined  they were  knights in shining armor, holding up their swords for her to pass through, like a queen.  The quilt is named appropriately  ‘Her Honor Guard’

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