My art is about color; it warms my heart and sings to my soul.
After many years of exploring different art techniques and a great number of crafts; everything from basket making to pottery without satisfying my need to create in1983 I returned to the needles, thread and cotton fabrics that had been a part of my life since childhood. Dispite not being born into a family of quiltmakers, I found myself drawn to the geometric shapes and colors that transformed pieces of cloth into functional beauty.
After many years of exploring different art techniques and a great number of crafts; everything from basket making to pottery without satisfying my need to create in1983 I returned to the needles, thread and cotton fabrics that had been a part of my life since childhood. Dispite not being born into a family of quiltmakers, I found myself drawn to the geometric shapes and colors that transformed pieces of cloth into functional beauty.
However much my art is about color; composition and texture are also important aspects of my art work too. Most of my quilts are concept driven and are based on nature. Flowers are my favorite subject. Each piece begins with a sketch or a photograph and I find great joy in knowing I can construct in fabric the images I see in my head.
I dye my own cotton and silk fabrics but I don't use them exclusively. I will, when the design dictates, incorporate pieces of purchased commercial cotton cloth using it as is, or I might deconstruct it and change it by discharging the color, or I might overdying it to alter the color or I might add more interest to it with acrylic paint.
I use the quilt form because my art is an outgrowth of the skills I gained making traditional quilts and from the knowledge I began acquiring in 1982. My art is constructed with at least three layers and stitched through with "quilting stitches". These stitches while adding an asthetic element to the work are necessary for the construction as well. In 1991 the functional aspects of the quilt I make was left behind when the desire for originality struck and I began creating quilts of my own design with the sole purpose of displaying them on walls. Because my quilts don't need to be physically comforting I can fore go softness to achieve the look I want.
I use the quilt form because my art is an outgrowth of the skills I gained making traditional quilts and from the knowledge I began acquiring in 1982. My art is constructed with at least three layers and stitched through with "quilting stitches". These stitches while adding an asthetic element to the work are necessary for the construction as well. In 1991 the functional aspects of the quilt I make was left behind when the desire for originality struck and I began creating quilts of my own design with the sole purpose of displaying them on walls. Because my quilts don't need to be physically comforting I can fore go softness to achieve the look I want.
In constructing my art I will use a variety of techniques which include traditional and contemporary piecing, traditional and contemporary appliqué, screen printing, as well as direct applications of thickened dyes with brushes in a painterly fashion.
I work primarily with saturated colors, but will vary the hues intensity. To achieve a measured amount of realism l enhances my floral images with machine stitched free motion embroidery, quilting stitches, permanent inks and artist pigments.
I work primarily with saturated colors, but will vary the hues intensity. To achieve a measured amount of realism l enhances my floral images with machine stitched free motion embroidery, quilting stitches, permanent inks and artist pigments.
Thank you for visiting my website. My work is for sale and I welcome commissions. Contact me
Come back soon.
Follow my not quite daily doings on http://artquiltworks.blogspot.com
