Originality, color, and artistic expression attract me to the contemporary art quilts. I enjoy the sculptural qualities of the fiber medium. The touch of the fabrics, sculpting through free-motion quilting and adding surface embellishments. Each layer on the surface, piecing, quilting, beading … adds another dimension to the story. Each layer changes the character of the overall piece.
Some people are ‘design people,’ who plan extensively before beginning a piece. I’m a process person and a finisher. I love the whole process of quilting making from the beginning, but I rarely begin a work with the finished piece already in mind. I rely on intuition to carry an idea or theme, and then let the materials inspire me. I use a variety of techniques in my works including reverse appliqué, fusing, piecing, extensive machine quilting and various embellishment techniques.
I take true enjoyment out of the free motion quilting and embellishment stages of each work. For me, embellishment is my last opportunity to add to the overall idea or story and reflect on what the end result has become. I love to add sparkles and textures. Beads and found objects sewn or glued to an art quilt give it a touchable texture and the level of detail I like.
My works emerge through process of ideas and revisions. Inspiration is gathered from nature, religious topics, literature, quotations and uncomplicated shapes. I am currently working on a new series of works to stretch my perception of shape in my artwork. The Off the Wall series focuses on this aspect. These art quilts have titles such as Slightly Askew, Catawampus, Bent Out of Shape, Entropy, Somewhat Off-Center and Out of Control. Another new series, These Hands, explores the creative process and the artist behind them.
