Color! Texture! Movement! Using Repurposed Materials!
Author: Ann
Ann Baldwin May was born and raised in Palo Alto, California. She received her education from University of California, Irvine (History, BA Elementary Teaching Credential, Masters in Teaching Spanish) Her first quilting class was in 1975. She retired in 2012 after working 30 years as a bilingual teacher and Bilingual Resource Teacher in Watsonville.
After making over 300 bed quilts, she turned her attention to art quilts. Ann is passionate about using repurposed materials often from the San Francisco Design Center. She has won several awards for her work. Kaiser Permanente has purchased five pieces for their Santa Cruz County facilities. Her work has been juried into shows all over the country including San Francisco and Chicago. She participates in the juried Santa Cruz County Open Studios Art Tour.
She is married and has two daughters.
Ann Baldwin May
Santa Cruz Art Center, 1001 Center St.#4 Santa Cruz, CA 95060
baldwinmay49@yahoo.com
831.345.1466
annbaldwinmayartquilts.com
Facebook- AnnBaldwinMayArtQuilts@annbaldwinmay
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Clearly, political quilts have a long tradition. For example,quilters have long used fabric to express their political feelings and thoughts. However,the current time is no different. For example,one quilter recently embroidered the former president’s tweets onto a quilt.In short,to hand sew the president’s comments took more persistence and fortitude than I have.
A Politics-Free Zone
Above all,as a politically aware person in these recent years, my art became a refuge of comfort from the news.In other words, a politics-free zone. Most importantly,I had spent my career teaching underserved marginalized groups. In addition,I created fair situations for all genders and nationalities to learn. Similarly, getting students to blossom and prosper is in my bones.
However,during the shelter in place, I remembered that I had done some earlier political quilts. After that, I looked through my photo files, In short,I surprised myself by the number of political quilts I had made.
Before I was an Artist
I had quilted for many years. Yet,I mark my art quilt career as beginning in 2010. However,I found several political quilts that I made before that date. For example,in 1969, I had a green Ecology Action Flag decal on my small green car. Clearly,this piece is a reminder of that. Ecology Action began in my home town, Palo Alto,California.
Ecology Flag,2008, 33 ” x 26″
Whimsical Quilts
First of all,Bamanos, Let’s Go With Obama celebrates the election of the first Black president of the United States. Clearly, it is a nod to Spanish, vamanos(Let’s go) and Obama at the same time. What a fun whimsical quilt!
Bamanos, Let’s Go With Obama,2009, 33″ x 30″
This whimsical quilt, Teaching the Toughest Job You’ll Ever Love was created in 2009. Clearly the teaching is a difficult job. We don’t need politicians telling educators how to teach.
In retrospect,I originally thought these quilts were small.They are much smaller than the double size bed quilts I had been making.
Teaching the Toughest Job You’ll Ever Love,2009, 33″ x 30″
2010-2014
Clearly,my first art quilts celebrated travel as an enriching activity. For example, I traveled to Europe yet I met Africans, Iranians and Israelis among others. Furthermore the conversations that I had with them gave me a better understanding of their views. Their experiences in the world were different too. People are people. But at times,we see things differently. In short,I wanted to celebrate meeting people.
African fabrics
Similarly,one of my first art quilts,Travel Enriches used African fabrics.
Travel Enriches, 2010, 42″ x 42″, $2100.
Likewise, African Crabs does too.
African Crabs, 2010,26″ x 26″ $1500. fabric art quilt
Black and White Quilts and a Pop
In 2010 I made I also made, Together, We All Win. A figure made of international fabrics lies on a black and white background.
Together, We All Win, 2010, 50″ x 33″, art quilt
Clearly, Girls Play was a tip of the hat to Title 9 that extended all rights to girls in athletics. However, this opportunity was unavailable when I attended high school.
Girls Play,2010, 35′ x 38″ $2100.
Mexican Folk Dancing
For example,with Homage to a Dancer (2009) and Market Day I wanted to express the color and movement of Mexican Folk Dancing.Similarly, they honor women.Yet,I wanted a male representative. Furthermore,men dance in El Danzante de Los Viejitos from Michoacan, Mexico.
Market Day,2009, 56″ x 45″$3100.
In Conclusion
To summarize,when one honors underrepresented peoples as I have with my quilts, then I am definitely making political quilts.
Recently someone mentioned to me at my studio that she had some fabric that she had had for a long time. She suggested that she should get rid of it solely for the reason that she hadn’t used it. While we all have our own rules of engagement, that is not one of mine. If I like a fabric I will keep it until I can find a good project for it. In this posting I share examples of using fabrics saved for a long time.
Using Saved Fabrics
As soon that visitor commented on her long saved fabrics, I lead her to see this recently completed piece. I explained that I had had the fabric with wavy yellow, green and turquoise lines for a long time. I could not remember where or when I had gotten it.
Over the years I would try to see if it fit in other quilts. But each time I put it back on the shelf. Often this whimsical fabric didn’t fit the style or mood of the piece or maybe the color wasn’t just right. Here, however, everything works;the colors, the movement, the whimsical style.
Sunset Through the Forest random piecesSunset Through the Forest, an art quil
ATLAS in Rose
I recently completed the abstract art quilt, ATLAS in Rose. The rose, reddish rose and gold fabric is a high quality fabric that I had had for a long time. Yet I hadn’t used it. The red and rose colors would not play well with other colors. In spite of that, I kept it. Luckily, I did. Because it went perfectly with this black and white scientifically inspired art quilt. It added color and just the right amount of movement to the art quilt.
rose and gold fabricATLAS in Rose , finished art quilt
Fabric with Small Boxes
The following red, yellow and green fabric with small boxes is another piece that I liked. I didn’t know how I would use it. But I had to have it. The colors and movement spoke to me. I ended up for saving it for many years. In Cactus Dreams, the colors fit. The geometric boxes mirror the checks in the Guatemalan and in the checkerboard fabrics.
fabric with green,yellow,red and boxesCactus Dreams,detail,abstract art quiltCactus Dreams,abstract art quilt
In Conclusion
I finished these three art quilts in the past year. Without realizing it, I probably mentioned to the visitor that I had used some saved fabric. Thankfully, I had kept the fabric. Because they worked perfectly!
More than ever Etsy shops list an incredible number of unique handmade and vintage items. If you shop Etsy you will find joy. Art quilts are listed on my site. Currently, I have also listed vintage items from my family. I have kept some of my own pieces for so long they are now vintage. http://annbmayartquilts.etsy.com/
A Funny Story
Back in the 1970’s, the Bob Newhart Show was a popular sitcom. I remember a funny setup. His receptionist dates an older man. She goes to his apartment for the first time. She says, “I love what you have done with these antiques.” Her date answers,”Thank you. They weren’t antiques when I bought them.” Similarly,I am there now.
Sadly the Shop Etsy Find Joy videos are no longer available.
Vintage Clothing
Vintage clothing is at least twenty years old. Similarly,recent listings include vintage clothing and vintage jewelry. Many of these are one owner items. They come from the closets of my grandmother, mother and mother in law or myself. Many items from the 1940 to the 1980s.
I made this jacket for myself. First I sewedthe fabrics together. Then I cut out the pattern. I wore the jacket several times. Then I realised that I am not a jacket person. I much prefer sweaters or a warm hooded coat. May someone else enjoy wearing this piece!
Assemblage – 3D Collages
During the pandemic shut downs, I created some assemblage pieces. They are 3D collages. Some are art in a box. Similarly, due to the smaller size they are minimalist. I inherited several antique keys that I added to my pieces.
American Civil Liberties Union -ACLU and my Father
The American Civil Liberties Union(ACLU) helped my father. It was founded in 1920 by a group of forward thinkers to protect the individual’s rights guarenteed by the Constitution. Roger Baldwin was one of those people.
My father, Norman B. Levy was born that same year in New York State. He was the first born of Russian immigrants. I had grown up hearing that Norman had changed his name to Baldwin in order to get into college. I knew that Roger Baldwin and he had some kind of a relationship. What that relationship was, remained unclear to me.
Norman Baldwin formerly Norman B. Levy
A Life Well Lived
Sadly,my father passed in 2015 after a long life of success built on his educational opportunities. As for many of his generation,World War II interrupted his life. He had graduated from college before the war. My parents married before he shipped out for the South Seas. Upon return, he attended Stanford Business School on the G.I Bill. Then my parents settled in Palo Alto. They raised their family there while my father developed his real estate business.
How my Father came to Change his Name
A number of years ago, I finally asked my father exactly how it came to be that he changed his name. The details were not clear as to when the name change had exactly happened.
This is what my father told me. He was about 90 at the time. Thank goodness he had lived long enough for me to finally ask him.
At about age 18, Norman applied to the University of Rochester in New York. My father had always been a great student. He had skipped two grades. Skipping grades was common in those days. His Aunt Minnie had said that he could live with her in Rochester. But that school didn’t accept my father.
Disappointed, Norman asked Roger Baldwin why he thought he hadn’t gotten in. Roger said, ”Maybe it was because of your name, Levy.” There was a quota for Jews at that time at the universities. Like any 18 year old, Norman said,” Well, okay then I’ll change my name. What name should I take?” He asked Roger. Roger answered, “Any name. ” “Okay, then I’ll take your name, Baldwin” and he did.
Roger Baldwin and My Father
I had always heard that Norman and Roger Baldwin knew each other. When my father passed, I found quite a few letters that proved the friendship. The letters were only onesided of course, only being from Roger. However, it was clear that they knew each other quite well. They had great respect for each other.
Moreover, Roger seemed to have access to money that could be made available for scholastic purposes. He encouraged my father to take advantage of these funds. Roger seemed quite warm and free with his compliments of my father. Roger Baldwin visited our home about 1954.
Our Past was not Shared
I was the second child born, a baby boomer in 1950. Our family was not religious at all. My parents never spoke of their childhoods. As a teenager, when I asked about our family history. Where we had come from? The answer was usually, “Why do you want to know about that? It was not a good place. “
Yet, my father knew Yiddish and Hebrew. My mother always wrote to my grandfather in Yiddish even though he DID speak English fairly well. Now I realize that my experience is not that unusual for children of immigrants and that the parents were trying to protect us in the conformist 1950s.
The Unitarian Church
When I asked about church and religion, my father took me to the Unitarian Church. In junior high and high school,I was very active in their youth groups. I became a junior member. Much later I was married by a Unitarian minister. My uncle and his family were fairly religious. They went to the Jewish temple.
However,I had never understood where the Unitarian connection had come from.Yet, when I recently googled Roger Baldwin, it said that he was a Unitarian. That made sense. Just another way in which Roger Baldwin had postively influenced my father and my family.
The Rest of the Story
Instead of attending the University of Rochester, Norman went to Albany State Teachers College later renamed New York State University at Albany. That was where he met my mother, Louise. They shared 60 years together. So it all turned out fine. And of course, Norman and Louise named their son after Roger.
Although Roger Baldwin is not a blood relative, I feel that he is still part of my family. The ACLU and founding member,Roger Baldwin has a lasting affect on my Father and his family.
Ann Baldwin May wrote Develop Your Art Style as a potential Zoom talk at a NorCal /Southern Nevada Regional Meeting of the International Art quilters organization,SAQA. Although this post’s original audience was art quilters, many of the points apply to all forms of artists. Especially artists who are just beginning to put themselves and their art out into the world.
Introduction
Ann Baldwin May developed her art style to become a quilt artist. Ms. May reinvented herself in retirement. Her art friends call her resilient, a prolific artist and a master at social media. She was accepted into the New York Art Center in Tribeca in 2019.
Splendid Fairy Wren, 30″ h x 25″ w, an abstract art quilt
Develop Your Art Style
How to develop your own art style? Do you want to make a career out of art ? Do you want to sell items that you make? Is your goal to be in a museum? These decisions are part of the process. An answer does not need to be made right away. Only one person can make these decisions. It is YOU. In the beginning,I would visit shows and see no art quilts that looked like mine. At first, I worried about this, but then I realized that it was a good thing. I had my own unique style. I focussed on developing it more.
Honing your Craft
Develop your skill set .This will be your bag of tricks that you will draw from.What skills are you good at? What skills do you like to use while making your art? Use these to develop your own style.
Classes are great but at some point one has to work on developing their own style.
Attend SAQA (Studio Art Quilt Associates) conferences. The workshops offer great advice for all steps of your career.
Celebrating Fall 33″h x 31″ w
Putting Yourself Out There
The 20th century model for art and many things was make or do great work. Then the world would come to you. The 21st century model is different. Each person needs to let the world know what they are doing. This can be difficult for some of us to do. However,I found this phrase helpful when I started out. Hi, I am shamelessly promoting my work. This phrase shows that it is uncomfortable yet it still needs to be done.
Let people know what you are doing. Share with your friends and the groups you are in. They will be a big support for you especially in the beginning.
Start a list of people who want to hear from you. Gather names and emails at each show you participate in. Use it to notify people of what you are doing. I do a monthly newsletter about where I am showing my art or what I am making.
What is your digital footprint? If someone sees your work and googles you, what will they see? What do you want to see when you google an artist? A website announces to the world that you are serious about your art. Online sale sites are growing. Besides sales, I have gotten commissions from my Etsy shop. I was also contacted by an editor for Art Quilting Studio to write articles for them. I was interviewed by a freelance writer for the Smithsonian Magazine due to my digital footprint.
Each Community is Unique.
Each community is unique. I happen to live in a community with a vibrant art scene. Santa Cruz, California is fifth in the nation of listing artists as their livelihood.There are opportunities to show your work at restaurants, coffee shops, quilts shows, county fairs, festivals,real estate offices,First Fridays events, Open Studios Art Tours. Your community is probably different. join together with others and form a group. Accept the opportunity to create your own events.
Educating the Public about what You Do
Take the opportunity to educate the public about art quilts. I usually say art quilting is a new form. It (SAQA) began in 1989 in Northern CA. Yvonne Porcella was actually born and raised in my county. Many people still don’t know about it.
Sea Turtles,23″ x 35″,an underwater fantasy art quilt
Further Steps
Create a laser statement, sometimes called a elevator talk. Explain what you do in a sentence or two. Most people know what quilts.But they are still unfamiliar with art quilts. I usually say art quilts use quilting technique to make wall art. My portfolios are Nature, Abstracts and Mexican inspired art quilts.
Reach beyond the art quilt world to the art world in general. Enter shows that accept fiber art.
Local press- If you are having shows or creating events the local press with search you out. Of course, you can also let them know.
Be professional. Be a person someone wants to work with. Leave your ego at the door.Be prompt, prepared at all steps.
About ten years I began my art path into the world. I gleaned these ideas presented here mainly from my own search to develop my own style. I find that they have worked for me. As one takes baby steps into the art world, people will comment on what they see or like. This feedback from the public will help you define your own style.You may have one but you may not truly recognize it. I offer these suggestions to help as you develop your own art style.
You may be interested in reading more about my style.
Be ready to present your Laser Statement to the world.
Being ready with a short laser statement about one’s passion or business is essential. By definition, random encounters can happen anyway and anytime. Such positive interactions keep life interesting. For many they can be a way to interact with the public in a new way.
A laser statement is a necessity for artists or others to quickly explain to a novice what they do. Art quilts are still a new art form that many are not familiar with. Each conversation is an opportunity to share and educate. I didn’t expect a conversation about fabric to occur while accessing tech support. But I was ready with a laser statement when that happened.
Anxiety
Calling the tech support is always caused anxiety for me. This is mainly because I am not very techie. I do maintain my own website. However, I am not always unsure of the words that describe what I do. Knowledge of the vocabulary aids communication about an issue. That is what I lacked.
But I learned through use. I actually feel better now that I understand what certain words (browser, domain name,modem) mean. I have learned a bit more about what they are talking about. In their defense, tech support is always polite and patient.
Lost in space, the way I feel when I call tech support.
Caught Off Guard
Coming from a position of anxiety, these conversations caught me off guard. Yet they left me pleasantly surprised. After my questions had been answered, the tech support engaged me in a conversation about my work. I am always ready to share my passion for fabric art. It paid off to be ready to present my laser statement to the world.
This first conversation began when the male support person mentioned that he sewed costumes. He had several questions about making them. He made the costumes for ComicCon which sounded appropriate for his age. We talked fabric. I mentioned that the shiny fabrics that the costumes were made out of were the most difficult fabrics to work with. I said that 100% cotton is the easiest to work with. He caught on quickly and said, ” I should start with cotton, then, to develop my skills.” I agreed. He appreciated my willingness to share my knowledge freely with him. I thoroughly enjoyed this unlikely conversation.
Rogue Wave, an abstract art quilt, a fav of one of my random encounters
Art Afficionatos are Everywhere
Another conversation took place when the male tech support person asked me what an art quilt was. I was ready to present my laser statement to the world. I explained simply that an art quilt uses traditional quilting techniques to make wall art. He shared that he was very interested in art and loved spending time in art galleries.
I often refer people to my website. But it stuck me as funny to say “Take a look at my website.” Because we had literally just been working on it. It is fun to share my work especially to the uninitiated. He was pleasantly surprised at what he saw. Feedback about his favorites was appreciated.
His favorite of my abstract pieces especially Rogue Wave convinced me that he was a true art fan. Hopefully, the art quilt world has a new convert. Maybe in the future he will be open to search out more art quilts and fiber art shows. There is much power in being ready to present your laser statement to the world.
Ann Baldwin May presented Four Important Skills to Forge Your Own Art Path as a Zoom talk at a NorCal/Southern Nevada Regional Meeting of the International Art quilters organization,SAQA(Studio Art Quilt Associates).
American Democracy,2019 27″ w x 28″h
Introduction
There are many paths forward to become a quilt artist. Ann reinvented herself in retirement. Her art friends call her resilient, a prolific artist and a master at social media.
Forge Your Own Art Path
Part of SAQA(Studio Art Quilt Associates)’s mission statement is to encourage art quilters to move their art forward and out into the world. Forging our own way can be exhilarating and frightening at the same time. What qualities does one need to forge their own path forward? I suggest that one needs these qualities. https://annbaldwinmayartquilts.com/2019/04/making-your-own-luck/
Four Important Skills
Persistence- Just keeps trying! Resilience- Do not take things personally. Bounce by from your disappointments. Confidence -Believe in yourself. Accept Your Uniqueness. Bravery-Put yourself out there! Never miss an opportunity to show your work!
Today I would like to share a few stories that focus on these four important skills. First, I would like to say that I am a big believer in baby steps. We need to be brave but you can be brave on your own timeline. I am not an early adopter of new things. When I started out, I found using this phrase helpful as a conversation starter. Hi, I am shamelessly promoting my work .
Under the Shady Tree 27″ x 38″
Starting my Art Path
Back in 2010, I turned 60. I decided to give myself the gift of showing my art. I went to talk to the owner of a local leading gallery, the R. Blitzer Gallery. I asked how I could show my work there. Robert Blitzer, the owner is a very personable guy. He mentioned a local group show that was going to be hung soon. He gave the name of a fairly famous artist who was curating the show. I called her up and spoke with her. She asked me to send her some photos of my work. I sent her the photos. But I didn’t hear back from her.
Persistence, to Forge Your Own Art Path
At the First Friday reception, I approached the curator and introduced myself. She gasped and said, “I never got back to you. I wanted to include your work.” Awkward moment for both of us. She turned and disappeared in the crowd. I took that as a yes. The reception for First Fridays Art Walk is usually the busiest time. Then the rest of the month the show is still up, there are less visitors. This didn’t matter to me.
I returned the next day and explained the situation to Rob Blitzer. He called the curator . It was decided that he would find a space for me. He found a funky wall in the back but it was fine for me. I could put it on my resume. It was a talking point for me. My birthday present to myself was complete. Being persistent is an important skill to forge your own art path.
A Call for Entry
Several years later, I saw a call for entry for Monterey Peninsula College Art Gallery for a solo show. My application presented my Mexican inspired art quilts. I was not accepted. As a newbie, I assumed it was my fault. My work wasn’t satisfactory.
Market Day
Bravery,to Forge Your Own Art Path
About a year later,I was accepted in to a show in Santa Cruz Art League. Melissa Pickford ,the director of the Monterey Peninsula College Art Gallery was the curator. At the reception, I was trying to get enough nerve to introduce myself to her. The line to speak to her was long. Finally, after she had spoken to everyone in line, I introduced myself. Ms. Pickford recognized my name immediately! She remembered and praised the work that I had submitted.
Who Knew the Rule?
As the director, she apologized because the college has a rule that only work can be shown in the gallery if the college offers classes in that mediam. Evidently, they do have not textile department. Who knew? Be reticent and brave. What if I hadn’t been brave enough to introduce myself? I never would have learned that wonderful gem of truth, a true confidence builder. Bravery is an important skill to forge your own art path.
Resilience,to Forge Your Own Art Path
About that same time I attended my first SAQA conference. Leni Levenson Wiener gave a talk on how shows are curated. The curator has a huge job of deciding which pieces fit into her vision of the show. Choosing the art is difficult. Many pieces are not accepted for reasons that are totally out of the artist’s control.The takeaway point was that if an artist is not accepted it doesn’t mean their art is not good.
Say- Not Accepted Not, Rejected
It means that it didn’t fit in some way with the rest of the work in the show. It was emphasized that we should say that our work was not accepted for a show, rather than say it was rejected. Another gem from a SAQA conference-Maria Shell says you will not be accepted 100% of the time. Maria Shell says 30% acceptance to shows is doing well. Resilience is an important skill to forge your own art path.
Never Miss an Opportunity to Show your Work.
Funny story- I was asked to show my art quilts at a film festival taking play in a local gallery. They were having trouble with the acoustics. They wanted me to show my largest pieces of work to help with the sound. Because I had kept in touch through a monthly newsletter, the director was able to contact me quickly. I stepped up to the plate. I wish I could say I sold something but I can’t.
Confidence,to Forge Your Own Art Path
I would like to share a story that I think of often. We push ourselves to create events and shows. We publicize them and invite everyone we know. Yet sometimes the turnout is low. You may know Brian Cranston from Breaking Bad. He owns a movie theatre near Palm Springs. My husband is from that area and spends a lot of time there.
Brian was fairly famous at the time. He organized an event at the theatre. No one came. My husband was able to have a long conversation with him. These things happen to the best of us; even famous people can have a slow night. Be confident and continue on.
Persistence,to Forge Your Own Art Path
I would like to share with you my latest new friend. We met in Zumba she is in her early 80s. She recently remarried. She paints and yet has no digital foot print. But she goes to restaurants and asks if she can hang her paintings there. And she has been selling them. She is persistent in her unique path forward. Persistence is an important skill to forge your own art path.
In closing,I would like to remind you to say positive things to yourself. Hang compliments on the back wall of your mind . Refer to them often. I would like to end with a favorite quote of mine. In the words of the song,The Middle by Jimmy Eat World
“Just do your best , everything you choose and Don’t you worry what the bitter hearts might say.”
Finally,I hope that these experiences inspire you to develop the qualities of persistence,resilience, confidence and bravery . With these four qualities you can forge your own art path and get your work out into the world. Thank you.
Follow these step by step instructions using Sunset Through the Forest,an abstract art quilt as an example to create an abstract art quilt.
Getting Started
Choose Your Colors
First, I prefer to choose a few contrasting colors. Then I search through my materials for fabrics, decorative yarns and threads in those colors. Sometimes I also choose lighter and darker hues of the same colors.
Make Details with Decorative Threads.
Next, it is fun to make shapes with the decorative threads. For this piece I used the decorative threads to make several parallel lines on the fabric. I cut long strips and sewed the decorative threads in long lines.Then I randomly cut the long strips into 3 or other odd number of pieces. Creating texture- done!
Several different examples of decorative details
On the Design Wall
Next, I display the potential finalist fabrics on my design wall. My favorite choices are fabrics with movement and interest. Then, I also make sure that they are places for eyes to rest by including solid colors.
Trying out green and yellow bits of fabric randomly placed on the design wall
Balancing Colors
Next, balance out the colors and textured pieces so that they are not all on one side of the piece. Don’t be afraid to take a break to come back to view the work with fresh eyes. A fresh look is always helpful in looking for ways to improve a piece. How will one’s eyes move around the art work? Eliminate fabrics if necessary.
Balancing the fabrics and colors
Sewing Smaller Pieces Together
Begin to sew small pieces of fabrics together. Then remember to balance colors and fabrics so that they are equally spaced about the piece. Use this advantage of a design wall to view your whole piece.
Small pieces are sewn together
Sewing More Pieces Together
Continue sewing pieces together. Keep checking for balance of fabrics, colors, and textured pieces.
finished top, Sunset Through the Forest
Finishing
Lastly,I scribble quilt the three layers together to create an added level of movement. Scribble quilting is a technique I named. I use a walking foot to create a flowing quilting line by moving the quilt side to side while quilting. Make sure that the quilting is also balanced and equally fills the space. Then add a facing. Turn to the back and handsew the facing to the back. Name and sign your art!
Sunset Through The Forest, finished art quilt,32″h x 34″w
In Conclusion
These are the steps that I generally follow to create my abstract art quilt pieces. They represent my process at this time. It will probably change over time. Your process is probably unique to you.
Learn how to make a fabric landscape collage quilt using the fabric layering technique. In general, this art form is accessible to all skill levels of art quilts.
Make a Fabric Landscape Collage Quilt
Introduction
In this post you will learn how I make a fabric landscape collage quilt. Basically,the fabric collage is covered with tulle netting and then, free motion quilted together.
Free motion quilting is a high level quilt skill. Before I learned about fabric layering, I had almost given up on perfecting my skills at it. Yet, I found the fabric layering technique very forgiving for practicing free motion quilting. It became a great way for me to advance my skill level of this technique . Try it. Maybe it will help you too.
Topics Covered
How to create a fabric landscape collage art quilt
Follow a step by step procedure
Seascapes- Underwater Fantasies!
Trees with Color! Texture! Movement!
How to free motion quilt successfully!
Conclusion
How to create a Fabric Landscape Collage Art Quilt
The fabric layering technique uses a table rather than a design wall to design. First, I create a scene. Next I cover it with tulle netting. Then I free motion sew the three layers(back, batting,top) together.I use this technique for my Nature portfolio; landscapes,seacapes, mountains,and trees. I prefer to create a more impressionistic scene than realistic view.
Many beginners are encouraged to find a photo that they like in order to copy it for their first fabric collage. A photo to copy may be helpful at the beginning stages. As my artist career advances, I find a photo more restricting than freeing. My art is all about color, texture, and movement. To me copying a photo creates a flat rendition of the scene. That is not the effect that what I am going for.
First Steps
To begin, I choose the fabric that will create the background. Fore most, I prefer to choose a fabric with some dimension already on it, ie. light and dark spaces. For example, if I choose a dark background, then I will choose lighter colored materials for my plants, fish, rocks and other items . On the other hand, if I choose a lighter background, then I will choose darker colored scenery.
In this photo, the quilt sandwich is ready. Choose the backing fabric. Place it on a table. Cover it with batting, the soft center part of a quilt. Place the background fabric on top. Iron each layer so that they will lie flat.
step 1 Begin with a quilt sandwich; back fabric, batting and background fabric
Step 1
First, the back fabric is flat on the table. Next, a piece of batting is laid on top of that. Clearly, you can see the white batting hanging a bit over the edge. Then I laid a piece of moddled commercial fabric on top. The piece is about 14″ by 14″36 cm x36 cm. I let the fabric’s different shades of coloring do part of the work in creating interest and depth in the piece. Finally, I lightly baste the layers together with an Avery glue stick.
step 2
Step 2
Next, I cut out light colored rocks. I placed them in the foreground. Then I cut out irregularly shaped dots of different colored batik fabric for the jellies,or jelly fish. I place the jellies as if they are swimming in the current.
step 3 Add plants with fabric and decorative threads
Step 3-
Next, I cut out plants and place them between the rocks. Next, I add decorative threads for the tenacles of the jellies. Adjust the decorative threads so that it looks like the water is moving them. After that when everything is in its place, I baste the pieces in place with a tiny dab of glue. I use a long pin to place the smallest spot of glue under the fabric. This helps me keep the dot of glue small.
step 4 Cover with tulle netting and pin down.
Step 4
Next I cover the scene with tulle netting. Then I pin the tulle in place. The tulle is really hard to see in this photo. Similarly, it usually appears almost invisible when the piece is finished. I am not fussy about the color of the tulle that I use. A black tulle will add a muted tone to your piece. A lighter color like white becomes more invisible in the final piece. Some tulle now comes with sparkles. This works especially well for water scenes. The sunlight seems to reflect off of the water!
step 5 Started free motion quilting.
Step 5
Next, I free motion quilt the three layers together. The first step is to lower the feed dogs on my machine. Primarily, this allows me to move the piece smoothly however I want. The quilting creates another level of movement. If the feed dogs( the little metal teeth) on your machine aren’t adjustable, cover them with a plastic attachment to free motion quilt. Tightly hold the edges of the quilt taut and smooth while quilting. I like to create plants moving in the water with my quilting. However, you may choose whatever you like.
The art quilt is completed.
Step 6
Finally, I finish the piece by zigzagging the edges twice. However, for larger pieces, I prefer sew a facing to the front and turn then turn the facing to the back. Then I hand stitch it down.
Finally, here is a photo of the back of the piece. The machine stitching is easily viewed.
It is easier to see the quilting from the back.
Seascapes
Seascapes are basically a variation on landscapes but underwater. My seascapes are often underwater fantasies of marine life and plants.
Above all, marine life is front and center in my home town of Santa Cruz, California. For example, this is where three young princes of Hawaii first surfed in North America on July 19, 1885 on large redwood boards. In addition, Santa Cruz is at the top of the Monterey Bay with the world class aquarium just an hour away. The area is also home several national marine research facilities. Surf City, U.S.A takes its marine life seriously.
Art ranks High too.
On the other hand, Santa Cruz is also listed as fifth in the nation as an artistic destination. That is to say that many artists live in the county. That is to say that marine life and art come together in this newer genre of art quilts. Come be inspired to try it yourself!
A Visit to the Monterey Bay Aquarium
When I first started making marine life art quilts, I visited the Monterey Bay Aquarium. In other words, I wanted to observe the fish. What do their mouths look like? What shapes are their tails? My intention was to create a accurate picture of the sea life. However, that idea went out the window very quickly. In conclusion, there is no one way that a fish’s mouth looks. The variety of shapes and forms is endless. My underwater fantasy portfolio was born. In addition, I was free to create an animal in any way I wanted because there was probably a fish that looked that way somewhere.
Deep Blue Sea 37″ x 24″ 2020 $2100.
Sea Dragons at the Aquarium
Similarly, I saw my first sea dragon at the Monterey Bay Aquarium. I couldn’t believe my eyes. Was that a plant? Was that an animal? It was impossible to tell. I was fascinated. Ever since that day, I have been incorporating sea dragons into my art.
Technically, sea dragons are cousins to the sea horse. What? It is hard to believe. Sadly for us humans, the sea dragon display is not longer at the aquarium. Happily for the sea dragons, they have been returned to their natural habitat in the waters of the Monterey Bay Marine Sanctuary. However, these fascinating animals may be on display at another aquarium.
I incorporate color, texture and movement into my art quilts while using the fabric layering technique.Plants and animals may stand out or barely be seen depending on their color. In the same way, lots of thick decorative threads add texture and life to the underwater rocks. In addition, in Sea Dragons in the Golden Kelp, I created the animals by thread painting on Sulky water soluble fabric stabilizer. This thread painting technique creates lacy and leafy animals. Free motion quilting adds movement by creating plant life that seems to move with the currents. Use one’s imagination to see animals among the plants.
Violet Seascape 33″ x26″ 2020 $2100.
Furthermore, underwater fantasies lend themselves to the use of sheer fabrics. Who knows what shadowy beings are lurking in the depths? Shiny, reflective fabrics cut into the shapes of fish and marine life add a dimension that often only becomes visible is a certain light. What a surprise! What fun!
Large Spotted Fish 15″ x 15″
Trees
Furthermore,I use this technique often to create some of my most favorite art quilts highlighting trees.
Vacant Lot 43″ x 31″
First of all, trees in art quilts are my most popular pieces. Above all, everyone can relate to the shape and various colors of trucks and leaves. Vacant Lot, is an early example of one of my tree art quilts. Furthermore, five of my art quilt trees hang permanently in local Santa Cruz County Kaiser Permanente Medical facilities.
Tree Friendly Town
I live in a tree friendly town. That is to say that Santa Cruz, California is part of the Tree City USA program. My county is full of fruit tree orchards as well as redwoods. Furthermore, the Spanish explorers saw their first redwood tree in Santa Cruz County. In addition, California’s first state park, Big Basin is also in my county. That is a lot of trees for the second smallest county in California.
Of course, many locales are tree friendly places even if they not they are enrolled in the national urban tree program. We can all relate to trees and leaves; the forms they take and the shapes they make. Creating trees lets me explore and expand my use of texture, color, and movement. Let me take this opportuntity to share my love of trees.
Use of Color
Young children and other people know what color a tree should be. We understand the general shape of a tree including the wide variety of sizes and forms. Change the color of a tree to an unnatural color. Our brains will still recognize that it as a tree. This is what makes it fun for an artist.
Teal colored tree trunk and branches ? Not so common nor are violet branches. I have received such a positive response from the movement of leaves extending beyond the edges of the art quilt that I have continued to do that.
Along the Path 34″ x 22″ soldAt the Edge of the Grove
29″ x 26″
What could be more fun than orange branches!
Tree Along Creek 32″ x 27″
This tree along the creek has pale colored branches with bluish green tint from couched yarns and decorative threads. The pop of medium green comes from a piece of dress fabric from the 1940s.
Adding Texture
Celebrating Fall has branches made from a highly textured yet, loosely woven fabric. I couched decorative threads are on top of the fabric to add more interest. This same couching technique is also visible in Tree Along Creek and At the Edge of the Grove.
Celebrating Fall 33″ x 31″ 2019
Adding Movement
In Looking up at Dusk,flying leaves and twigs are carried along by the wind. While creating this piece, I actually toss some pieces onto the quilt top. Great fun! Great serenpidity!
Looking up at Dusk,31″ x 24″ 2017Overlook 35″ x 26″ 2018
In Overlook, I choose a green and white patterned fabric for the trunk and branches. I couched (zigzagged)decorative threads and yarn to the fabric before cutting out the shape of the tree. The white spaces on the fabric create movement. The curvy line quilting in the sky also adds action. The sky fabric is from an indigo dying class. Can you see the clouds moving across the sky?
How to Free Motion Quilt Successfully!
Free motion quilting is an advanced quilting technique. Free motion quilting is when the quilter is in charge of moving the quilt instead of the machine. Here are a few easy tricks for success.
You must be able to lower the feed dogs on your sewing machine. The feed dogs are the little metal teeth that help move the fabric through the machine. If your older machine doesn’t allow for this. The feed dogs may be covered with a plastic attachment.
Use a darning foot while quilting attach photo.
While free motion quilting, the quilter moves the fabric. While stitching the throttleusually used by your foot pedal , goes quickly and your hands move the fabric slowly. Remember ,the mantra is fast feet, slow hands.
Use Aurifil 50 wt. thread is by far the best thread to use for free motion quilting. It is strong and thin. It is available in many colors at better quilting shops. While it seems expensive, there is really a lot of thread on the spool. I once pieced and quilted a king size bed quilt using only 1 spool of thread. This product will give you the best result for free motion quilting.
Practice your skill. In order for the stitches to be the same size, practice moving the fabric slowly while making the foot pedal throttle go quickly. This skill is not difficult but it does take practice.
Conclusion
Fabric landscape and seascape fabric collages are a fun and exciting new art form. People of all ages may begin their art exploration with them. They are a forgiving way to practice fee motion quilting. They let me explore my love of Color! Texture! Movement! while using of redirected materials. A win-win situation.
Not too long ago,I participated in an art and physics collaboration. As a result I created this green, yellow and black art quilt,ATLAS at CERN based on the colors from CERN. Inspired by this abstract piece I wanted to attempt something similar in a different color wave. So I choose to use the colors of black, white and rose for my next scientifically inspired art quilt.
A Scientifically Inspired Art Quilt
ATLAS at CERN, scientifically inspired art quilt
Creating Details
First, I go through my materials to find the appropriate colors of fabrics and items for the color wave I have chosen for my scientifically inspired art quilt.
Next, I think what I want to make to add texture or interest. This is when I begin to think about the whole quilting process and the order that I need to follow. I knew that I wanted to use a beaded necklace with a bit of pink. But I would have to wait until the quilt top was completed to actually sew it in place. Otherwise quilting the top would be a problem; the beads wouldn’t go through my machine. Moreover, I didn’t want to wreck the beads in the process. Hand sewing of the necklace would have to wait until the whole piece was sewn together. Yet, I would still have to keep the location of the necklace in mind as I worked.
Other Details
Continuing with other details,I found a repurposed zipper in just the right color. I created a starburst mirroring the actual scientific view after the splitting of atoms. Then, I chose rose colored embroidery threads to couch (zigzagg) with matching colored thread. I also couched several different decorative threads and a piece of stretchy webbing onto black pieces of fabric to create a pleasant contrast. A running stitch of rose colored embroidery threads through black fabric was also made. Lastly, I created a black 3D fabric flower to adorn a rose colored piece of fabric.
ATLAS in Rose selecting fabrics
A Scientifically Inspired Art Quilt On the Design Wall
I like to choose fabrics with movement. It was serenditious to find so many black and white fabrics with circles and dots that lent themselves well to ascientifically inspired art quilt. These would go well with the oval placement in the center of the beaded necklace. The black and white stripes contrasted geometrically. I created further stripes by couching black decorative threads and black ribbon on white fabric. I used black sewing thread for low or no contrast.
ATLAS in Rose, work on design wall
The Finished Top
ATLAS in Rose , finished art quilt
Here is the completed scientifically inspired art quilt. Handsewn repurposed white buttons added interest to the beaded necklace, front and center upon completion.
You may find out more about how I create my abstract art quilts at these links.
Above all, I like using discontinued designer fabrics in my art quilts. These materials add texture and movement to my work. Most importantly as a fiber artist, I look for unique materials. Using discontinued fabrics from designers fits the bill.
Just as important is keeping these beautiful materials out of the landfill. Certainly,giving them a new life is important. First,I gather my materials first with no idea in mind as to how I will use them. Then I see which materials play well together.
Finding Discontinued Materials
About ten years ago I started volunteering at Fabmo,(Fabric and more). About the same time,I became more serious about making my fabric art. FABMO is a nonprofit center for redirecting fabrics. For example,dedicated volunteers make weekly trips to the San Francisco Design Center, a decorator hub. These materials are new and ready to be recycled. Furthermore,the public can buy these materials for a donation.http://fabmo.org
Inspiration from Discontinued Fabrics
The nonprofit recently moved to a warehouse in a Sunnyvale, California. After that,it was ready to offer selection days for the public. For example, items to choose from include discontinued items, fabric samples and details. The fabric is like none available in local quilt shops and fabric stores. It inspires me to see how the fabrics play with one another. At the same time,the volunteers are dedicated to reduce, reuse, and recycle fabrics. They search for new ideas to use the materials. Then they share these ideas on their newsletter. Check with your local decorators for similar opportunities.
Unique fabrics make Unique Art.
Autumn Comes to the Farm,an art quilt made from redirected fabrics, 20″ x 20″Desert Sands,21″ x 16″
Inspiration from Unusual Fabrics
The next step is to choose from the wide variety of materials that are available. Needlesstosay, the amount of possibilities is a bit overwhelming. Furthermore,the use of silk, linen and synthetics allows me to add texture to my art pieces. These fabrics can be a bit more difficult to work with than cotton. Unlike bed quilts, art quilts as wall art do not have to be washed. In other words, easy care materials like cotton are not mandatory.
Rusty Cans in the Wash,16″ x 15″Visions of New Mexico,3rd place award, 31″ x 26″
A Win Win Situation
Finally,I am very inspired by how these redirected materials play together. I really hope that you will search out sources for redirected materials in your area. It will add a spark to your art. It will create a decline in entries to the local landfill. What could be more of a win-win situation?https://annbaldwinmayartquilts.com/2019/08/adding-color-to-your-art-quilts/
Above all,a memory quilt is a quilt made out of a person’s clothing as a way of honoring their memory. After seeing my art work, a client contacted me to make an art quilt as a way to keep the memory of her grandmother alive.For example,follow as I show the step by step the process of making a memory quilt of the client’s grandmother’s clothes and articles.
At our First Meeting
At our first meeting, the woman shared information about her grandmother’s life that she especially wanted to be included in the memory quilt. In addition,she brought artifacts to illustrate her life. The artifacts included buttons, artificial flowers, a paper card notice, lace and several dresses and clothing . Together step by step, we decided on the colors. We both agreed on the pink, green, and blue palette. I was able to use some dark blue from the orange and blue housedress.
Personal details
Furthermore,the wide range of details, artificial flowers, momentos, jewelry,clothing gave me a lot to choose from. Subsequently,I was also able to include buttons, lace from hems and the safety pins that had been hidden inside the clothing. Luckily, the client said that she would trust my artistic choices to arrange or eliminate as necessary. After that the work on the Memory Quilt-step by step began.
Step 1. Choosing fabrics and details for a memory quiltStep 2. dresses for a memory quiltStep 3. Earrings add a very personal touch.
To Begin-Memory Quilt-Step by Step
First I cut out parts of the fabric from the dresses. Based on my experience and the approximate size of the finished piece, I knew that I didn’t need to take apart all of the seams. In other words, there would be plenty of fabric. Therefore, I cut pieces of about 10” -20” square. I heat fused interfacing on to the back of the polyester to reduce stretching and to aide sewing. Then I was able to cut out a variety of interesting geometric shapes in dark navy blue from an eliminated orange dress. Finally,I noticed that the back side of the fabric was a lovely medium blue so I decided to use both sides of the fabric. The pieces were smaller about 3” each.
Using the Design Wall to create the Memory Quilt-step by step
Using the design wall, I pinned the fabric up to begin to try out fabrics for work in progress of the memory quilt.
Trying out fabrics for a memory quilt on the design wall
I created this accent from zippers I took out of the clothes. The safety pins are decorative. Be brave and use interesting objects that one might not usually think of using for a memory quilt.
Step 4 Create zipper accent
Next, I added the details to get an idea about where they should go.
Step 5 Moving around fabrics and details
Then,I began to sew pieces together.
Step6 Trying out places
I continued to sew pieces together and change their place for balance of color.
Step7 ready to sew together
Finally, all of the pieces found their special spot.Next, the top was sewn together. Then,the backing and batting are added. Lastly I quilt the three layers together. In this case,the focus is on the materials and details. Therefore, the quilting took a back seat and did not stand out.
Wetlands Wanderer,an egret in the wetlands Above all,notice the decorative threads at the bottom of the quilt. 28″ x 27″
Add Decorative Threads for Texture
Above all,decorative threads add texture to art quilts. Furthermore,texture is part of my mantra, Color! Texture! and Movement! Therefore, I take creating, finding and using texture very seriously. Above all for me, it is fun. I get excited about repurposing decorative ribbons and threads in my art quilts. I would like to take this opportunity to share some ideas.
My artistic path evolved about the same time I found Fabmo fabric and more https://www.fabmo.org/. Fabmo is a nonprofit that rescues fabric samples and materials from designers to keeping them out of the landfill. In addition,they make them available to the public. The charming decorative three dimensional details call to me. However, I discovered these threads quite by accident. For example,I accidently took some details apart. Most importantly, I discovered lovely threads and ribbons to add texture to my art quilts.
decorative detailsRibbons from disassembled details
Take Things Apart to find Decorative Threads for Texture
These small details add texture, fiber and interest to art quilts. However,some of the threads are quite long when disassembled. Lots of room for creativity. Make a small detail by twisting and folding longer threads. Decorative threads entered my art pieces. In addition, I use these decorative details to add 3D texture to both my abstract and nature inspired art quilts.
Cinnamon Threads, detail from an abstract art quilt detail of 23″ x 20″ art quilt
How Would You Use These Decorative Threads?
Red detailBeige detail and disassembled red detail
Some Examples of What I Did
In addition,here are a couple of photos of works in progress highlighting deconstructed fibers.
An egret, a work in progressfibers in a work in progress,
Helpful Hints
Not in the San Francisco Bay area with access to FABMO in Sunnyvale? Find interior decorators in your area. They will be thrilled to pass on their “outdated” details. Moreover,beautiful yarns can be found at garage sales. Leftover pieces of interesting yarns may also be found at yard sales or Goodwill. Decorative threads are available for purchase. Of course, interesting decorative threads are often sold at quilt shows. Does your local quilt guild have a flea market? Lots of good finds there.
In Conclusion
In conclusion, I hope that you will be inspired to try and incorporate more decorative threads into your art quilts. Therefore, please share your successes and advice. Above all, try something new.
Choosing a name for an art work is not an easy task. Yet, when the title of one’s art piece fits the work, it feels like pure genius.The title can capture the essence of the piece. What the artist wants to say or what the piece is about. I find it worth the effort. Yet, many times genius can elude us.
How To Name An Art Work
“Untitled- Number 325” The running joke of a prolific artist from a fiber group was just that. Untitled Number 325. That is how she answered when asked what the name of her latest piece was. She liked doing the work but not the naming part of it. So each piece was left unnamed.
On the other extreme,Brad Burkhart,a local clay sculptor created a lengthy group process to name a piece. He asks the group questions which lead to a consensus for the piece by consensus. He strongly supports and promotes this process. How to name an art piece can be a private or a public effort.
I Put on my Poetry Hat
Both of those processes feel unsatisfactory to me. I name my pieces by several different methods. My preferred method is to put on my poetry hat metaphorically. I try to think of an engaging title that adds to the viewer’s experience. What I was thinking about while making my art?
At times I think about what the piece looks like. People read all of my titles once they realize that they are engaging and interesting. Naming my art is an opportunity to share my creative vision and to engage with the audience. I don’t want to hand such an important element of my expression over to anyone else.
Here are some examples of my art and how and why they were so entitled.
What I Was Thinking About
Rogue Wave, an abstract art quilt, 36″ x 36″
A rogue wave or sneaker wave often hits the Central Coast of California in the winter. It is a large,strong, unexpected wave that can be very dangerous. While making this art quilt, warnings for rogue waves were being broadcast daily on the news. As my pieces included colors that reflected water and movement, I chose that title.
A Fitting Genre and Style
This art quilt is named Sherman Alexie Comes to Bookclub,
Sherman Alexie Comes to Bookclub is a modern piece inspired by the new membreño colors of black, white and rust. Mr. Alexie is a Native American author who writes about urban Indians. I thought that it was a good fit for this piece. Although it is a bit of an inside joke, if the audience doesn’t know Sherman Alexie .
Under the Savannah Shade using African fabrics, 36″ x 42″
Under the Savannah Shade is a bright abstract art quilt. The African fabrics in greens, oranges, and yellows reminded me of a hot summer’s day. Wouldn’t some shade be nice? The blue material provided that shade.
Descriptive Titles
When genius eludes us, a descriptive title will do. What do you see in the art piece? Does it remind you of something? What location is it inspired by?
Challenges
Under the Shady Tree,37″ x 25″Great Blue Heron at Dusk, 31″ x 25″Gridlock I, 33″ x 31″Gridlock II, 42″ x 36″
May I share some challenges to naming one’s art. Early in my art career, I named some pieces Gridlock I and Gridlock II. Gridlock II was juried into a “MAYHEM”show at the ARC Gallery in San Francisco. In spite of that honor, I couldn’t remember which piece was number I and which was number II. I decided to avoid numbering my art again. You may have a different opinion.
Naming a Series
Shore to Sky ZShore to Sky F
Yet, when I did a series of small abstract art quilts based on the colors of the sky meeting the land and water . I named them Shore to Sky A,B ,C through Z that presented no problems. Maybe the wider range of colors helped me differentiate the pieces better.
Conclusion
Part of being as artist is sharing one’s vision with the local community and the greater world. Naming one’s art can add to the presentation of our work. It is a personal statement. Do not miss this opportunity to connect with the public.
These are just some examples of how I named my art quilts. Were they helpful either directly or indirectly? Do you have some ideas of your own that you think worked well? Please share.
First of all,I love creating movement in my abstract art quilt pieces. A fiber artist friend asked me,“What are the essential elements you want your audience to know about your work? What do you want them to take away from seeing your art?” This friend versed in the deep discussions generated by involvement with the Artist Conference Network. I am grateful for those thought provoking questions. They helped me coalesce the ideas I had been mulling over.
Beach Umbrellas,an abstract art quilt, 37 ” x 37″ 94cm x 94cm curved line piecing creates moveSpring Break,an abstract art quilt, 32″ x 32″ 81cm x 81cm curved line piecing creates movement
Creating Movement in Abstract Art Quilts
How does one infuse movement into something that is inherently flat and static? Curved line piecing rather than just straight line sewing is one way to add movement in abstract art quilt pieces. At first, I attempted to make every seam a curved line. Then I realised that it proved too much of a good thing. The wobbly surface wasn’t the effect I wanted. Some straight lines are important for shape and balance. Another true life lesson learned: balance is important. Now I choose lines more carefully for visual impact to sew via curved line piecing. They may be wildly or more subtly shaped curves. https://annbaldwinmayartquilts.com/2019/07/creating-movement-in-art/
Activity on the Material
I choose the fabrics I use with movement in mind. I look for interesting curved lines that can create movement in my abstract art quilts. When I cut them up, they add interest and drama. They catch the eye and draw it in. One fabric of elongated greyhound dogs was rotated and sliced into the pieces. The shape of the animals disappeared yet the movement of the line remained. Other fabrics provide a pop of action to the piece. Creating the illusion of movement is an essential part in my abstract art quilts.
Beginning to zigzag yarns on grey, black, white linen background
In addition, movement is added through the quilting process. I begin by quilting straight lines in the middle of the piece making basically a large grid about 5” apart. Then the fun begins. I start quilting from corner to corner gently turning the fabric slightly side to side as I quilt. The thread line creates the movement. If the thread color contrasts with the fabric color, then the threads stand out. When the thread color matches the fabric, the thread may seem to disappear, yet the movement remains on a more subtle level. Many viewers look closer to try and understand how that can be.
Skyward, 25″ x 25″ 63cm x 63cm finished piece
Couching Decorative Threads
One technique I now consider quintessential part of my tool box is couching decorative threads. I sew multiple colored threads or yarns on to a strip of fabric. Then I cut them up into random lengths and use them as fabric. At first, the main purpose was to add texture to my pieces. Yet, the threads are often sewn in undulating parallel lines creating the slightest of distortion and movement. In Copper Cliffs both examples given can be seen, the fabric with irregular dots and the lines of decorative threads I cut apart.
Copper Cliffs, an art quilt,21 ” x 19″ 53 cm x 48 cm curvy lines of yarn create movement
I create my abstracts on a design wall. I take time to balance the colors and fabrics. Quiet spaces let one’s eyes rest. Looking at the piece with fresh eyes may take several days or longer before sewing the pieces together.
Gridlock II, an abstract art quilt, 36″ x 42″ 91 cm x 107 cm curved line piecing creates movementGridlock I ,an abstract art quilt black and white 33″ x 31″ 84cm x 79 cm
A Final Look
Abstract artists have the added benefit of being able to rotate the completed piece. They look to see if the art may be better from a different direction. It just might happen. Just because it was conceived and executed in one direction doesn’t mean that it cannot look better “upside down.”
Sandy Shore, an abstract art quilt 29″h x 25″w 74 cm x 64cm wacky, scribble quilting creates movement
A former colleague of mine made an unsolicited comment about my work, “It dances.” Her remark touched me on several levels. Years earlier she admitted that she had no interest in attending an art quilt show. So when I heard her comment, I felt that I had truly opened her eyes to a new art form.
Do you Squash your Art Quilts?
As you can tell, movement in an art quilt is important to me. Yet not all art quilters share my view. A trend in quilting art quilts seems to be creating as many stitching lines on a piece as possible. These lines tend to be straight lines with about ¼” spacing. They may turn at sharp corners. While attending a recent national art quilt shows, I noticed that almost 75% of the quilts had such quilting. I admit that such narrow line quilting may be effective for some pieces. The skill level is high for the artists that quilt that way. However, this style makes me cringe. Squashing and smashing the fabric into flat controlled pieces actually saddens me. Such tight stitching suffocates the fabric, preventing it from moving or breathing.
Best Parts about Making Abstract Quilts
I love making abstract art quilts. There are several reasons why. While placing pieces on the design wall, there is flexibility to easily add fabrics or change their locations. Furthermore, I can turn the fabric piece upside down or even side ways to choose the best spot. This also works if the fabric pieces have decorative threads on them. Do I want the lines to go vertically or horizontally? In addition, if I sew two fabrics together incorrectly, I just cut the fabric off easily and resew. No seam ripping is necessary. I welcome these hacks after experiences making traditional blocks where more accuracy is demanded.
Conclusion
In conclusion, I create movement in my abstract art pieces in several ways. I choose some pieces of fabric because they show movement as part of the design element. Couching decorative threads in not quite straight lines adds subtle movement. Pieces are sewn together with a curved line piecing technique. Finally the artist generates wavy lines all over the piece while quilting the three layers of fabric together. A basically flat piece of art is brought to life by these techniques.
Read about Other Resources
Read more about the Artist Conference Network. This artist driven organization supports artists as they move towards their artistic goals. Groups meet periodically to share and review each artist’s goals.
Winter Sunset, An abstract art quilt with lavander,pink, and grey colorsthe finished piece
Memories of Favorite Colors
Memories of favorite colors can stay with you throughout a lifetime. As a seven year old, I remember telling the neighbor lady that I wanted to be an artist when I grew up. My favorite colors were pink and yellow. I chose them both because I couldn’t decide which one I liked the better.
My goal of becoming an artist faded almost immediately. That idea didn’t resurface until much, much later after a 36 year career as an elementary school teacher. Yet, my memories of my favorite colors remained with me.
Elementary School
For several years while I was in upper elementary school, a ladies choir came to sing for our school. I don’t remember the music but what stuck with me were their dresses. The ladies all wore a solid color shirtdress that was most likely from their own closet. The affect of the variety of colors was intriguing to me. I was starstruck. I kept this memory for such a long time that I made myself a single color dress to wear to work many years later.
Shirt dresses possibly from Villager.
Memories of Favorite Colors,Age 13
My mother loved clothing and dressing nicely. I could always count on her for a lovely outfit for a Christmas gift . For my thirteenth Christmas, she surprised me with several items to mix and match in forest green and light blue. There was a green blouse with light blue flowers, a fluffy Mohair blue sweater,blue pants and a light blue skirt. I was in heaven. Those colors have stayed dormant within me although I haven’t done anything with them. Maybe the time is now right?
My mohair sweater looked like this only in light blue.
Memories of Favorite Colors -Chocolate Brown and Light Blue
Fast forward ahead to my life as a young wife. My husband and I enjoyed visited model homes to get inspiration for our own space. We were both enamored with a home decorated in dark chocolate brown colors with light blue accents. Again we didn’t act on our interest. But the memory of colors of that model home stayed with us both .
Memories of Colors-Purple
We all must admit that we have been influenced positively and at times negatively by our parents. My mother did not like purple. The purple of the 1960’s was more of a sickly lilac. I share her dislike for that color. It is not a color that blends well with our olive complexion. Here are some beautiful dresses in the color lilac. I must admit it is hard to dislike these stunning examples.
lilac dressThe lilac dress is in the middle.lilac dress
Other Shades of Purple
Much later a wider variety of purples became popular. Shades of purple that constrast well with many colors are a natural choice for my art. Here are some examples.
Splendid Fairy Wren, 30″ h x 25″ wUnder the Palapa, 27″ x 21″Shore to Sky E, 10″ x 10″Love in the Abstract, an abstract art quilt in purples and pinks,24″ x 26″Winter Sunset, An abstract art quilt with lavander,pink, and grey colors,the finished piece
Conclusion
These are some of my memories of favorite colors that have stayed with me for many years. Thank you for letting me share. I assume that others also have fond memories of shades from their childhood and beyond. Do you have any color favorites of your own.? Feel free to share them here.
For the past ten years, I have worked to come into my own as an art quilter. It took that long to grow into the artist I am today. Growth happens when we least expect it. I started making art quilts about 12 years ago. I entered and was accepted into my first juried art show in 2010. The next year the same piece won an award. Subsequently, there was not turning back. I was off and running. This year,2019 I was accepted into New York Art to show in their gallery in TriBeCa in New York City.
At first,I would look at art quilts in galleries and shows. It was puzzling that none of them looked like mine. At first,I was worried. This struck me as worrisome. It took me a while to realize what that meant. After that, I realised that I had my own style. This became reassuring. No one has had my experiences, my life, but me. No one chooses the materials that I choose. That is why the quilts are different.
Underwater Fantasies
Living on the California coast, marine landscapes are popular.In the beginning when I started doing underwater seascapes, I was concerned about how make a fish’s face or mouth. Then I went to the Monterey Bay Aquarium. I saw examples of everything . For example, some fish mouths went up, some mouths went down ,some were big and some were small with everything in between. Subsequently,this freed me to create as I chose. Clearly,I don’t do scientific drawings. However,I do create whimsical seascapes I call underwater fantasies. This is who I want to be.
Sea Turtles,23″ x 35″
Wavy Quilting Lines
I have noticed that many art quilts that win awards at art quilt shows are heavily quilted with tight quilting lines, mostly straight lines ¼” apart. To me that kind of quilting just tries to control the fabric and squeeze all movement out of the quilt. Movement is one of my guiding influences . My quilting lines swerve and wave from corner to corner. It is what I do. It is my style.
Petite Neutrality, 11″ x 12″
Working from Photos-NOT
I do not like to work from photos. I do not want to create anything that can be copied with a camera. That’s just me. Yet many other art quilters do work from photos. They do create award winning pieces.
Once, I tried to make a landscape quilt using fabric with rocks and trees on it instead of just creating my own. It was not fun trying to find the exact fabric I needed. Just thinking about it gives me a headache. Now I prefer to work in the realm of impressionism. Yes, it will obviously be a landscape or a seascape. But I trust the viewers’ eyes and minds to interpret a scene as they see it.
The color of threads changes according to what fabric is near or next to them.The threads and fabric don’t need to match exactly. I love that quality. It frees the artist from certain restraints.More recently I have been making abstract art quilts by choosing three contrasting colors. Then I find the hues of those colors to increase the range of the colors. It is what I do. It is my style.
Creating Texture
To add texture, one might find some 3D decorative threads hanging freely down off of the top. One might see rows of couched decorative threads throughout the piece adding more texture. My nature pieces may include lots of threads used to create bushes or brush in the landscape.One might see straight or curving tucks to add texture and movement. It is what I do. It is my style as an art quilter.
Under the Shady Tree, 27″ x38″h
My Three Portfolios
I have three portfolios that speak to me; Nature quilts(trees, landscapes and underwater fantasies) Mexican inspired pieces ( often fabric collages) and abstract art quilts. I usually rotate between each portfolio making several pieces before moving on. In this way , each portfolio feels new as I haven’t done it for a while. Creating Color! Texture! Movement! in each piece remains consistent. It is satisfying to finally recognize who I am and what I do as an art quilter.The good news is I now know who I am as an art quilter. https://annbaldwinmayartquilts.com/2019/10/myself-the-artist/
De La Sierra, fabric collage with appillera, 32″ x 30″
Arbie Williams. "Medallion" (1987), quilted by Willia Ette Graham
Art Museum inherits 3,000 African American Quilts
Charles Desmarais October 16, 2019Updated: January 30, 2020, 10:08 am
Arbie Williams, “Medallion” (1987), quilted by Willia Ette Graham.
A Gift of nearly 3,000 Quilts
Over all a gift of nearly 3,000 quilts, was announced Wednesday, Oct. 16,2020. Furthermore, all of the quilts were designed and produced by African American artists. Officials of the UC Berkeley Art Museum announced the gift. Eli Leon put together the extensive collection over more than three decades. Dr.Leon was a white Oakland psychotherapist. Meanwhile he became a respected expert on African American quilts. When Leon died in 2019, he left the quilts and a few other items to the Regents of the University of California. https://www.sfchronicle.com/bayarea/article/Eli-Leon-scholar-and-collector-of-African-12757330.php
The Unusual Gift
Subsequently,the gift will add 15% to the museum’s permanent collection, said BAMPFA director Lawrence Rinder, in an interview with The Chronicle.
In addition,the two largest visual arts organizations, the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art and the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco, made major commitments. This year, SFMOMA sold a key Mark Rothko painting to raise millions of dollars . For example,this will enable the museum to broaden its collection through purchases of works by women, LGBTQ artists and artists of color. After that,the Fine Arts Museums acquired 62 works by 22 contemporary African American artists . Rosie Lee Tompkins, Untitled (1996), quilted by Irene Bankhead.
Similarly,Lawrence Rinder knew Leon. In the past,they had worked together on an exhibition of the quilts of Rosie Lee Tompkins. In addition,more than 500 works of Ms. Tompkins are part of the the gift. Moving forward, Mr. Rinder will curate a larger Tompkins show as his final project before retiring He said the quilts are decidedly not “folk art.”
It’s Art Art
Likewise,“Not to me,” he was quick to say. “I think it’s ‘art art.’ I don’t make those distinctions. To clarigy, labels like that justify the exclusion of people who are less well off or people who are not white.
“Some people think if you slap a label , it can help us understand where it comes from.On the other hand, I don’t care about any of that at all. Most importantly,I see emotion, expression, technical skill. … The rest doesn’t matter to me in the least.”
Monin Brown and Hattie “Strawberry” Mitchell
Adventurous Designs
For example,Leon tended to collect adventurous designs. However,it was not because the works look modern. “He believed deeply in a connection to African traditions. He conducted research on motifs, patterns and methods that he saw as rooted in Central Africa,” Variations on a Theme,artist unknown
Funds for Conservation
After that,Rinder said gifts and grants are being sought to fund conservation of the fragile works. Moreover, he believes the university is committed to their care and display. Furthermore in a statement, UC Berkeley Chancellor Carol Christ said, “BAMPFA is uniquely suited to ensure that these wonderful works of art receive the exposure and attention they deserve.”
LOC ART app has launched with the goal of revolutionizing art sales. Created by Santa Cruz residents Derick Delucchi and Dominic Elkin, Loc Art is an app that intersects art and technology. The process of browsing, buying and selling local art becomes more accessible, social, and smoother than ever before.
Both Delucchi and Elkin grew up in Santa Cruz. They experienced the abundant local art scene first-hand. After college,while returning to work here, they decided to help this cultural epicenter thrive in a more clear and consistent way. Delucchi envisioned an app as an easier way to connect the community with local creatives. In early 2017, Elkin began designing Loc Art App around this vision. Together they refined the product. The Loc Art app officially launched in the fall of 2019.
A Unique Guide
Loc Art App is a unique guide to the Santa Cruz art scene. The Loc Art app gives art enthusiasts the opportunity to discover talented artists. Original artwork located locally. Through the Loc Art app, collectors can browse and shop diverse forms of art from high-quality artists. The platform provides a convenient way for shoppers to communicate directly with their favorite artists. Commission are also available. Artists have the opportunity to showcase their work and sell it.
Loc Art app offers a digital art market experience that is user-friendly, personal, and professional. Additionally, the app provides a calendar with notifications of local art events, allowing people to keep track of classes, festivals, and markets happening around the county throughout the year.
Active Members of the Community
As well as pioneering the app, Delucchi and Elkin are active members of the community. Delucchi (whose family has been here for over 100 years) is a 4th generation firefighter who works for Cal Fire throughout the county. Elkin currently works for iheartjane, a Soquel-based startup software company.
We recently caught up to co-founders Derick and Dominic to talk about what motivated them to create Loc Art and how they imagine it evolving as more people jump on board.
Local Santa Cruz: What inspired you to launch Loc Art?
Derick: It started mostly by talking to friends who are artists and hearing about the challenges of trying to market and sell artwork. Especially when they really just wanted to spend more time creating. Then, when Dominic and I toured Open Studios a few years ago, we talked with some of the participating artists who were experiencing similar issues. That’s when we started working on the project and came up with the idea to design an app that would help local artists sell their work to the community.
At the moment, Loc Art is currently only available in Santa Cruz. But the inspiration was to create some kind of business that could grow community to community. Hopefully, something that could possibly spread across the U.S. and maybe even internationally. While still maintaining a grassroots feel. Once we get a business model down locally we can hopefully take that model and bring it to other communities. That way we can share the app in others interested in helping out their art scene in the same way.
Dominic: We feel like there is a big inefficiency in the way that the community interacts with art culture. We want to bring the same functionality that people experience anywhere else into the art realm. We think it would make it feel less like a “walled garden” . It would be approachable and easier to find something you are interested in.
Why do you think it’s challenging to become immersed in the local art scene?
Derick: SC has such a great art scene. But it can still be difficult for artists to dive in. There’s not always enough time for collectors to find new or established artists. Opportunities like Open Studios, for example, often only happen once a year. There were over 300 participating Open Studios artists this past October. I only made it to about 50, so there were still hundreds of artists I wasn’t able to visit. Art markets featuring a number of artists pop up around town as well. But we’ve talked to people at those events who were overwhelmed trying to get around to see all the booths. They want to have enough time to check everything out.
In terms of collectors, there’s also kind of a stigma around buying original art. That it’s only available for people who are maybe a little bit older in life or who have a larger amount of money to invest in art. For both locals and newcomers in the community, it can sometimes be a high barrier of entry to get into the art scene. It helps if you know people that are already a part of it. These are things we hope to change with this platform. We see art as something that everyone should be able to enjoy at whatever level works for them.
Dominic: Right now, you almost need someone you trust to show you around the art world. It’s hard to know where to go to look at paintings, take a photography class, or even just explore artists that you mightlike.
How does the app provide a solution for all types of artists and collectors, and what excites you about the potential of this platform as it continues to develop?
Derick: The more we became aware of the difficulties the community was facing, the more we thought it would be easier to have everything available on one platform. People could discover artists and search through a large number of them quickly. Artists could present their work or communicate with buyers at any time of the year.
Based on the technology of the app, we’d like to eventually include videos of the artists talking about their work. There are also more chat features on the app. It is less about you being on an app just to buy and receive an order. It becomes about having opportunities to get to know the artists and learn about their inspiration and work. So, there’s a more personal connection available when you shop on Loc Art than if you were buying a piece on Etsy.
Right now we have a QR code that takes people to the app if they scan it. We might implement a QR code for artists who hang up their art locally, So, you could quickly scan artwork you see around town on your phone. The artist’s profile would come up, and you could follow them and stay connected with them that way.
Another big thing we’re excited about is the calendar on the app that helps people get out to more art events and classes. For right now, we’re sharing dates of events that other businesses in SC are putting on, like the Makers Market, Open Studios, and holiday markets. We’ve partnered with the Cabrillo College Extension program to promote their art classes, as well as the All Hands workshops. Hopefully, in the future, we can branch out and host our own community events.
Dominic: We’re excited to continue to innovate tech for the art community. Eventually, we would like to give artists the ability to treat Loc Art like their virtual store – with a unique link to their own account, where their artwork is hosted. We are looking to build features leveraging feedback from the community of artists who are actually using our platform.
How has the SC art scene impacted you personally and inspired the creative design of Loc Art?
Derick: Dominic and I were both lucky to have had so many great art classes available to us throughout all our years of school. I took several classes in film photography as well as ceramics and jewelry classes. I was aware that many people around the country don’t have the luxury of having diverse art classes. Getting that first-hand experience and enjoying the process of creating was a huge draw for wanting to bring attention to local artists and support other art-oriented people.
The business has come a long way since my original idea. I never thought I’d have my own app, but it’s been exciting to see technology merging with the art scene. There’s a huge connection that happens that makes the experience of art so much easier for everyone to enjoy.
Dominic: What a great question. I think growing up in Santa Cruz (and around the art and creativity here) pushed me to walk my own path. There are some “characters” in Santa Cruz that aren’t afraid to do things their own way. I think Loc Art reflects that in its own way, too. We are going against the norms, but for the right reason – to support art.
De La Sierra,30″ x 32″, fabric collage with apillera
Most Importantly to honor the Indigenous People
Mexico is home to numerous distinct indigenous people each with their own customs and languages. Certainly each of the 29 Mexican states has several native costumes influenced by the mix of Spanish, Mestizo and indigenous people. Moreover,most festivals have roots in the indigenous past. Primarily, these are the roots that I celebrate when I make my fabric collages. Moreover,the desire to create a way to combine by love of sewing with my love of Mexico inspired the start of my art quilt life. Similarly,my Mexican inspired fabric collages evolved from that. Above all,I create the collages with fabric, details and found objects that I identify with the Mexican experience.
Frolic of the Lizards,34″ x 34″Flowers for her Hair,29″ x 29″Bag of Cultural Gems,22″ x 29″
Many Ways to make Fabric Collages
First, I start by choosing the fabrics and colors that go together. In addition,my design wall helps me to find their “special” spot. Moreover,it is important to decide what will go on top of the space beforehand. Jewelry or a finished iconic piece of fabric may be highlighted like a bandana or an arpillera. If the piece has many busy objects, then there needs to have an open calm space as the background. Popular trends in handcrafts of past generations in the United States were likewise popular in Mexico. Tatting and doily making were crossborder trends. I sometimes choose these for my pieces.
Abuelita”s Treasures,22″ x 26″
Sewing the Pieces Together
Next I sew the fabric pieces together. Then I pay attention to the order in which I need to sew the items on. Depending on the embellishment, I may quilt the whole top firstand then hand sew on the embellishments afterwards. Artist made 3D figures, flowers and hair bows add interest. Found objects including antique huipil pieces may be used. Colorful ribbons remind one of the movement and action of folkloric dancing. Sometimes I will fuse fun fabric pieces to the top.The whimsy flows.
Mexican Fireworks,23″ w x 33″hEl Senor y La Senora Win Loteria,31″ x31″
In Conclusion
Finally,these fabric collages are fun to sew together and embellish. Furthermore,I hope that you will be inspired to create you own. In addition,please feel free share them with me.
In conclusion,here is a link to some of my favorite blogs. The Thelmdatter posts are historical and informational about the diverse handicrafts made in Mexico. Unfortunately,the blog has been discontinued.
Rosie Lee Tompkins, Untitled (1996), quilted by Irene Bankhead.
Variations on a Theme,artist unknown
