Category: Creativity and Inspiration

Creativity and Inspiration can come from anywhere for artists.This post presents ideas that may release your creativity. Take your art in a new direction.

https://annbaldwinmayartquilts.com/2018/11/sources-of-ones-creativity/

https://annbaldwinmayartquilts.com/2019/09/becoming-more-creative/

About the Quilt Artist

My art quilts are all about the quilt artist creating abstract, whimsical or impressionistic pieces. Inspiration comes from the natural world as well as from Mexican and Native American influences. My materials of choice are often redirected fabrics from the San Francisco Design Center and found objects. Art quilts free me to play with color and texture. My technique, Scribble Quilting allows me to create movement on many of my pieces.

TWO INSPIRATIONAL ARTISTS

I owe some of my inspiration to two artists from Santa Cruz County, California. Meri Vahl, an award winning art quilter has been recognized nationally for her work. Teacher of the fabric layering technique, she was patient. Understanding that each student brought individual strengths, weaknesses and abilities. Ellen edith;friend, art quilter, fabric designer and artist extraordinaire made whimsical, personal quilts. Her influence lives on well beyond her life. I have great appreciation for these two local leaders of the art quilt world.

SAQA (STUDIO ART QUILT ASSOCIATES)

I am proud to be part of an evergrowing group of art quilters. SAQA started by Yvonne Porcella in Northern California in 1989. It has grown to an international organization. Art quilters have transformed the quilt into a 21^st Century art form. I continue to explore new forms and ways of working with unusual materials on this journey.

ABOUT THE ARTIST,BIO

I was born and raised in Palo Alto, California. In high school I studied sewing and clothing construction for two years. I continued to sew much of my wardrobe. In 1974,I took my first quilting class at a neighborhood fabric store. Over the years, I continued to sew clothes and make quilts for my family. I stopped counting bed quilts at 300. After teaching 30 years in Watsonville as a bilingual teacher, I retired to spend more time on creating art quilts.

MY FIRST ART QUILT

Homage to a Dancer,45″ x 56″

In 2008, I made my first art quilt, Homage to a Dancer. It reflects my participation in Los Méxicas,the University of California,Santa Cruz ballet folklórico group.

A STUDIO IN THE ART CENTER

In May of 2016, I opened a studio in the Santa Cruz Art Center, 1001 Center St. Downtown Santa Cruz. I have space to work and display my work. For First Fridays and Open Studios, I fill the lobby with art. In June, 2019 New York Art Center accepted my work into their gallery. 7 Franklin Place, TRIBECA, New York City.

AWARD WINNING ARTIST

Great Blue Heron at Dusk,31″ x 25″

Great Blue Heron at Dusk entered into an art show in 2010. The following year it won a merit award at the Olive Hyde Art Gallery in Fremont,California.
In 2013, Visions of New Mexico won third place in the Neo Membreno Vessels 2013 Show at the Western New Mexico University Museum in Silver City, New Mexico.

How to Develop Your Art Passion

Poppin' Back

Develop Your Art Passion

How do you develop your art passion? Recently on two separate occasions I was explaining my art to another person. They both lamented that they couldn’t sew. Sewing was so hard. Yet,one person was definitely of the age of a person who had to take sewing at school. The other one was was much younger. However, she also mentioned that sewing was an impossibly hard task to do.

Where does One’s passion start?

As mentioned I can’t pinpoint when my passion for sewing started. No, my mother was not a strong seamstress. No, my grandparents were not nearby to teach me nor did they sew. Yet, I do remember begging my mother to sign me up for sewing lessons the summer after sixth grade. I don’t remember begging my parents for anything else. Okay, I did write a persuasive argument for why I needed to have a car. Does that even count? My begging usually focussed on not having to do something. I have a vague memory of trying to get out of a piano recital that I hadn’t practiced for. Music is not a strong point of mine.

My First Sewing Classes

So my mother signed me up to take sewing classes at the local Singer Sewing Store downtown. The classes were a disaster.The teacher expected to help ladies finish their projects. Her expertice did not involve teaching the basics to twelve year olds. How to do lay out a pattern on fabric and cut it out was not in her plan. Public school teachers to the rescue! Luckily, 8th grade sewing did just that. I was on my way. Little did I know that it would develop into a lifelong passion.

Developing an Art Passion

This was the late 1960s. Girls and women were still expected to know how to sew. Yet, my older sister didn’t like it. She said she didn’t have the patience. Did I think that I was a patient person? No. I liked fashion as much as any teenaged girl did. My outfits certainly didn’t push the fashion envelope. I was not an avant garde dresser.

Developing a Skill Set

But without knowing it, I was developing a skill set. I was learning about selecting fabrics. With practice,I learned what pattern envelopes said, what they meant, and what they didn’t say. Moreover, I developed opinions about what they should have said. I also knew I wanted to take an elective class of sewing in high school.I ended up taking the advanced class too. Who knows?Bound buttons may come back in style.

Imagine this top fluffy for the one I made

Back to the fuzzy yellow knitted top. I do remember planning my ensembles with texture and variations in mind. I studied my ensembles for high school. What combinations of outfits did I already have? What materials or colors were they in? How could I make something that would add a difference for my wardrobe? How could I add texture and interest to the clothes I wore?

Inspired by a Tam and Scarf

Yet at this point,sewing was my hobby. Graduating a four year college was my family’s expectation for me. I had no problems with that. I did get accepted to UC,Irvine, my first choice. My back up school was Cal Poly San Luis Obispo. SLO is famous for their home economics department. I often wonder how my life would have turned out differently if I had gone there. The closest thing to home economics at UC,Irvine was chemistry lab.

Schooling and Career

So I got a degree in History, worked on my Spanish, Master in Teaching and became an elementary school teacher. I worked passionately with second language learners for 36 years. No regrets.

Over the years I kept sewing. I made clothes for myself and my family. I learned to quilt and I kept quilting. Most of the quilts were for family members and donation quilts for charities. I learned different techniques like applique and paper piecing. I stopped counting my bed quilts at 300!

Art Quilts

Much later I switched to art quilts. I have over 400 art quilts,large and small listed on my inventory. I learned different techniques including free motion quilting.I started entering juried art shows.Pieces sold. Practice makes perfect.Sometimes it feels good to realize that I actually know something and can comfortably do it. Do I still try new things? Yes.

Art in College

I took a year of studio art, drawing and painting in college. The teaching style in the late 1960s was totally hands off. The student was free to do their own thing. The teacher said in a positive comment that I did funny little pictures. Looking back, I realize part of my problem is that I didn’t practice. I didn’t put in the hours to become good at it. I didn’t have the passion to keep at it to develop my skills. Malcolm Gladwell https://www.gladwellbooks.com/in his book, Outliers said it takes10,000 times to get really good at something. That sounds like a lot unless one loves doing it, has fun and is passionate about continuing.

In Conclusion

Passion! Dedication! is the answer.So much so that you will choose to stick to something even when you get frustrated. Yet you keep going and over time you get better and better. Maybe you will even reach an advanced skill level. At age of ten, I knew, I wanted sewing lessons. I didn’t know why. I still don’t. But sewing and the related field of quilting has stayed with me pretty much my whole life. So much so that I can only laugh when some artist says how hard it is for them. Isn’t it great that we all have different skills and talents! Find your passion and stick to it.

https://annbaldwinmayartquilts.com/2022/06/in-search-of-unusual-color-combos/

https://annbaldwinmayartquilts.com/2022/06/how-to-discover-your-artistic-signature/

How to Choose Between Hard or Soft Art Materials

Paddling Along, 10" x 3.5"

Art Materials: Hard or Soft

An acquaintance who follows my work on Instagram recently commented on the progress of my work into hard materials. The comment stopped me in my tracks. What? It made me think. For me, moving into assemblage was something that I had been doing for a while at a very slow pace. Assemblage is a 3D collage generally of diverse found objects.Yes, fabric art quilts are soft and generaly 3D materials are hard. Yet, I hadn’t thought about it that way.

3D Found Materials

As an art quilter I had often added 3D found objects to my work. Whimsical toy soldiers, artificial flowers, pieces of jewelry are just a few examples. Seeing it from another’s view made me take a second look at what I was doing. Larger tile pieces would be too heavy to work with.As a result, I had chosen quarter inch tiles and other objects mainly due to their size and color.

Inspiration

I draw inspiration from the materials and how they play together. I gather materials without thinking about how I will use them. This process applies to the hard or soft art materials that I work with. My sources are redirected sample designer materials. If the small slate-like samples had not been available, I wouldn’t have searched for them. On the other hand, I wouldn’t have even known that they existed.

Materials Front and Center

In the past, I have spent time looking for the perfect piece of fabric for a project. It was frustrating and time consuming. Moreover, the results were often disappointing. I discovered that my imagined perfect fabric didn’t always perform as perfectly as I had expected. Working with what is in front of me proved more creative, artistic and satisfying.

On the other hand, a shopping situation with distractions galore overwhelms me. With the materials front and center, I can quickly see that the scale or color either did or didn’t work. This proves more fun anyway even allowing serendippity to happen. Materials,however, fabulous don’t always work for every project. Save them for another project.

Color! Texture! Movement!

My mantra is Color! Texture! Movement! That is what I want the viewer to take away from my art quilts. Changing to hard materials didn’t fundamentally change that for me. I do admit it might look differently from the outside or to a viewer on a tiny screen.

The whole concept of choosing hard or soft art materials did not cross my mind. Even though some materials are obviously heavier and harder than others. I selected the background wallpaper to build action and color into the piece. Slight variations of colors in the pieces of concrete flow. Variations of width of the materials add depth.

Scale

The size of the project and time involved encouraged me to widen my artistic scope. Scale followed quickly. One cannot make smaller items without being aware of scale. True confessions time- I wanted some projects with a lower price point. Even small quilts involve time consuming hand work. Yet,smaller doesn’t always mean less time involved in the creation. Depending on the materials at hand,working with a smaller scale can negatively affect the time spend on designing.

People see Things Differently

I appreciate getting insight into how others view my work. The hard and soft comment opened my mind. Some comments from people I take more seriously than others.A comment from an experienced quilt artist would catch my atttention. However, I generally ignore some comments. A gentleman once commented that a piece reminded him of a particular place. I listened and even googled that location.Yet, that place had not been my inspiration. While I was willing to listen, I was not too concerned. People see things differently. They bring their own experiences to how they view a piece.

Start at the End, Sometimes

Some of my fiber artist friends are extremely talented. One in particular would use unusual found objects to create incredibly engaging art pieces. Yet when she was finished she didn’t know how to hang or best display her large 3D work. So I decided that I would consider how to display the work before I got started. With these assemblage pieces I attached a hook first.Then I continued designing the piece. Working backwards is new process for me.

Art Materials: Hard or Soft — Cityscape, 9″ x 7″

A Unifying Look

Early in my creative process I acquired twelve identical wooden boxes of varying pale colors. That was a good start for me. Usually I never consider how a piece will look next to another piece. This gave me a chance to unify my look. Some assemblage pieces can be hung and some can sit on a shelf or table.

So I start with a frame or wooden box. Then I add a hook to hang it on. Next,I search for wall paper that complements the box color . With luck it adds texture. Because I am new to this process, I want to know where I will end before I permanently attaching the paper. This may change as I gain more experience. The viewer doesn’t know what the artist began with and how they might have added or subtracted from what was there.

Metal or Wood

Assemblage artists generally choose materials from wood and metal. Personally my preference is wood. Metal just doesn’t speak to me in the same way. In the class I took I learned how to use an electric drill to make holes in metal or other objects. I still have my childhood skates that attached to my saddle shoes. I would love to use them in a piece. Several times I have tried to see what might work with the skates with no success. As much as I love them, I will save them for a later date.

In Conclusion

In conclusion, it is not about the materials being hard or soft. It is the color, texture and movement of the surface that inspires this artist to create something new and hopefully exciting. How will you push yourself to try something new? Do your materials inspire you to move to your next level?https://annbaldwinmayartquilts.com/2021/03/beginning-steps-to-creating/

These pieces of assemblage are available at my etsy shop.

https://www.etsy.com/shop/annbmayartquilts/

You may be interested in reading more about assemblage.

https://annbaldwinmayartquilts.com/2021/05/paper-as-art-material/

https://annbaldwinmayartquilts.com/2021/02/recent-attempts-at-assemblage/

https://annbaldwinmayartquilts.com/2021/01/first-steps-towards-assemblage/

https://annbaldwinmayartquilts.com/videos-of-art-quilts/art-quilt-video-2-continues/

https://annbaldwinmayartquilts.com/2021/09/art-in-a-box-assemblage/

Soar with the Birds in These Art Quilts

Pelican in the Mist

Birds in Art Quilts

Birds fill our world with color, sound and movement. One of my favorite places to be is outside, the natural habital for birds.True confessions time-Drawing is not one of my best skills. However,I can copy an outline of a bird. So that is how I often incorporate birds into my art quilts. At this point in my life, I am working with my strengths.

Big Brown Owl,14 " x 15" 36cm x 38cm on a pieced golden background — Big Brown Owl,14 ” x 15″ 36cm x 38cm

Shelter in Place Art

Westlake Coot, Big Brown Owl and Westside Egret were created during the first Shelter in Place. I only had limited materials with me,a large bag with small squares. Created the background first, before I considered what would do on the top. Fabric is my first motivation. How will the fabrics play together? Many times the subject matter, comes later. What subject would work with this background? Birds against a sky was my first thought. Size and scale required a smaller scene. Why do a whole body of an egret when a neck supplies the viewer with enough information?

Westlake Coot,Birds in Art Quilts,black bird on blue background 14" x 15", 36cm x 38cm $120. — Westlake Coot, 14″ x 15″, 36cm x 38cm $120.

Birds in Art Quilts, head of egret on blue background Westside Egret, 15" x 16" 38cm x 40cm — Westside Egret, 15″ x 16″ 38cm x 40cm

Birds flying across the moon in the blue night sky. Night Migration,20" x 24" 51cm x 61cm — Night Migration,20″ x 24″ 51cm x 61cm

Never miss an opportunity to add texture.

A bird’s habitat is full of texture, trees, grasses and underbrush. Threads and found materials lend themselves well to creating an impressionistic view of an avian’s favorite place to be.

Snowy Egret,34" x 24",86 cm x 61cm white egret in the brush — Snowy Egret,34″ x 24″
86 cm x 61cm

Break Your Own Rules

Pelican in the Mist and Nesting Pelican break my rule for just doing bird outlines. Looking at the light and dark stripes of redirected piece of fabric reminded me of feathers. I cut the fabric and used the same fabric to make the wings,legs and the body of a pelican. An artist never knows where inspiration will come from. Take a chance.Sometimes things just work.

Pelican in the Mist,25" x 23", 64cm x 66cm pelican flapping wings — Pelican in the Mist,25″ x 23″ 64cm x 66cm

Water Fowl and Coastal Birds

Inspiration often comes from one’s locale. I live on the Central Coast of California. The second largest wetlands in the state, Elkhorn Slough is not far away. Westlake Park with a spring fed pond is adjacent to the local elementary school.

Staying close to home is what we all did this year. Be inspired by where you are.

https://annbaldwinmayartquilts.com/2022/04/free-motion-quilting-hacks/!

https://annbaldwinmayartquilts.com/2020/03/make-a-fabric-landscape-collage-quilt/

https://www.etsy.com/shop/annbmayartquilts/

Learn more about the fabric layering technique-

https://annbaldwinmayartquilts.com/2017/07/fabric-layering-technique/

How to Begin Creating Art

Face with a Key Nose

Beginning Steps to Creating, Mixed Media assemblage, art in a box with open sides, antique key orange and peach — Orange Key,9″ x 7″

Beginning Steps to Creating Art

Beginning steps to creating art suggests some new ways of thinking about making our world beautiful. Creating comes naturally to humans. We are innately artists. We try to make our world beautiful. Some of us draw; while some of us paint. Others create beautiful food and table settings for our loved ones to enjoy. Others create beauty in their gardens.

Unfortunately, many of us do not feel that we are artistic. I certainly didn’t for many years. Yet, each of us can create beauty in our unique way. Here are some suggestions for beginning steps to creating a more beautiful everything or whatever you choose.

Beginning Steps to Creating Beauty

Part of my career as an elementary school teacher was spent at an arts infused school. We brought in special artists to teach across the arts curriculum from drawing, painting to theatre and dance. I had been at this school before this program started.

When the program began, the whole school adjusted its focus. I witnessed sn incredible shift in students’ attitudes. We told the children that we are going to try and make all of our work beautiful. We would not criticize the work of others. Trying to do one’s best was the important part. The attitude of the whole school changed for the better. It was so powerful to witness that change.

Think Differently.

Looking outside the box. Many times it is our own perspective that keeps us from seeing things in a new way. Often we acquire materials or fabric with a particular idea in mind. Then it is difficult to get rid of that idea or to envision a new use for the item.

Beginning Steps to Creating,Do these look like coffee beans on the fabric? — Do these look like coffee beans?

When I got this green fabric, it reminded me of coffee beans. That is the image that stuck in my head. I wasn’t sure how to use the fabric. It sat on the shelf for a long time. Then I began to think differently about it. How could I use it a different way? I decided to use the ovals as bit of motion in the truck of a tree. What little bits of color could I highlight to pull those colors to the forefront and diminish the greenish colors ? A peachy orange shade would do the trick. As my county recovered from the largest forest fire ever, my art quilts reflect that new growth.

Rebirth of a Forest,art quilt,29" x 22" fabric tree made from fabric that looked like coffee beans,greens and oranges — Rebirth of a Forest,art quilt,29″ x 22″

Turn the Fabric Around

Another way to look at a piece of material or fabric in a new way, is to turn it around. If it has definitite figures on it ,what will they look like from another direction? New and unrecognizable is what I would be going for. When an abstract artist finishes a work, they often turn the art upside down and sideways to see if it might look better from a different angle. The original fabric for the trees and branches in Skyward was a black,white and gray fabric that had greyhound dogs on it. The movement of the fabric caught my eye before I noticed that there were actual dogs on it.

grey and black dogs on fabric, Beginning Steps to Creating — Greyhounds

black and white branches on an indigo died background,Beginning Steps to Creating — Skyward, an art quilt

Imagining Shapes

While working on my nature quilts, I cut out shapes for trees, branches, fish, rocks, or waves. I look at the fabric to see if the shapes on the fabric tell me what it would like to be in my piece. Does a swervy line imply a wave? Maybe a mountrain will appear from the shapes on the fabric? If no shape strikes me on the fabric, then I create my own mountain or a river. The idea is not to find a piece of fabric that has a river on it. But to create a river from lines that the original fabric artist had not thought about..

Visualization

As I am creating, I try to visualize what the piece is lacking. What color or shape needs to be in a particular spot? This often guides me to a hue or textile choice. This is a newly acquired skill for me. I surprised myself when I realized visualization was happening. You can make it happen for you too.

Activities to Practice Beginning Steps to Creating

Here are a couple of powerful skills that can be practiced with no materials at all. Look at pieces of art in the real or virtual world. There certainly are many examples available on social media. Ask yourself, do you like this work? What do you like about it ? How would you make it better? If it were your piece to change, how would you modify it?

Keys to my Heart, 9" x 7", mixed media, art in a box, antique keys and white details — Keys to my Heart, 9″ x 7″

Another practice activity is to think of how many different non traditional ways an item could be used. I recently acquired a box of antique keys. I am venturing forward into assemblage, putting repurposed items together in unusual ways. What could the keys be used for? The possibilities are endless; a nose? hair? or other body parts or just purely decoration? While I searched the internet for inspiration, I came up empty. Left to my own devices,I have sprinkled this post with the ideas that I came up with.

Face with a Key Nose, mixed media — Face with a Key Nose

In Conclusion

Start with baby steps. Create small bits beauty in your life. Practice helps. I took an assemblage class over two years ago. It took me this long for the ideas to perculate through my brain. Be kind to yourself during the learning process. Trying in the first step. There are no mistakes just whether you as the artist likes it or not. If not, modify it. Dip into your humanity and make the world more beautiful.

https://www.etsy.com/shop/annbmayartquilts/

https://annbaldwinmayartquilts.com/2021/07/art-materials-hard-or-soft/

https://annbaldwinmayartquilts.com/2021/09/develop-your-art-passion/

https://annbaldwinmayartquilts.com/2021/01/first-steps-towards-assemblage/

https://annbaldwinmayartquilts.com/2021/02/recent-attempts-at-assemblage/

https://annbaldwinmayartquilts.com/2021/05/paper-as-art-material/

More ideas- Here is one of my favorite artists.
https://www.janetsilverglate.com/

Using Fabrics Saved for a Long Time

Cactus Dreams,abstract art quilt

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.

random pieces,Using Fabrics Saved for a Long Time — Sunset Through the Forest random pieces

Using Fabrics Saved for a Long Time — Sunset 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 fabric,Using Fabrics Saved for a Long Time — rose and gold fabric

finished art quiltUsing Fabrics Saved for a Long Time — ATLAS 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.

green yellow red with box — fabric with green,yellow,red and boxes

Cactus Dreams,detail ,abstract art quilt — Cactus Dreams,detail,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!

https://www.etsy.com/shop/annbmayartquilts/

Desire more texture in your art? Add decorative threads.

an egret in the wetlands,Decorative Threads Add Texture — 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.

https://annbaldwinmayartquilts.com/2019/07/creating-texture-in-art/

Discovering New Materials

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 details,Decorative Threads Add Texture — decorative details

Ribbons from disassembled details,Decorative Threads Add Texture — Ribbons 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 abstract art quilt,Decorative Threads Add Texture — Cinnamon Threads, detail from an abstract art quilt detail of 23″ x 20″ art quilt

How Would You Use These Decorative Threads?

Decorative Threads Add Texture,Red detail — Red detail

Beige detail and disassembled red detail,Decorative Threads Add Texture — Beige 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.

Big egret a work in progress — An egret, a work in progress

fibers in a work in progress,Decorative Threads Add Texture — fibers 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.

These articles may be of interest to you.
https://annbaldwinmayartquilts.com/2020/04/an-abstract-art-quilt-sunset-through-the-forest/

http://fabmo.org

https://annbaldwinmayartquilts.com/2022/12/the-devil-is-in-the-details-textile-details/

https://annbaldwinmayartquilts.com/2017/12/the-amazing-story-of-fabmo-how-two-dedicated-people-can-make-a-big-difference/

https://annbaldwinmayartquilts.com/2017/07/underwater-fantasy-art-quilt-a-work-in-progress/

https://annbaldwinmayartquilts.com/2017/06/yarn-adds-texture-to-an-art-quilt/

https://annbaldwinmayartquilts.com/2020/01/creating-movement-in-abstract-art-quilts/

https://www.etsy.com/shop/annbmayartquilts

How to Name an Art Work

Shore to Sky Z

Gees Bend inspired art quilt in green and cream — Shore to Sky H

How to Name an Art Work

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

an abstract art quilt named because of blue fabrics with pops of color like water,How to Name an Art Work — 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

an abstract fabric collage art quilt in black, white, and rust,How to Name an Art Work — 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,How to Name an Art Work — 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

a tree with a fence,fabric art,How to Name an Art Work — Under the Shady Tree,37″ x 25″

award winning art quilt of a great blue heron,How to Name an Art Work — Great Blue Heron at Dusk, 31″ x 25″

an art quilt using black and white background,How to Name an Art Work — Gridlock I, 33″ x 31″

an art quilt using black and white background with bits of color,How to Name an Art Work — 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

Gees Bend inspired art quilt in greens and beige — Shore to Sky Z

Gees Bend inspired art quilt in blues — Shore 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.

https://annbaldwinmayartquilts.com/2020/04/forging-your-own-art-path/

https://www.etsy.com/shop/annbmayartquilts

To learn more about Brad Burkhart’s process to name his art follow this link.

https://burkhart-sculptor.com/category/name-a-piece/

http://annbmayartquilts.etsy.com/

How to Create Movement in Abstract Art Quilts

Creating Movement in Abstract Art Quilts

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.

My Mantra

The question brought my mantra into focus; color, texture, movement. As I have already posted about color and texture in my art quilts, it is time to explore creating movement in my abstract art quilt pieces. https://annbaldwinmayartquilts.com/2019/08/adding-color-to-your-art-quilts/

bright blues, greens and yellow fabrics create movement in this art quilt 37 " x 37" 94cm x 94cm — Beach Umbrellas,an abstract art quilt,
37 ” x 37″ 94cm x 94cm curved line piecing creates move

Spring Break, an abstract art quilt of blues, yellows and green create movement 32" x 32" 81cm x 81cm — Spring 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,lines on fabric create movement — Beginning to zigzag yarns on grey, black, white linen background

Skyward, First steps -See the dogs.https://annbaldwinmayartquilts.com/2021/06/abstract-art-in-fabric/

Movement While Quilting

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.

Black and White branches on an indigo and white sky background 25" x 25" 63cm x 63cm — 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.

https://annbaldwinmayartquilts.com/2019/01/yarn-adds-texture-to-art-quilts-again/

an abstract art quilt in rust and browns, curvy lines of yarn create movement
21" x 19"
53 cm x 48 cm — 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.

an abstract art quilt black and white with bits of color,curved line piecing creates movement 36" x 42"
91 cm x 107 cm — Gridlock II, an abstract art quilt,
36″ x 42″ 91 cm x 107 cm curved line piecing creates movement

an abstract art quilt black and white,curved line piecing creates movement 33" x 31" 84cm x 79 cm — Gridlock 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.”

an abstract art quilt in pale blue, light green and cream colors,wacky, fun scribble quilting creates movement 29"h x 25"w 74 cm x 64cm — 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.

https://artistconference.com/

Here are links to my posts about adding color and texture to art quilts.

https://annbaldwinmayartquilts.com/2021/06/abstract-art-in-fabric/

https://annbaldwinmayartquilts.com/2019/07/creating-texture-in-art/

https://annbaldwinmayartquilts.com/2019/08/color/

https://annbaldwinmayartquilts.com/2019/07/creating-texture-in-art/

https://annbaldwinmayartquilts.com/2017/10/step-by-step-instructions/

https://www.etsy.com/shop/annbmayartquilts

https://annbaldwinmayartquilts.com/2017/04/wacky-fun-scribblequilting/

https://annbaldwinmayartquilts.com/2021/08/when-why-how-to-quilt/

Favorite Colors? Surprising The Things That Stay With You

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?

fluffy mohair sweater 1960's style,Memories of Favorite Colors — 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.

Memories of Favorite Colors, a beautiful lilac dress — lilac dress

lilac dressMemories of Favorite Colors — 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.

purple black ,white medium blue abstract art quilt — Splendid Fairy Wren, 30″ h x 25″ w

3D art quilt with girl and cacti Mexican inspired — Under the Palapa, 27″ x 21″

Gees Bend inspired art quilt in light purple and grey — Shore to Sky E, 10″ x 10″

purple, pink and red art quilt inspired by Valentine's Day — 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.

https://www.etsy.com/shop/annbmayartquilts

What Makes my Art Unique? Coming into my Own as an Art Quilter

Sea Turtles,23" x 35"

Coming into my Own as an Art Quilter

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.

https://annbaldwinmayartquilts.com/2019/11/following-your-heart/

https://annbaldwinmayartquilts.com/2018/12/on-being-brave/

black, white medium blue abstract art quilt — American Democracy,2019 27″ w x 28″h

Others’ Art Quilts

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,an underwater fantasy art quilt — 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.

an abstract art quilt in beiges and browns — 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.

https://annbaldwinmayartquilts.com/2019/09/becoming-more-creative/

underwater seascape — Marine Canyon Dwellers,
26″ h x 25″w

Threads and Colors

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.

a tree with a fence,fabric art — 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/

Mexican themed fabric collage — De La Sierra, fabric collage with appillera, 32″ x 30″

https://annbaldwinmayartquilts.com/2018/12/on-being-brave/

https://annbaldwinmayartquilts.com/2020/01/memories-of-color-favorites/

https://annbaldwinmayartquilts.com/2018/11/sources-of-ones-creativity/

https://annbaldwinmayartquilts.com/2020/04/forging-your-own-art-path/

https://annbaldwinmayartquilts.com/2019/03/pechakucha-laser-talk/

https://www.etsy.com/shop/annbmayartquilts https://annbaldwinmayartquilts.com/blog-posts/

https://annbaldwinmayartquilts.com/2019/09/fond-fabric-memories/

Check out A Volunteer’s Path to Chairman

Holly, Hannah and Jonathan speak with visitors to FABMO

A Volunteer’s Path to Chairman

by Holly Welstein, FabMo’s Board Chairwoman (edited for space)

A Volunteer’s Path to Chairman- How did I start down a volunteer’s path to chairman?

Recently I attended the annual Volunteer Appreciation BBQ. It went along with FabMo’s 11th official birthday! It was a great chance to socialize with a wonderful group of people on a special occasion. Yet my earliest contact with FabMo happened over 15 years ago. It was way before the nonprofit was official.

Some Musings of an Accidental Board Chair

My first experience was responding to a Freecycle post for promising free designer material. I ended up sitting on Hannah & Jonathan’s living room floor. They encouraged me to dump out textile treasures from large black plastic bags.The bags were piled up on their sofa. I could take what I liked. Everything went back in the bags, when I was done.But oh, be careful and look out for staples.

Needless to say, I was hooked on a volunteer’s path to chairman.

A Volunteer's Path to Chairman, FABMO founder Hannah and Jonathan Cranch — Hannah and Jonathan Cranch, founders of FABMO

Slowly, the FabMo enterprise grew. My involvement slowly grew along with it. I helped with simple things like setting up tables, sorting fabric and chatting with newcomers. That led to helping plan our first Maker Faire participation. Later I headed a Boutique committee for six years. That helped this volunteer’s path to chairmanThen I received an invitation to join the Board. So for the past three years I serviced as the Board Chair. Whew!!! I really wanted to do was sew purses with some beautiful fabric!

What I know at this point is that the work we do at FabMo and only happens because individuals step up to do it. So I send a big thank you to every volunteer. What I also know is that much of the behind the scenes work is mysterious to many of you.

How the Board Works

The FabMo Board of Directors invites you to consider whether volunteer service on the Board or a Committee is for you. Could your future include a volunteer’s path to chairman?

From chairing the Board meetings to representing FabMo being on the Board has many interesting aspects.

FabMo is an all volunteer organization. There are no paid staff or Executive Director. That means the FabMo Board is a working board that acts as an Executive Director when needed. Te board provides organizational leadership and vision and makes policy. We are responsible for financial oversight and staying true to its mission. We want the group to be financially healthy and stable. So that we can continue to do our important work. That is to divert valuable materials away from the landfill and into the hands of people who will use them.

We meet every 5-6 weeks.At times there is a special extra meetings . In the past year, we have purchased a van. We created a protocol for the van’s use. We adopted a policy for our social media presence.The board worked with the Treasurer to craft a budget. we began to write charters for our committees. A quarterly Committee Chairs meeting encourages communications within FabMo. Most of the work is overseen by committees but the Board has the final say. Could your future include a volunteer’s path to chairman?

In the Coming Year

This upcoming year the Board will be evaluating our current business and operating models to consider changes to support our mission. In particular, our rent continues to rise.It is crucial that we find new sources of revenue.We need to remain financially healthy going forward. Could your future include a volunteer’s path to chairman?

So who Serves on the FabMo Board of Directors?

Well in 2019, our 7 members are: Tina Baumgartner,Estelle Chalfin,Leslie Kern,Zita Macy,Michelle Redel,Ginger Silverman,Holly Welstein. Maybe in 2020, your name will be here!

I welcome the chance to chat with anyone interested in learning more. I can answer any questions you have. If you want to attend a Board meeting, please let me know.
Warmly,Holly
board@fabmo.org
July 29, 2019

https://www.fabmo.org/

https://www.etsy.com/shop/annbmayartquilts/

It has been great to be part of this all volunteer organization for about 10 years. I source many of the materials there that I use in my art quilts. I feel strongly about their efforts. Ann Baldwin May, art quilter

See My Fond Fabric Memories

Ecology Flag

Some Fond Fabric Memories

Some fond fabric memories have stuck with me for many decades. Sewing had been a passion of mine for many years. Then I focussed on quilting traditional bed quilts. I began my art quilting adventure ten years.Where did this passion for sewing begin? In search of the answer to that question, I looked back on some fond fabric memories.

Elementary School

For several years in elementary school, the local women’s chorus came to sing for the school. Singing ladies filled the auditorium stage, each wearing a dress of one solid color. I was mesmerized by all of the different colors. This choir sang only a couple of times at my school, but the image of their dresses stayed with me much more than the music. It was such a fond memory that at age thirty I sewed myself a one color dress (teal)that I wore to work for many years.

The Summer before Grade 7

This !960s crop top and shorts are similar to my first sewing project.

At age 12, I begged my mom to let me take sewing lessons during the summer. My memory is that I had to really push to convince my mom to sign me up. My mom was an incredible knitter but she rarely sewed. A friend of mine from sixth grade and I signed up at the local Singer Sewing Machine store downtown. We diligently chose patterns and fabric to make a pair of shorts and a crop top. If only the class had been designed for a total beginner, it would have been fine. However, the teacher expected women to bring in unfinished projects for her to help them finish. My friend and I had no idea of how to get started or what to do. What a disaster!

Eighth Grade

Luckily, I persevered. Eighth grade sewing taught me the basics of using a pattern and of skirt and blouse construction. I made a white collarless short sleeved shirt with a 7” zipper at the neck. The blue skirt was an A-line.Was there a waistband? Another a 7” zipper was necessary for the skirt. Putting in a zipper was definitely a learned skill. I don’t remember loving the class. But for some reason, I did want to continue to learn more about sewing.

High School

In high school in the late 1960s, I took two years of sewing. I continued to construct more difficult items for my wardrobe. Fond memories involve making jackets with bound buttons . Sophistication reigned when I wore those jackets.In those days, department stores like Macys and The Emporium where I worked sold fabric. As many teenaged girls did,I put a lot of thought into planning my wardrobe. My memory is that I worked hard to have a variety of styles and textures in my clothes. I knit a pale yellow shell to go with a skirt I had sewed. Didn’t everyone make sure their wardrobe was intriguing and fiber fresh?

Adulthood

Over the years I continued sewing clothes. I branched out into bed quilts. I was so passionate about traditional quilts. Often after a monthly lecture at our quilt guild, I wouldn’t be to sleep. I would be so excited to try out a new idea! The memory of my passion remains.

A Fashion Show

Another fond memory while transitioning to my art quilt career involved a fashion show at the Pacific International Quilt Festival. The group challenge was to create an outfit inspired by the book, Rare Bird by Iris Apfel. I made a tunic and skirt using African prints. The skirt is trimmed in black and white lace. While actual quilting was not involved, piecing the fabrics into blocks did take place. I created the fabric by sewing the blocks together. Then I cut out the pieces using a pattern. I had to pay attention to where the particular blocks would show up on the actual tunic.

tunic and skirt made for Pacific International Quilt Show Fashion Show

Becoming an Art Quilter

I have now been making art quilts for ten years. People have told me that I have a good eye for color.My formal art education included one year of breath requirements ( drawing and painting). During my elementary school teaching career, I did work for several years at an arts infused school. When local artists taught my class, I participated along with the students. I later incorporated those lessons into my curriculum.

All in all not a lot of formal art education which makes me reflect on where the sources of my art success come from. I am not sure what I can attribute that to. Maybe the years of wardrobe planning did inform my eye for color. Throughout my whole life, I continued to play with fabrics, textiles and colors. Generally I thought all women did. However, recently I have become aware of the fact that color choices come easier to some than others. Based om my fond fabric memories, I conclude that practice and persistence counts.

You may also be interested in this article about what I do now.https://annbaldwinmayartquilts.com/2019/02/why-one-makes-art/

https://annbaldwinmayartquilts.com/2019/06/resilience/

http://annbmayartquilts.etsy.com/

Want to Be More Creative?

American Democracy,2019 3D details are visible.

Are you curious about how to become more creative? Have you ever thought how creativity works? Is someone born with it? Is it a developed skill? Or is it magic? I personally feel that it is a bit of all of those things. But for the most part, creativity is based on a lot of practice, making mistakes and hard work.

Becoming More Creative

They must be a Genius.

I am not very musically inclined. Upon hearing a complicated piece of music, I would wonder how did someone create that? I would have no idea how the piece was put together. I assumed that the artist created the piece all at once. Therefore, they had to be some kind of a genius to be so special and creative.

Creativity is not a Fixed Entity.

More recently after creating many original art quilts, I have a clearer idea of how creativity works. Creativity is not a fixed entity. It must be nurtured and developed. The musicians might be very talented but probably they worked a long time on a particular piece working bit by bit. Maybe even different people contributed different parts. Ever notice that some people write the music and others write the words? People have strengths in different areas.Their genius takes years of practice.

Making Choices

When beginning an art quilt, first I decide what type of quilt I will make. Will it be an abstract, a nature piece or a Mexican inspired fabric collage? Then I begin to choose the colors based on the fabrics and materials that I have. It helps me to have a vague idea of where I am going. But I keep it flexible in case,I want to change things. Sometimes I start by making a lot of really interesting parts to be focal points. It could be a fabric doll, couched decorative threads or ribbons or 3D textural piece.

Plan something. Then Work to make it Better.

For an abstract art quilt, I begin by choosing a three color palette before adding light and dark hues. It is best to have an idea of what I am going to use these special details or parts for so that the colors I choose will work with the project. But there have been instances when these details haven’t worked as first intended. So were put aside and saved for another piece.

After choosing the colors, I take my first steps of laying the pieces on my design wall. Then I ponder, what I could do to make it better. How can I make it more artful or interesting? How can I add texture or movement to the piece? This is an ongoing process. I make those adjustments and continue on.

Fresh Eyes

Taking a break. Coming back to look again with fresh eyes is helpful and necessary. It is amazing how our eyes can fail to see things. Even when trying to look for errors and they are right in front of our face.

In Conclusion

After making over 400 art quilts, I have a clearer idea of how creativity works for me. Time in the studio working to create art is a must. I am motivated by the way different materials work together. Themes or colors may be the same but rarely do my pieces look similar. Serendipity does occur and should be embraced when it happens.

How I Found Inspiration for an Abstract Art Quilt

blue bird — Splendid Fairy Wren from Australia

Inspiration for an Abstract Art Quilt

Most artists will say that inspiration is everywhere. I certainly do agree with that statement. For example,my friend, The Lady Who Loves Birds, https://www.ladywholovesbirds.com/ sent me this photograph of the Splendid Fairy Wren of Australia. Isn’t this an incredible bird? The colors are inspirational. I immediately knew that I had to use the colors in a subsequent abstract art quilt.

First,I gathered by fabrics, medium blue, black and white.

Then, I put the sample fabrics on my design wall.

trying out locations, balancing shapes and colors step2

Next, I sewed some pieces together. I begin to try out locations.

Then, I continue to sew pieces together and find the right spot for them. I look to balance color, shape and details.

black and blue art quilt — on the table pinned , ready to be quilted step4

Finally,after the top is sewn together, I choose the backing fabric. I place it on a table. Then I cover it with the batting and the finished top. I pin the three layers together. This is called a quilt sandwich. Then I quilted the sandwich together using my scribble quilting technique.

Naming the Piece

I usually don’t do political art work. Yet, as I spoke about the quilt and called it by its colors, “my black and blue piece,” something hit home. During the summer of 2019 when I was working on it, I felt like the American democracy was bruised black and blue. American Democracy, 2019 seemed like a logical title.

A Funny thing Happened on the way to my Next Quilt

After I began gathering medium blue, white and black fabrics for American Democracy, 2019, I neglected to refer back to the fairy wren photo. Only after I had finished the piece and did I take another look at it. Much to my surprise, I realized that the bird actually had a lot of purple on it. I immediately set about creating a second piece incorporating more purple. Here is the result, Splendid Fairy Wren, abstract art quilt.

https://annbaldwinmayartquilts.com/2019/08/adding-color-to-your-art-quilts/

https://annbaldwinmayartquilts.com/2017/04/scribble-quilting/ https://annbaldwinmayartquilts.com/2017/04/scribble-quilting-part-2-the-process/

black and blue abstract art quilt — American Democracy,2019,28″ h x 27″ w

Helpful Hints

When trying out fabrics, I always start with larger pieces. Then after cutting or fitting in place, they may be much smaller. The sewing takes up some of the fabric. It is always better to have too much than too little.This is the completed art quilt.

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Need Help? Try These Low Tech Quilting Hacks

Swimmingly

Low Tech Quilting Hacks

Try these low tech quilting hacks to make to make quilting tasks easier. This post is about my favorite tools that I often use in my studio. Redirecting materials are a major motivating factor in my art. It so happens that it affects my low tech quilting hacks as well.

Threading the Needle

My regular sewing foot has a white plastic piece that holds it together. A bit of the white forms a background that allows for the ease of threading the needle. For years, I sewed clothing. Yet, never noticed this because I had no need to change the foot. As soon as I started quilting and began to use different feet, I noticed that threading the needle became more difficult.

What Had Changed?

I couldn’t figure out what had changed. It took me a while, the small white background was not longer there. So I recreated the white by using a small piece of white paper. I now keep a particularly stiff piece of white paper close at hand. For easy threading of the needle, I slip the paper behind the needle. When I use the walking foot or darning foot for free motion quilting, I can see the needle’s hole much better.

Easing of Fabric through the Feed-A Low Tech Quilting Hack

Many years ago I received a stick that looks like an orange stick used for nail care. Suzanne Cam gave them away as part of a quilting workshop. This tool has now become an indespensible tool. I use it often to grab threads, to gently guide fabric smoothly through the feed when necssary.

Moving Small Pieces- A Low Tech Quilting Hack

I also use the stick to move small pieces of fabric. For the fabric layering technique,I create my art flat on a table. I place the backing fabric down first. Then I lay the batting on top.Finally, I create the scene. At times this requires a gentle movement of small pieces of fabric or yarn. I use the stick for this. Nothing else creates a smooth curve or allows me to control the placement of small items or details.

Tiny Globs of Glue

At times I need to glue items to my fiber pieces. Often I only need the tiniest bit of glue not a glob of glue that might show. When my studio was in my home, I would use a plate from the kitchen to put the glue on. After moving to my studio,no plates were readily available.

Making Do

I flipped over the 3 ” plastic cap from the can of starch to use. To control the smallest bit of glue, I use a large needle or hat pin. When finished I can easily wipe off the residue of white glue . The pin or needle is then ready for its original intended use.

low tech quilting hack 3 — Plastic caps to control globs of glue

A Design Wall

I use a design wall to create my abstract pieces of art. It is essential for me to have a large space available. I would recommend at least 60″ high and wide. My studio design wall is about 90″ by 90″. I covered the wall with a piece of white flannel fabric. It is held in place by push pins. Portability is not an issue for me. Other quilters will swear by their expensive design walls. Don’t be fooled! Simple can be just as effective!

my large white flannel design wall design, low tech quilting hack — My large white flannel design wall design

True Confessions Time!

I am not an early adopter nor a gadget person. Quality standard tools and materials are necessary. These hacks are very low tech. Whatever works! For those still reading this post, I expect to hear a chuckle or two or daresay I, some laughing out loud at their simplicity. What simple hacks do you use? Please share.

https://annbaldwinmayartquilts.com/2020/04/forging-your-own-art-path/

Need Punch? Add Color to your Art Quilts

Splendid Fairy Wren Australia

Adding Color to your Art Quilts

Color is probably the art element that attracts and motivates most artists to begin work. For most people it is the most engaging aspect. For my take on this subject, I am going to focus on how I choose to adding color to my abstract art quilts. In general, I chooose 3-4 colors to work with. Then I find the range of hues from light to dark to add for balance and interest. I often use bright colors while I find a pale palette of beiges and whites to be very calming. I work on a large white flannel design wall.

To begin, Where do I get my ideas? How do I decide on which colors I want to work with? Most of my materials are from FABMO, a non profit that gets castoff materials from designers. Swatches of a wide range of colors with slight variations provide a lot of choices. Here are some ideas I have inspired me to get started.

A Photograph

A friend sent me this photograph of a colorful bird from Australia. Rarely do I work from photographs. I will not be using the bird however, the hues of purple,blue and black will be in an abstract art quilt in the near future.

Look Down

While working on a piece,I tossed the extra fabric in a box on the floor next to me. I did this repeated. At the end of the day, I looked down and saw these wonderful grey and lime green colors together. I gathered them up and put the in a special place to work on later. This was the piece inspired by leftovers. May I note that I usually don’t use these colors.

Lingering Fog,34" x 34" 86 x86 cm 2019, a grey,white and lime green abstract art quilt — Lingering Fog,34″ x 34″ 86 x86 cm 2019

Using Up Materials

Sometimes I just start a project with materials or colors that I want to use up. I might have too big a piece of fabric or too much of one color. Some artists might find this idea very unorthodox or even unsettling. When I started City Lights, I had a pile of blue fabric that I wanted to diminish. Sand Between My Toes allowed me to make use of whites and beiges. Sea Turtles is not an abstract art quilts but I had a large piece of blue synthetic fabric that I used for the background. The turquoise plants are also created from fabric I wanted to use up.

City Lights, lots of blues and purples with pops of other colors, 24" x 22" — City Lights, a fabric art quilt,24″ x 22″

Sea Turtles,an underwater fantasy art quilt,Sea Turtles 35" x 23 " 2014 — Sea Turtles 35″ x 23 ” 2014

an abstract art quilt in pale colors — Sand Between My Toes

Use the Palette of a Commercial Piece of Fabric

A fabric friend suggested this to me several years ago. I have to admit I couldn’t wrap my mind around this idea for a long time. Go to a fabric store. Look at the colors on the commercial fabrics. Very experienced designers work to create these prints. Choose a palette that you would like to use. You don’t need to use the fabric just let the colors inspire you.

In my abstract art quilt, Spring Break I did use some of the fabric. However, the process of chosing the materials was driven by the colors of the original piece of redirected linen. I looked for complementary colors from the fabrics I already had.

Spring Break, an abstract art quilt of blues, yellows and green — Spring Break

Multicolored Blue Linen Fabric — I built the fabrics around this piece of fabric.

In conclusion, inspiration for art can be found in many unusual places. Inspiration comes from spending time in your studio. Keep your mind open and inspiration will appear.

Here are some other articles that you may be interested in.https://annbaldwinmayartquilts.com/2020/03/using-discontinued-fabrics/

https://annbaldwinmayartquilts.com/2017/12/the-amazing-story-of-fabmo-how-two-dedicated-people-can-make-a-big-difference/

https://annbaldwinmayartquilts.com/2020/01/creating-movement-in-abstract-art-quilts/

The following article is about Spring Break, art quilt.

https://annbaldwinmayartquilts.com/2017/09/abstract-art-quilts-a-work-in-progress/

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Important Life Skill for Artists-Develop Resilience

Burlap and Silk,An art quilt demonstrating the contrasting fabrics of soft and hard rough and smooth

An important life skill for artists to develop is resilience. Resilience helps one weather the rough spots in life. Learn who you are. Learn what your passion is and develop it . Be authentic. Friends, family members and those close to you may not see your passion as you do. Focus on what is true and real for you. This can be hard. As human beings we rely on the reflections of those around us to see ourselves.

Following One’s own Path takes Resilience.

Developing resilience is an important life skill for artists to combat certain comments people might make. “What are you doing that for? “People will say the first thing that pops into their mind without thinking. Realize that it is okay if some people don’t agree with your choice of activity. When someone doesn’t like what I am deeply involved in, I often think about model trains. Some people are extremely passionate about model trains, something that I have absolutely no interest in.

“Isn’t that a lot of work?” Just yesterday a neighbor made that comment about all of the work I do to maintain my garden. I love doing it. I can’t imagine not doing. It is the same way I feel about my art. Passion is what you can’t live without. It isn’t work if you like doing it. Picture water sliding off a duck’s back when disparaging remarks are made. Little by little build resiliency.

Being the Black Sheep takes Resilience.

Developing resilience is an important life skill for artists tostand up to certain activities other might want you to do. When growing up my family was into sports; listening, watching on TV and attending baseball and football games. Of course, I also did these things until I got old enough to realize that I didn’t want to do it anymore. I would rather be out doing something active than watching others do it. This act of resilience was easy for me. Being the odd man out may not be as easy for some people. Of course, it would be nice if the people we care about also cared about the things that we care about. But that doesn’t always happen.

Overcoming Setbacks takes Resilience.

Setbacks can also happen. Sometimes one’s work or family responsibilities take center stage. Being a responsible person creates its own confidence and resiliency. When one knows themselves and is authentic, then moving in a new direction can support one’s vision.

Life skills for artists Develop Resilience.

Many paths lead to success. If one path doesn’t work, find another. Take the long view. A different path might not immediately be visible. Keep working towards your goal, be it personal or professional or artistic.

The poster in my laundry room has this quote on it.

“Great spirits have always encountered violent opposition from mediocre minds.” Albert Einstein

Or as a favorite song, The Middle by Jimmy Eat World says

(partial lyrics)

“Live right now, yeah, just be yourself.
It doesn’t matter if it’s good enough for someone else.

It just takes some time,
Little girl, you’re in the middle of the ride.
Everything, everything will be just fine,
Everything, everything will be alright, alright.

Just do your best do everything you can
And don’t you worry what the bitter hearts are gonna say.”

Resilience is a life skill that can be developed and nourished. It applies to our professional, personal as well as our artistic endevours. Things happen in life that are sometimes out of our control. Don’t take setbacks personally. Just forge forward.

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Lost in Space? See these Collider Event Display Art Quilts

ATLAS at CERN

DRUID, 34″h x 21 “w Collider Event Display

Likewise,the artists involved also used different art forms. For example,some work with paint, glass,fiber,and multimedia. Most importantly,Tauna Coulson, the curator worked hard to make sure everything comes together.

Starburst of pink, green and blue fabrics Inspired by a photo of ALICE at CERNCollider Event Displays

Furthermore,I would like to share the inspirations that I created for this upcoming show. Benjamin Lehmann is a theoritical physicist. Likewise,the collider event displays that he showed me on his computer looked eerily like fiber,my chosen medium. After that I made several art quilts based on those photos. In the same vein,subatomic particles are smashed together in the atom smasher at Stanford Linear Accelerator or CERN in Switzerland.https://annbaldwinmayartquilts.com/2018/06/from-guarding-chalk-to-black-holes/
Finally,when this happens, they split apart in predictable patterns and predictable colors. Moreove these were my inspirations.

ATLAS at CERN in fabric . Green, yellow and black fabrics radiate starburst Collider Event Displays

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).She took two years of sewing in high school. 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,California. Her home is in Santa Cruz,California with her husband. She has two daughters. Above all, she loves to play with fabrics and redirected materials to create her art quilts.

annbmahttps://www.etsy.com/shop/annbmayartquilts

Social Justice Sewing Academy Making the World Better One Quilt at a Time

Academy of Social Justice

SARAH C. RICH JAN 2, 2019

sjsa-3 — (Photo: Courtesy of the Social Justice Sewing Academy)

The afternoon quilting workshop at Hillcrest Elementary School in San Francisco, California, meets in a mobile classroom behind the main building. After the school day is over. Then sixteen kids have walked across the basketball court, dropped their backpacks, and headed for a table piled high with colorful fabric. Then they cut out silhouettes and gluing block letters.For example, a red appliqué stop sign reads Stop Deportation. Or the letters LGBTQ underscore a feminine face with a small of a black mustache. Then the caption says Let Me Be Me.

Sara Trail

Sara Trail, the 23-year-old founder of the Social Justice Sewing Academy organizes these quilting bees for activist youth. She’s raced over from her day job teaching high school courses to incarcerated adults.

Inspired by Trayvon Martin’s death

Trail says that social justice work became urgent for her when she was a high school senior in the wealthy Bay Area suburb of Walnut Creek. It was February of 2012, she recalls, and she’d just celebrated her 17th birthday. On the opposite side of the country, a boy she didn’t know had also just turned 17. Someone she might never have heard of except that shortly after his birthday, he was killed.His slaying made national news. It was Trayvon Martin.

Trail was one of the few black kids in her neighborhood. When Martin was killed, she says, she didn’t yet fear the police. She says that her parents were protective and focused on scholarly achievements. “I did swimming and reading and piano,” Trail says. However, from age four, she sewed. Quilting enabled Trail to express the intense feelings that Martin’s death aroused.After that, ” I started making my first art quilt,” she says, “which was Trayvon’s face.”

A few months later, she began her freshman year at the University of California,Berkeley. In addition,she also began tutoring at a nearby public school. Then,she decided to try using craft as a way for students to comment on the issues that touched their own lives.

Quilting and Social Justice

Quilting might seem too quiet and slow to hold teenagers’ attention. But it has always been a kind of social media. For centuries, quilting circles have been a space for women to discuss their lives and to seek support. Quilts themselves have served as a mode of communication where others failed or posed a threat.

a small grant

At the end of her senior year at Berkeley, Trail founded the Social Justice Sewing Academy with a small grant. She used the money to buy sewing machines, supplies, and public transit tickets for students. In the mornings, she taught ethnic studies and critical consciousness. In the afternoons, the issues would inspire sketches for a quilt square. I paid attention to the student’s interests.If they mentioned redlining, then we would look at maps of their area. Later they would find out how many buildings had been foreclosed. Research how many families were given predatory loans Trail says.

Seasoned Quilters Help Out

Trail built a worldwide network of seasoned quilters through Instagram. She mails the students’ fabric squares for final stitching to the experienced quilters. Most of them are older, white, and living in places where they rarely come into direct contact with youth from disadvantaged backgrounds. However, they are eager to help and share their skills.

“C is for Colorism”

Bianca Mercado participated in an Social Justice Sewing Academy workshop as a 17-year-old at her high school in Massachusetts. She created an alphabet quilt with 26 social justice statements. Her “C is for Colorism” block was mailed to Colleen Haraden-Gorski, a water-resource specialist in California. Haraden-Gorski researched color discrimination. Then she decided to stitch in a rectangle of brown fabric with a script reading brown paper bag. The added detail refers to the custom among African Americans to compare their skin tones to brown paper.

Touring Around the Country

Now, Mercado’s quilt is touring exhibitions around the country. Moreover, it often hangs among more traditional patterns, surprising viewers accustomed to tamer geometries. From the quiet patchwork of fabric, the young artist’s voice speaks loud and clear.

In Conclusion

The Social Justice Sewing Academy now has branches all over the country. Due to the work of Sara Trail, her dream has expanded.https://annbaldwinmayartquilts.com/2020/07/political-quilts2008-2014/

http://annbmayartquilts.etsy.com/

sjsa-2 — (Photos: Courtesy of the Social Justice Sewing Academy)

sjsa-1 — (Photos: Courtesy of the Social Justice Sewing Academy

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Sometimes Working Backwards is the only Way to Create

ATLAS from CERN, 30" w x 32", $4200.

Create art by working backwards.

Working backwards means thinking through each process of making your art piece before getting started. To create this collider event display, I had to figure out what would go on last. Then I thought about what each previous step backwards would be. What steps would I need to get to the finished product?That worked fairly well except for slight changes at the end.

Working backwards is a Different Way of Thinking

Working backwards to create art is a new and different way of thinking for me. Usually,I create my art quilts differently. As each part is completed, I reflect on what I can do to make it better or more artisitic. Generally, I don’t work from a photograph. I complete one step before even thinking about the next part. Motivation and inspiration comes from how the materials play together. Working backwards is a different way of thinking for me.

Reflecting

I reflect on how I can make it more engaging as each part is completed. Then finally, how the quilting might enhance the piece. For better or for worse,I rarely consider the quilting until the top is finished. But the whole point of this collaboration is to look at a project in a new way.

Beginning Steps to Create Art by Working Backwards

Choosing fabric and detail stitches

Running stitch with yellow embroidery thread.working backwards — 3.Running stitch with yellow embroidery thread

green, yellow , black fabrics sewn together in a starburst design,working backwards — 4. Attempting to create the starburst effect

Changes

Several fairly large changes happened at this point. I wanted to cover the cream oval with yarn to create a shadow as in the photo. But the effect wasn’t what I wanted. Luckily, the fabric was loosely woven together so I was able to pick out the threads one by one until they were gone.

Do I have to match the photo?

I also struggled with matching the photo. When I gave myself permission to not match the photo and make a work of art to my liking, I felt much better. I finished the quilt with my artist judgement in mind.

edges turned to the back and handsewn ,working backwards — 6. The finished art quilt

In Summary

With this collaboration I adjusted my decision making processes. Photographs of the collider event displays(CED) were mandatory. My collaborator showed me some collider event displays that he felt would lend themselves to work in fabric and yarn. I chose several from the suggested group.

Thinking Ahead

Using a photo as a guide, I had to have an idea of what each step would be, before beginning at all. I almost always use fabric that I have on hand. The size of that fabric then determines the size of the piece. If I quilted the three layers together first,then I could know the exact size that the CED would have to be. I had seen other art quilters quilt their work first, so it wasn’t a new idea. Just something that I had never done.

Pay Attention When Going Backwards

You have to pay attention to where you are going when walking backwards or working backwards. Working backwards just takes a bit more of a plan. It is a lot more safe than walking backwards.

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Develop Your Art Passion

Where does One’s passion start?

My First Sewing Classes

Developing an Art Passion

Developing a Skill Set

Inspired by a Tam and Scarf

Schooling and Career

Art Quilts

Art in College

In Conclusion

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Art Materials: Hard or Soft

3D Found Materials

Inspiration

Materials Front and Center

Color! Texture! Movement!

Scale

People see Things Differently

Start at the End, Sometimes

A Unifying Look

Metal or Wood

In Conclusion

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Birds in Art Quilts

Shelter in Place Art

Never miss an opportunity to add texture.

Break Your Own Rules

Water Fowl and Coastal Birds

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Beginning Steps to Creating Art

Beginning Steps to Creating Beauty

Think Differently.

Turn the Fabric Around

Imagining Shapes

Visualization

Activities to Practice Beginning Steps to Creating

In Conclusion

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Using Saved Fabrics

ATLAS in Rose

Fabric with Small Boxes

In Conclusion

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Add Decorative Threads for Texture

Discovering New Materials

Take Things Apart to find Decorative Threads for Texture

How Would You Use These Decorative Threads?

Some Examples of What I Did

Helpful Hints

In Conclusion

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How to Name an Art Work

How To Name An Art Work

I Put on my Poetry Hat

What I Was Thinking About

A Fitting Genre and Style

Descriptive Titles

Challenges

Naming a Series

Conclusion

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Creating Movement in Abstract Art Quilts

My Mantra

Creating Movement in Abstract Art Quilts

Activity on the Material

Movement While Quilting

Couching Decorative Threads

A Final Look

Do you Squash your Art Quilts?

Best Parts about Making Abstract Quilts

Conclusion

Read about Other Resources

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