Tag: art quilt

Art quilts can now be found in museums and galleries along side paintings and other media.

How to be a Brave Artist

More that once people have visited my studio and commented “You are so brave.” “What? Why?I am brave to do my art? What do they mean? “First of all, being brave is taking action even though one is scared or afraid. On the other hand,being a brave artist is discovering one’s artistic strengths, developing them, and staying true to them. That I have tried to do. As with many things, it is a work in progress.

Am a brave person?

Ultimately, I don’t feel brave in my day-to-day life. Following rules on the road keep us safe. I don’t want to get caught doing something that I am not supposed to do or that I would not be proud of. I follow the rules. For this reason, I don’t consider myself brave. There are real things in this world to be afraid of. I know that. On the other hand, some things are easy for me that I know others struggle with. Talking with the public is easy for me. As a retired school teacher, I am used to speaking to many unusual types of people.

Doing my Art is not Scary.

Blowing glass at temperatures of 3000 degrees is scary. But sewing and playing with fabric is not. When making art quilts, I have no problem taking chances. I am doing what I want. For me,being a brave artist is easy. My three portfolios that I must make are Mexican inspired, abstracts and nature art quilts. My pieces do not always look similar. After all, what fun would that be?

My small studio in the Santa Cruz Art Center has three walls to display my art, a design wall, a design table and a table with my sewing machine on it. I can work here and yet open my doors to the public for First Fridays and Open Studios. A fortunate possibility,yes. I am not sure how that makes me brave. Maybe trying new fabrics styles and techniques in bright colors makes me brave.

Creating involves Pain.

Have you ever noticed that creating art involves pain or an uneasiness? When I first begin a project but I do not yet have a clear idea of the direction the piece will take, is when I feel pain or an uneasiness in the pit of my stomach. Once I have a clearer idea of the direction my piece will take the anxiety goes away. However, that is different from fear.

A brave artist pushes through and doesn’t let the anxiety stop them. In that case, then I am brave. Gathering my experience in making traditional bed quilts and then switching gears to art quilts just felt right. I do take chances with fabric and design. I forge ahead without much thought. When I am starting a piece, I don’t worry too much about my choices. If I make a mistake, I can always make another piece. Then I will own the fact that I am a brave art quilter.

A Good Sense of Color

Visitors to my studio have told me that I have a good sense of color. This comment always takes me by surprise. Where does this skill come from? I have never studied art or the color wheel. On the other hand, I did start sewing my own clothes in high school a long time ago. I remember designing and planning out my outfits. I paid attention to the variety of colors and textures in my wardrobe. Doesn’t every teenage girl do that? I assumed so.

So fast forward. . .decades ahead I fall into art quilting after making bed quilts for many years. I realize that without knowing it I had been trying out colors my whole life.
For part of my 36 years as an elementary school teacher, I taught at an arts infused school. I did receive a wide variety of training in the arts including drama and dance. When guest artists taught my class in sketching or drawing, I took part so that I could repeat their lesson in the following years. But no work foccussed specifically on color.

Trying is the first step to being a brave artist.

Recently an acquaintance mentioned that she wanted to start sketching, yet she was afraid to. Afraid of what? It is a passtime activity. Sketching is not something to be afraid of. It is supposed to be fun and engaging. Give it a try. Become a brave artist.

Why am I not afraid?

I asked myself why am I not afraid.One reason is the familiarity with my materials. Having used fabric for so long, it is second nature to me. Quilting is the thing that I have to do. I will do it even when it has become boring or I have done it all day. It is part of who I am and what makes me me.I am not afraid of being myself.

Homage to a Dancer,45" x 56", a Mexican Fold Dancer from Jalisco, Mexico.
Homage to a Dancer,45″ x 56″ 115 x 142cm

Fusing Two Passions

As I moved into art quilting I looked to fuse two of my lifetime passions, dancing and sewing. Sewing clothes since high school, I had made over 300 bed quilts. In addition, I had performed with a local Mexican folk dance group. My passion led me to direct my school’s annual Cinco de Mayo Dance Presentation. My students learned dances . I sewed costumes. My goal was to make something that combined my sewing skills with the movement and bright colors of a Jalisco dance skirt.

First of all a lot of thought went into it before I even started because I wasn’t sure how to accomplish this. The Jalisco skirt was the easy part. I had made the braid to wear when I performed. The plastic bag was from a trip to Mexico. On the other hand, what would the background be? The 3D dancing outfit was sewn onto a contrasting background of traditional 2″ green squares. I was extremely passionate about presenting this piece. It meant a lot to me. Furthermore,I liked it so much I made another 3D quilt with a blue background.

Mexican Dance Fabric Art
Market Day, 40″ x 51″102 x 130 cm

Is this Art?

Back in 2009,I entered these two pieces into major art quilt show. I was being a brave artist putting myself out there for the first time. When they were not accepted, I thought that maybe they weren’t art. As I have gained more insight into the jurying process, thanks to SAQA(Studio Art Quilt Associates), I realized that; the curator works to create a unified vision of a show. My wonderful art pieces do not fit easily with others.Disappointed but not deterred. I kept creating art. I liked trying out different materials and styles to see how they played together.

Furthermore,sometimes what people say says the most about themselves. They are not brave to try something new. It is hard for them to try and create something new.

Over all,to me being brave is taking action even though one is scared or afraid. Creating frees me. It is something that I have to do. I keep going although not everyone around me understood my passion. Maybe being a brave artist is to continue to work without encouragement trying new styles, fabrics and techniques. Being a brave artist is staying true to yourself and your artist vision of the world. In that way it takes bravery to be an artist.

http://www.saqa.com/ (Studio Art Quilt Associates)

https://annbmayartquilts.etsy.com/

https://annbaldwinmayartquilts.com/2023/02/see-unfinished-projects-in-a-new-way/

https://annbaldwinmayartquilts.com/2023/05/seven-marketing-mistakes-to-avoid-from-a-know-nothing-marketeer/


Is it Important to Frame an Art Quilt?

tree with leaves flowing outside of the frame
Rusty Leaves, 29″ h x 21″ w
73cm x 53 cm

Art quilts are a newer art form. Creating art with fabric is not like creating art with paint. We create our own canvas of sorts with our backing. We finish the edges with stitches.We do not need an additional frame to complete our work. Some quilt artists add a fabric frame but that is different.

Art quilters need to embrace the uniqueness of their art form. Art quilts come in many fabrics,colors and sizes. There are no predetermined sizes like with a canvas. Sometimes  quilt artists choose a smaller size to try out a new technique or for a gift.

More importantly, in order to gain acceptance, some quilt artists frame their art. That way it is immediately recognizable as a piece of  art similar to a painting. Furthermore, who doesn’t want their work readily accepted by the public. I get that.

Yet, quilt edges are always finished. It is part of the process. Quilt edges are generally finished by several methods.  Sew a facing on the front  and turn it to the back for hand stitching. Zigzag twice on the edges. Some art quilters prefer attaching a binding like a more traditional quilt.

All artists want their work accepted as art. However, educating the public about art quilts is necessary. Why add a heavy frame? It is redundant and unnecessary. Why do it?

Framing Art Quilts is Different.

Fabric is a unique material to use to create art. It moves and stretches a bit. When I started creating art q;uilts, I thought that they were to lie flat against the wall. Then I visited the San Jose Museum of Quilts and Textiles.https://www.sjquiltmuseum.org/ The incredible quilts on display did not lie flat against the wall. Naturally, I gave up that idea. Art quilters need to embrace the uniqueness of their special materials.

magenta tree with irregular shape on edges
Beach Tree, 34″ x 29″ 86cm x 73cm


11 Reasons Why I Don’t Frame my Art Quilts

  • The edges are finished. There is usually a facing, binding or the edges are zigzagged twice. Nothing more is needed.
  • Fabric encourages a different type of artistic expression. Leaves can flow off of the sides. A frame would cover up that expression.
  • I send my art quilts by rolling them up. They take up less space.
  • I store my art quilts by rolling them up with the front to the outside to prevent wrinkles. It is amazing how little space they take,
  • Be forward thinking. Ditching the frame immediately shows movement away from a tradition.
  • A frame is more heavy and cumbersome. What artistic value does it add to the art quilt? Trying to match styles can be difficult.
  • In Earthquake Country or Tornado Country, a heavy frame over a bed is not advisable.
  • I can carry all of my quilts for a solo show under  one or two arms. I  roll them up together. They are not heavy.
  • Frames adds extra unnecessary weight whether they are wooden, metal or another material.
  • When storing an art piece,a frame takes up more space.
  • A frame is expensive.
  • I store my quilts rolled up in a closet. A temporary tag pinned to the top allows for fast identification of each individual quilt.

Exceptions to Not Framing

I realize that there may be exceptions. It is possible to frame an art quilt. On the other hand,in some permanent public settings, framing may be preferred. Museums or other public and private organizations may want a consistent look in their presentation of the artwork. Permanent collections do not move often. The situations are different.

In Conclusion

Why add a frame if it is not necessary? Frames are expensive, heavy, and take up more space. On the contrary, they can not be rolled up for easy storage,shipping or carrying. More importantly, some painters are now painting the sides of their canvases so frames will not be necessary for them.

http://annbmayartquilts.etsy.com https://www.saqa.com/

https://annbaldwinmayartquilts.com/2022/01/frequently-asked-questions/

What do you Want to Know? Frequently Asked Questions

What Do You Want to Know? Frequently Asked Questions

Smilin', the all silk art quilt was made after one of the times that we thought the Pandemic was over.

Frequently Asked Questions about Materials

  • Where do you get your materials from?

Above all,I usually get my materials from FABMO, a nonprofit that gathers materials weekly  from the San Francisco Design Center. fabmo.org Then they make the materials available to the public to keep them out of the landfill. Furthermore,these materials are new, high end , high quality fabrics. For example,linen, silk and other unique fabrics are readily available. Most importantly,these fabrics cannot be found in regular fabric stores. It is a win-win situation.

More recently, people have been giving me fabric.Thy know that I will put good use to it. Sometimes it is just a few yards and sometimes it can be more.When a loved one who sewed passes, they may leave behind a lot of fabric. This year I was gifted a lot of fabric in this category. I keep the pieces I think I might use and pass on the rest to others who may use it.

Frequently Asked Questions about Inspiration

  • What motivates you?
    Using fabrics and materials sustainably motivates me. I rarely throw anything out.
  • Where do you get your inspiration/ideas from?
    My inspiration comes from how the materials play with one another. I usually decide ahead of time which portfolio I will make next. It could be abstract, nature, or Mexican inspired.

Frequently Asked Questions about Time

  • How long have you been sewing or quilting?
    In high school,I took two years of sewing. Then I continued sewing. In the 1970s,I took my first quilting class at a neighborhood fabric store. I stopped counting my bed quilts at 300. Then around 2008, I began making art quilts.
  • Doesn’t it take a long time to make a quilt ?

Yes, it does. But I used to think about writing a book. A quilt doesn’t take as long as that.

Sewing Questions

  • What kind of a machine do you use?
    Above all,my machine is a computerized Lily Husquavara.
  • Do you  sew by hand?
    For instance,I hand sew my sleeves or fabric tubes. Furthermore,art quilts with facings are handsewn to the back. Moreover, most of my quilts are done by machine. On the other hand,I do sew small details or found objects on my art quilts. by hand. However, the majority of my work is machine pieced and machine quilted.
  • Do you sew clothes?
    In short,I rarely sew my own clothes anymore. In the same vein,I do not sew clothes for others.

Other Questions

  • Do you do memory quilts?
    I do make memory quilts. People give me or send me the clothes from their loved one. We work together to decide on a style that will work for the client. I have made wall art and traditional and non traditonal lap quilts from the clothes. As the work progresses, I send photos to keep the client informed of progress.
  • Do you teach classes?
    All in all,no, I don’t teach classes. However,post COVID I have starting a mentoring project. A more personal 1 on 1 situation based on what skills the student would like to learn or what direction they would like their sewing,quilting or art career to go.
  • Have you been to Paducah, Kentucky, home of the National Quilt Museum? No.

https://annbmayartquilts.etsy.com/

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

https://annbaldwinmayartquilts.com/2021/10/something-about-memory-quilts/

https://annbaldwinmayartquilts.com/2022/01/to-frame-or-not-to-frame/

https://annbaldwinmayartquilts.com/2022/05/reuse-dont-toss/

 Good Advice Gone Bad

Here are some examples where good advice went bad. Or in other words the advice did not work out for me.

Good Advice Gone Bad Anna’s Irish Tulips, a king sized bed quilt

Several years ago I completed that queen sized bed quilt. Charming tulips with leaves popping out from the sides alternated plain cream colored blocks.  In the empty blocks I hand quilted flowers. I made a scalloped hem knowing that this would truly be a family heirloom. Needlessto say, I was extremely proud of my work. After all,I had been quilting for years. This was the culmination of all my work.

Good Advice Gone Bad

While I was proud of my work, the appraiser gave the quilt a very low appraisal for a queen size bed quilt with some handstitching. In 2005, $350 was a low appraisal. Disappointment reigned. Yet over the years, what a lot of money I saved. I have a large inventory. What if I had had all of them appraised?

Forest Fires of 2020

Most importantly, our county did suffer horrible forest fires in 2020. Many people did lose their homes. Our home was close to the fires.  No mandatory evacuation was ordered. Nevertheless I self evacuated myself to a friend’s house in south county for four days. I moved precious items to my studio downtown where they would be safe. None of them were quilts. Some of my quilts were already in my studio.

A few years ago I began to have success. Consequently, I wanted my quilts to be photographed professionally. So I asked a well known quilt artist for a local recommendation. She told of a man who had photographed quilts for a museum. Meanwhile,I called him up. His prices were based on the size of the quilt. They were in my price range. Therefore, I made an appointment to drop the quilts off at his studio 25 miles away.

As it turned out, the photographs were terrible. The colors were not even correct. Isn’t that our least requirement that the colors to be right? So I took my own photos. The results satisfied me.

What did I learn? Of course,each person may come to their own conclusions. My thoughts are to trust myself. Furthermore,digital cameras have improved so much in recent years. Therefore, I can take my own photos. First of all, I am proud of the family heirloom that I created. Above all,listen to yourself. Believe in yourself. Keep going. Do not be deterred by negative comments. Most importantly, it is what happens to you but how you react to it.

https://saqanorcalnv.com/

http://saqa.com

Check out these Mostly Black and White Art Quilts

Gridlock II,36" x 36"
black and white branches on an indigo dyed background,Mainly Black and White Art
Skyward,the finished art quilt

  Mostly Black and White Art

Viewing art made with  mostly black and white colors is engaging. Furthermore, the contrast with just one other color attracts the viewer’s eye. While this is true of all art genres, I make art quilts. This post is about the quilts that use mostly  black and white with possibly one or two other colors.

Classic Decor

Black and white decor is a classic look that is currently enjoying a rebirth in popularity. Black and white floors are common in Europe. One art fan compared my art quilts to tapestries. One time someone asked me to line the walls with my largest quilts to improve the acoustics at a film festival. The small dash of color is easily accommodated. Limiting the colors to just black and white and one more, insures flexibility that the piece will fit easily into many different places.

Adding Texture in Decor

Adding a cozy traditional quilt has been a a long time go-to idea for adding texture. Building on that,consider adding texture in the form of wall art to your decor. Wall art quilts are a new and modern  way to accomplish that. It may seem subtle but a piece of fabric wall art is not as flat as a poster or a painting. An art quilt brings an added dimension to a room.

Easy Care Art

Art quilts are easy to hang. They generally weigh about a pound. MIne come with a handsewn fabric sleeve(tube) sewn on the back of the piece, a dowel and fishing line.  Simply hang the invisible fishing line on a push  pin or a nail.  The edges of my art quilts are completely finished with a facing hand sewn to the back.

There is no reason to add a heavy frame. A frame just adds cost to shipping and  unnecessary weight to the piece. Hanging a quilt rather than a heavy painting over a bed is an added advantage in earthquake country.

Fabric is a material that we are all familiar with. It is long lasting and adds warmth to a room. Keeping a piece out of the direct sunlight is necessary to prevent fading. Other than that, textiles are an easy care product.

Larger Wall Art

Mainly Black and White Art
Gridlock I, 33″ x 31″
Gridlock II,42″ x 36″ Juried into MAYHEM show at the ARC Gallery in San Francisco, 2013

Smaller Wall Art

Petite Madness,12″ x 9″ ,$125.
Mainly Black and White Art
Art quilt,Petite Limeade,10 ” x 10″ SOLD
Petite Carbon Footprint,12″ x 9″,$125.

In conclusion,black and white art is  classic.Adding a pop of color makes it fresh and modern.

https://annbaldwinmayartquilts.com/2020/04/an-abstract-art-quilt-sunset-through-the-forest/

You may find these art quilts at my etsy shop.

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

https://annbaldwinmayartquilts.com/2021/02/the-making-of-an-abstract-quilt/

Check out these One of a Kind Artful Fabric Business Cards

fabric business cards, about 3″ x 4″

Artful Fabric Business Cards

My Artful Fabric Business Cards reflect my art quilt business. Business cards generally give basic information about a business; location, phone number and email .  Yet, I take my business cards a step further. They are small art quilts. For people who do not know what an art quilt is,the business card gives them an actual example to choose and take with them.

Reducing Waste

Reducing waste is a major motivation for me. My cards are made of fabric that most people would throw away. I use a fabric pen to write on a plain piece of fabric. The batting inside has no other use either. I also found that as my business grew my info changed. Because I hadn’t printed out my cards, I was able to adjust easily without wasting paper.

Artful Fabric Business Cards
I started with this info on one side.
Artful Fabric Business Cards
Later I needed to add more information as my business changed.

Each card is unique. Most people enjoy choosing their favorite colors or patterns. My cards are a committment statement about my work.

Making the Cards

People often say ,”Doesn’t it take a lot of time to make the cards?” I use the assembly line approach to production. First, I write the info about 20 times on white or plain fabric. Then, maybe at a different time, I sew small pieces of left over fabric together. At another time, I baste the three layers together with a glue stick. Followed by sewing two curvy lines, horizontally across the pieces. Zigzagging the edges comes last. I generally find that there are times when I don’t feel top notch or I need a break from creating. Those times are when I turn to making my fabric cards. So it is not as if I am taking productive time away from actual work.

Artful Fabric Business Cards

My First Fabric Cards

I made my first cards when I was still working full time. I tried different things and learned from people’s responses. When I shared my card with a coworker, she actually shrieked. That was a surprising response. But I took it as a yes, I was on the right path! My first attempts were to make each card extremely special, like a real art quilt. I soon learned that that was not really necessary. People were thrilled with a simpler more random piece. So I simplified my process.

Starting Out

I admit that these cards to require more effort than a paper printed card. It was my decision to give them away. Yet, another early experience made me make adjustments. At a gallery show I was in, a woman proudly came up to me and shared that she had taken four of my cards and used them as coasters. I was such a newbie I didn’t know how to respond.

Now I would say, the first one is free. The others are $10. Because of that experience,I found a finer tip fabric pen that would let me write smaller. I reduced the size of my cards also  so that they were closer to 3 or 4 inches rather than 5 inches.

Another benefit was that I could easily  change the information on my cards. When I moved my studio downtown,I made new cards with the address on it. Later I decided to add my phone number. These changes would have been costly and wasteful if I had used paper business cards.

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

In conclusion, fabric business cards do take longer to make. However, I make them with fabric and batting that many would throw way. They allow me to reuse and reduce while making a memorable art quilt.

https://annbaldwinmayartquilts.com/2020/11/decorative-mouse-pads/

https://annbaldwinmayartquilts.com/2023/03/why-i-love-my-unique-business-cards/

https://annbaldwinmayartquilts.com/2022/05/do-you-believe-serendipity-brings-joy/

https://annbaldwinmayartquilts.com/2022/05/reuse-dont-toss/

Why is being Respectful So Political? Political Art Quilts

Honoring Black Men2020, 11" x 11.5" $125.

Political Quilts Twenty Twenty

It has been said for example that if you don’t care about politics, then you don’t care about life. Politics and life are inseparable. I made these Political Quilts 2020 this Spring in response to the Black Lives Matter movement. In addition,they also speak to the call for attention to the human treatment of immigrants and respect for the essential workers. Similarly,the positive messages of these quilts are of brotherhood and respect.

For a Juried Art Show

For example,Let Us Breathe,(Political Quilts Twenty Twenty)shows a black man and a black woman dressed in African fabrics on a background of many different skin tones. In addition,a shiny red, white, and blue heart decoration speaks to their allegiance to the United States. In short,people can love their country and honor their ancestral roots simultaneously.

Let Us Breathe,Political Quilts 2020
Let Us Breathe,20202, 37″ x 35″, $3200.

An Immigrant Couple

Furthermore,The Border Crossed Us shows an immigrant couple on a background of multicolored skin tones. Most importantly,many of the immigrants from south of the border are indigeous peoples.

The Border Crossed Us,Political Quilts 2020
The Border Crossed Us, 34″ x 30″ $3200.

Honoring Black Men is a smaller piece with the same theme of respect. In the samevein,a disrespect of one is a disrespect for all.

Honoring Black Men
Honoring Black Men,2020, 11″ x 11.5″ $125.

More Political Quilts Twenty Twenty

Petite Field in Spring is a small art quilt highlighting immigrant workers.

Petite Field in Spring
Petite Field in Spring, 2020, 10″ x 12″, $125.

Essential is another small art quilt showing essential workers in a positive fun light.Furthermore, how would we have made it through 2020 without them.

Essential,Political Quilts 2020
Essential,2020, 9.5″ x 10.5″, $125.

Another fun piece, Star of the Show uses Guatemalan fabric for the lady’s dress.

Star of the Show
Star of the Show, 10″ x 11″

In conclusion,these past years  have been  difficult  due to the  attacks on the  truth, voting rights   and  the civil  rights of the minority groups in this country.   First of all, for  our democracy to survive and  thrive,  we  need  a strong education  system  that  is  free  to teach the truth.  Furthmore,everyone’s  vote  and  opinion  needs  to be  counted. Lastly, let there be equal  rights for all!

https://annbaldwinmayartquilts.com/2021/04/racismin-the-face-of-hate-we-resist/

https://www.ohio.edu/digitalstoryquilt/sectionq.htm

You may be interested in learning more about the history of political quilts.

https://www.ohio.edu/digitalstoryquilt/sectionq.htm

http://annbmayartquilts.etsy.com/

Now is the time Develop Your Own Art Style!

Splendid Fairy Wren, abstract art quilt

Develop Your Art Style

Ann Baldwin May wrote Develop Your Art Style  as a potential  Zoom talk at a NorCal /Southern Nevada  Regional Meeting of the International Art quilters organization,SAQA. Although this post’s original audience was art quilters, many of the points apply to all forms of artists. Especially artists who are just beginning to put themselves and their art out into the world.

Introduction

Ann Baldwin May developed her art style to become a quilt artist. Ms. May reinvented herself in retirement.  Her art friends call her resilient, a prolific artist and a master at social media. She was accepted into the New York Art Center in Tribeca in 2019.

purple black ,white medium blue,Develop Your Art Style
Splendid Fairy Wren, 30″ h x 25″ w, an abstract art quilt

Develop Your Art Style

How to develop your own art style? Do you want to make a career out of art ? Do you want to sell items that you make? Is your goal to be in a museum? These decisions are part of  the process. An answer does not need to be made right away. Only one person can make these decisions. It is YOU.
In the beginning,I would visit shows and see no art quilts that looked like mine.  At first, I  worried about this, but then I realized that it was a good thing.  I had my own unique style. I focussed on developing it more.

Honing your Craft

  • Develop your skill set .This will be your bag of tricks that you will draw from.What skills are you good at? What skills do you like to use while making your art? Use these to develop your own style.
  • Classes are great but at some point one has to work on developing their own style.
  • Attend  SAQA (Studio Art Quilt Associates) conferences. The workshops offer great advice for all steps of your career.
brown and golden tree art quilt,Develop Your Art Style
Celebrating Fall 33″h x 31″ w

Putting Yourself Out There

The 20th century model for art and many things was make or do great work. Then the world would come to you.  The 21st century model is different. Each person needs to let the world know what they are doing. This can be difficult for some of us to do. However,I found this phrase helpful when I started out. Hi, I am shamelessly promoting my work. This phrase shows  that it is uncomfortable yet it still needs to be done.

  • Let people know what you are doing. Share with your friends and the groups you are in. They will be a big support for you especially in the beginning.
  • Start a list of people who want to hear from you. Gather names and emails at each show you participate in. Use it to notify people of what you are doing. I do a monthly newsletter about where I am showing my art or what I am making.
  • What is your digital footprint? If someone sees your work and googles you, what will they see? What do you want to see when you google an artist?  A website announces to the world that you are serious about your art.  Online sale sites are growing. Besides  sales, I have gotten commissions from my Etsy shop. I was also contacted by an editor for Art Quilting Studio to write  articles for them. I was interviewed by a freelance writer for the Smithsonian Magazine due to my digital footprint.

Each Community is Unique.

Each community is unique. I happen to live in a community with a vibrant art scene. Santa Cruz, California is  fifth in the nation of listing  artists as their livelihood.There are opportunities to show your work at restaurants, coffee shops, quilts shows, county fairs, festivals,real estate offices,First Fridays events, Open Studios Art Tours.  Your community is probably different. join together with others and form a group. Accept the opportunity to create your own events.

Educating the Public about what You Do

Take the opportunity to educate the public about art quilts. I usually say art quilting is  a new form. It (SAQA) began in 1989 in Northern CA. Yvonne Porcella was actually born and raised in my county. Many people still don’t know about it.

an underwater fantasy art quilt,Develop Your Art Style
Sea Turtles,23″ x 35″,an underwater fantasy art quilt

Further Steps

  • Create a laser statement, sometimes called a elevator talk. Explain what you do in a sentence or two. Most people know what quilts.But they are still unfamiliar with art quilts.  I usually say art quilts use quilting technique to make wall art. My portfolios are Nature, Abstracts and Mexican inspired art quilts.
  • Reach beyond the art quilt world to the art world in general. Enter shows that accept fiber art.
  • Local press- If you are  having shows or creating events the local press with search you out. Of course, you can also let them know.
  • Be professional. Be a person someone wants to work with. Leave your ego at the door.Be prompt, prepared at all steps.

About ten years I began my art path into the world. I gleaned these ideas presented here mainly from my own search to develop my own style. I find that they have worked for me. As one takes baby steps into the art world, people will comment on what they see or like. This feedback  from the public will  help  you define your own style.You may have one but you may not truly recognize it.  I offer these suggestions to help as you  develop your own art style.

You may be interested in reading more about my style.

https://annbaldwinmayartquilts.com/2019/12/coming-into-my-own-as-an-art-quilter/

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

https://annbaldwinmayartquilts.com/2020/03/using-redirected-fabrics-and-materials/

https://annbaldwinmayartquilts.com/2020/05/be-ready-with-your-laser-statement/

https://annbaldwinmayartquilts.com/smaller-art/

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

New York Art

Be Ready to present your Laser Statement to the World.

Rogue Wave, an abstract art quilt
Lost in space

Be ready to present your Laser Statement to the world.

Being ready with a short laser statement about one’s passion or business is essential. By definition, random encounters can happen anyway and anytime. Such positive interactions keep life interesting. For many they can be a way to interact with the public in a new way.

A laser statement is a necessity for artists or others to quickly explain to a novice what they do. Art quilts are still a  new art form that many are not familiar with. Each conversation is an opportunity to share and educate. I didn’t expect a conversation about fabric to occur while accessing tech support. But I was ready with a laser statement when that happened.

Anxiety

Calling the tech support is always caused anxiety for me. This is mainly because I am not very techie.  I do maintain my own website. However, I am not always unsure of the words that describe what I do.   Knowledge of the vocabulary aids communication about an issue. That is what I lacked.

But I learned through use. I actually feel better now that I understand what certain words (browser, domain name,modem) mean.  I have learned a bit more about what they are talking about. In their defense, tech support is  always polite and patient.

Confusion, lost in space
Lost in space, the way I feel when I call tech support.

Caught Off Guard

Coming from a position of anxiety, these  conversations caught me off guard. Yet they left me pleasantly surprised. After my questions  had been answered, the tech support engaged me in a conversation about my work. I am always ready to share my passion for fabric art. It paid off to be ready to present my laser statement to the world.

This first conversation began when the male support person mentioned that he sewed costumes. He had several questions about making them.  He made the costumes for ComicCon which sounded appropriate for his age. We talked fabric. I mentioned that the shiny fabrics that the  costumes were made out of were the most difficult fabrics to work with. I said that 100% cotton is the easiest to work with. He caught on quickly and said, ” I should start with cotton, then, to develop my skills.” I agreed. He appreciated my willingness to share my knowledge freely with him. I thoroughly enjoyed this unlikely conversation.

Rogue Wave, an abstract art quilt
Rogue Wave, an abstract art quilt, a fav of one of my random encounters

Art Afficionatos are Everywhere

Another conversation took place when the male tech support  person asked me what an art quilt was. I was ready to present my laser statement to the world. I explained simply that an art quilt uses traditional quilting techniques to make wall art. He shared that he was very interested in art and loved spending time in art galleries.

I often refer people to my website. But it stuck me as funny to say “Take a look at my website.” Because we had literally just been working on it. It is fun to share my work especially to the uninitiated. He  was pleasantly surprised at what he saw. Feedback about his favorites was appreciated.

His favorite of my abstract pieces especially Rogue Wave convinced me that he was a true art fan. Hopefully, the art quilt world has a new convert. Maybe in the future he will be open to search out more art quilts and fiber art shows. There is much power in being ready to present your laser statement to the world.

https://annbaldwinmayartquilts.com/2020/06/develop-your-art-style/

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

Want an Heirloom?Make a Memory Quilt.

Memory Quilt finished art quilt

Memory Quilt-Step by Step

Above all,a memory quilt is a quilt made out of a person’s clothing as a way of honoring their memory. After seeing my art work, a client contacted me to make an art quilt as a way to keep the memory of  her grandmother alive.For example,follow as I show the step by step the process of making a memory quilt of the client’s grandmother’s clothes and articles.

At our First Meeting

At our first meeting, the woman shared information about her grandmother’s life that she especially wanted to be included in the memory quilt. In addition,she brought artifacts to illustrate her life. The artifacts included buttons, artificial flowers, a paper card notice, lace and several dresses and clothing . Together step by step, we decided on the colors.  We both agreed on the pink, green, and blue palette. I was able to use some dark blue from the orange and blue housedress.

Personal details

Furthermore,the wide range of details, artificial flowers, momentos, jewelry,clothing gave me a lot to choose from. Subsequently,I was also able to include buttons, lace from hems and the safety pins that had been hidden inside the clothing. Luckily, the client said that she would trust my artistic choices to arrange or eliminate as necessary. After that the work on the Memory Quilt-step by step began.

https://annbaldwinmayartquilts.com/2020/11/memory-quilts-i-have-made/

choosing fabrics for a memory quilt a work in progress Memory Quilt-A work in progress
Step 1. Choosing fabrics and details for a memory quilt
dresses for a memory quilt a work in progress,Memory Quilt-A work in progress
Step 2. dresses for a memory quilt
earrings for a memory quilt a work in progress,Memory Quilt-A work in progress
Step 3. Earrings add a very personal touch.

To Begin-Memory Quilt-Step by Step

First I cut  out parts of the fabric from the dresses. Based on my experience and the approximate size of the finished piece, I knew that  I didn’t need to take apart all of the seams. In other words, there would be plenty of fabric. Therefore, I cut pieces of about 10” -20” square. I heat fused interfacing on to the back of the polyester to reduce stretching and to aide sewing. Then I was able to cut out a variety of interesting geometric shapes in dark navy blue from an eliminated orange dress. Finally,I noticed that the back side of the fabric was a lovely medium blue so I decided to use both sides of the fabric. The pieces were smaller about 3” each.

Using the  Design Wall to create the Memory Quilt-step by step

Using the design wall, I pinned the fabric up to begin to try out fabrics for work in progress of the memory quilt.

Memory Quilt,Memory Quilt-A work in progress
Trying out fabrics for a memory quilt on the design wall

I created this accent from zippers I took out of the clothes. The safety pins are decorative. Be brave and use interesting objects that one might not usually think of using  for a memory quilt.

zipper detail
Step 4 Create zipper accent

Next, I added the details to get an idea about where they should go.

Moving around fabrics and details a work in progress
Step 5 Moving around fabrics and details

Then,I began to sew pieces together.

Memory Art Quilt, I sew many pieces together
Step6 Trying out places

I continued to sew pieces together and change their place for balance of color.

The various pieces are ready to sew together.
Step7 ready to sew together

Finally, all of the pieces found their special spot.Next, the top was sewn together. Then,the backing and batting are added. Lastly I quilt  the three layers together. In this case,the focus is on the materials and details. Therefore, the quilting took a back seat and did not stand out.

Memory Quiltfinished art quilt
Step 8 Memory Quilt finished art quilt




Read more in these articles on Memory Quilts.

https://annbaldwinmayartquilts.com/2021/10/something-about-memory-quilts/

https://annbaldwinmayartquilts.com/2020/11/memory-quilts-i-have-made/

https://annbaldwinmayartquilts.com/commissions-and-memory-quilts/

https://annbaldwinmayartquilts.com/2017/08/memory-quilts/

https://www.toocooltshirtquilts.com/blog/memory-quilt-ideas

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

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 waist dresses Villager brand,Memories of Favorite Colors
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
The lilac dress
The lilac dress is in the middle.
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″
An abstract art quilt with lavander,pink, and grey colors
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

African American Quilts On Display

Arbie Williams. "Medallion" (1987), quilted by Willia Ette Graham

Art Museum inherits  3,000 African American Quilts

Charles Desmarais October 16, 2019Updated: January 30, 2020, 10:08 am            

Arbie Williams, “Medallion” (1987), quilted by Willia Ette Graham.

A Gift of nearly 3,000 Quilts

Over all a gift of nearly 3,000 quilts,  was announced Wednesday, Oct. 16,2020. Furthermore, all of the quilts were designed and produced by African American artists.  Officials of the UC Berkeley Art Museum  announced the gift. Eli Leon put together the extensive collection over more than three decades.   Dr.Leon was a white Oakland psychotherapist. Meanwhile he became a respected expert on African American quilts. When Leon died in 2019, he left the quilts and a few other items to the Regents of the University of California. https://www.sfchronicle.com/bayarea/article/Eli-Leon-scholar-and-collector-of-African-12757330.php

The Unusual Gift

Subsequently,the gift will  add 15% to the museum’s permanent collection, said BAMPFA director Lawrence Rinder, in an interview with The Chronicle.

Minnie Nobles, “Square-in-a-Square” 

Stories of Communities of Color

Furthermore,the quilts help to broaden the  horizons of art history. In addition this will include the culture and the stories of communities of color. In just the past few years, exhibitions of works by artists of color have been taking place in museums worldwide. Above all,collectors and institutions are trying to diversify their collections. https://datebook.sfchronicle.com/art-exhibits/why-is-african-american-art-having-a-moment-the-reasons-are-as-varied-as-the-art-itself

Major Commitments

In addition,the two largest visual arts organizations, the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art and the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco, made major commitments. This year, SFMOMA sold a key Mark Rothko painting to raise millions of dollars . For example,this will enable the museum to broaden its collection through purchases of works by women, LGBTQ artists and artists of color.  After that,the Fine Arts Museums acquired 62 works by 22 contemporary African American artists . Rosie Lee Tompkins, Untitled (1996), quilted by Irene Bankhead.

Similarly,Lawrence Rinder knew Leon. In the past,they had worked together on an exhibition  of the quilts of Rosie Lee Tompkins. In addition,more than 500 works of Ms. Tompkins  are part of the  the gift. Moving forward, Mr. Rinder will curate a larger Tompkins show as his final project before retiring He said the quilts are decidedly not “folk art.”

It’s Art Art

Likewise,“Not to me,” he was quick to say. “I think it’s ‘art art.’ I don’t make those distinctions. To clarigy, labels like that justify the exclusion of people who are less well off or people who are not white.

“Some people think if you slap a label , it can help us understand where it comes from.On the other hand, I don’t care about any of that at all. Most importantly,I see emotion, expression, technical skill. … The rest doesn’t matter to me in the least.”

Monin Brown and Hattie “Strawberry” Mitchell

Adventurous Designs

For example,Leon tended to collect adventurous designs. However,it was not because the works look modern. “He believed deeply in a connection to African traditions. He conducted research on motifs, patterns and methods that he saw as rooted in Central Africa,”  Variations on a Theme,artist unknown

Funds for Conservation

After that,Rinder said gifts and grants are being sought to fund conservation of the fragile works. Moreover, he believes the university is committed to their care and display. Furthermore in a statement, UC Berkeley Chancellor Carol Christ said, “BAMPFA is uniquely suited to ensure that these wonderful works of art receive the exposure and attention they deserve.”

Eli Leon in his quilt storage room

Gladys Henry, “Medallion” (1992), quilted by Rose McDowell.Edited for space
https://datebook.sfchronicle.com/art-exhibits/uc-berkeley-art-museum-inherits-grand-trove-of-nearly-3000-african-american-quiltsCharles Desmarais

Charles Desmarais is The San Francisco Chronicle’s art critic. Email: cdesmarais@sfchronicle.com Free weekly newsletter: http://bit.ly/ArtguyReviews

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

https://annbaldwinmayartquilts.com/2020/07/political-quilts2008-2014/

https://annbaldwinmayartquilts.com/2017/08/eli-leon-collector-of-quilts-and-other-items/

https://annbaldwinmayartquilts.com/2020/07/political-quilts2008-2014/

Know Thyself? Myself, the Artist

De La Sierra

Myself, the Artist.I am an artist. The tools I use are fabric, threads, batting and a sewing machine. If you look in my studio, you would see a sewing machine, cutting boards, rotary cutter, scissors and tools generally found in a sewing room or fabric studio. However, the items on the walls are quite  foreign to a sewing room. Underwater fantasies, abstract art and maybe a Mexican inspired collage adorn the walls of my studio.

    Myself, the Artist

Art Quilt Studio in the Santa Cruz Art Center, Myself, the Artist
Art Quilt Studio in the Santa Cruz Art Center, This is where I work.

How do you do that?

Sometimes it is hard for people to understand what they are seeing. Perhaps they recognize a fish swimming though kelp. “How did you get it to look like the light is reflecting off of the water? What? It is covered with what? I don’t see it. ” Myself, the artist explains the fabric layering technique.  I lay the backing down on a table.Then I lay down the batting (soft center of a quilt). Next,  create the scene. Finally, I cover the whole piece with tulle netting. After free motion quilting the layers together the tulle netting disappears. The tulle netting remains on top but it can’t readily be seen. Some nettings have extra sparkles on it that reflects the light like water.This answers the question,what do I do?

 Traditional Blocks

Quilt blocks (squares) sewn together to create tradional  bed quilts. Those blocks are made from patterns. The patterns may be new or a hundred years old. Myself, the artist comes from that world. I love the charming bed quilts that I have made. I just don’t do that anymore.

No more Patterns

I no longer use commercial patterns.  When I buy a pattern, my expectation is that it will be correct. If if is a pattern for clothing, I pay attention to the measurements on the back. I expect the pattern to fit. Since I have been sewing clothes since high school, I have used many patterns for myself and my children. Sadly, more often than not, the clothing made from following these patterns carefully did not always fit.

The last straw for me was when my daughters were 3 and 4 years old. I was working full time. Yet, I wanted to make them each a dress with a pinafore. The pinafores were the same size as the dresses. The pattern had not adjusted them to be bigger to allow them to fit over the dresses. I was so disappointed. The dresses and pinafores were wore separately and loved to death by my daughters. I never bought another pattern after that.

Who created the Fabric Layering Technique?

Laura Fogg created the fabric layering technique. Meri Vahl learned it from her.  I learned it from Meri Vahl. We are all art quilters located in Northern California. I create my own landscapes and underwater fantasy scenes from fabric. While the techniques are similar, each art quilt is unique.

An underwater scene including sea dragons,Myself, the Artist
Swimming With Sea Dragons, an art quilt,This is what I make.

Abstract Art Quilts

Abstract art quilts are also visible  in my studio. The abstract pieces I make are designed on a design wall. My design wall is  a large wall covered with white flannel. The fabric pieces stick to the flannel. I can move the pieces  around until they find their spot. High end redirected fabrics from interior designers add a unique quality to my art. I choose solid colors but also fabrics with texture and movement that appeals to me. This answers the question,what do I do?

an abstract art quilt black and white with bits of color,Myself, the Artist
Gridlock II, art quilt This answers the question,what do I make?

Mexican inspired Fabric Collages

Mexican inspired fabric collages add whimsy to my studio. They reflect my love and respect for the Mexican culture. I love playing with the bright colors. Three dimensional found objects may also be hand sewn to the finished top.

whimsical art fabric collage,This answers the question,Myself, the Artist
Shopping With Ladybugs and Lizards, art quilt

Other articles that may be of interest to you.

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

https://annbaldwinmayartquilts.com/2019/12/coming-into-my-own-as-an-art-quilter/

More about my process of making my abstract pieces.

https://annbaldwinmayartquilts.com/2018/05/work-in-progress-winter-sky-sunset/

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

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/

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

Art Quilts at New York Art

Sand Between My Toes

Ann Baldwin May Art Quilts proudly announces that the following abstract art quilts are now on display on the website of New York Art; Beach Umbrellas, Sand Between My Toes, and  Sunlit Boulders. They will be displayed in the future in the New York Art Gallery, 7 Franklin Place , TriBeCa, New York,10013.

https://newyorkart.com/search?q=ann+baldwin+may

https://newyorkart.com/

Turquoise, yellow , and green fabrics in this bright art quiltArt Quilts at New York Art
Beach Umbrellas, 37″ x37″ 2016
Brown, green and cream colors of fabric in this art quilt,Art Quilts at New York Art
Sunlit Boulders
31″ x28″ 2016
Light colored fabrics with a pop of gold and blue in this art quilt,Art Quilts at New York Art
Sand Between My Toes 30″ x 25″ 2015



https://annbaldwinmayartquilts.com/2021/02/visual-arts-network-santa-cruz-county/

How to make an Abstract Art Quilt with Sunset Through the Forest as as an example.

How to Get Started

 choose Your colors

First, I prefer to choose a few contrasting colors. Then I search through my materials for fabrics, decorative yarns and threads in those colors. Sometimes I also choose lighter and darker hues of the same colors.

Make details with decorative threads.

Next, it is fun to make patterns with the decorative threads. For this piece I used the decorative threads to make several parallel lines on the fabric. I cut long strips and sewed the decorative threads in long lines.Then I randomly cut the long strips into 3 or other odd number of pieces. Creating texture- done!

green yellow bits
Several different examples of decorative details

On the Design Wall

Next, I display the potential finalist  fabrics on my design wall. My favorite choices are  fabrics with movement and interest.  Then, I also make sure that they are places for eyes to rest  by including solid colors.

green yellow bits on design wall
Trying out green and yellow bits of fabric randomly placed on the design wall

Balancing Colors

Next, balance out the colors and textured pieces so that they are not all on one side of the piece. Don’t be afraid  to take a break to come back to view the work with fresh eyes. A fresh look is always helpful in looking for ways to improve a piece. How will one’s eyes move around the art work? Elimination of fabrics can still take place.

green yellow farther along
Balancing the fabrics and colors

Sewing Smaller Pieces Together

Continue to sew small pieces of fabrics together. Then remember to  balance colors and fabrics so that they are equally spaced about the piece. Use this advantage of a design wall to view your whole piece.

Sunset Through Forest, art quilt
Small pieces are sewn together

Sewing More Pieces Together

Continue sewing pieces together and checking for balance.

finished top Sunset Through Forest
finished top, Sunset Through the Forest

Finishing

Lastly,I scribble quilt the three layers together to create an added level of movement. Scribble quilting is a technique I named using a  flowing quilting line created by moving the quilt side to side while quilting with a walking foot.

Sunset Through The Forest ,an art quilt
Time to Learn about the Newest Art Genre-Art Quilts

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Sea Dragons? Who Doesn’t Love Them?

Seadragon with Yellow Fish

See Sea Dragon Exhibit at Birch Aquarium

Sea Dragons Exhibit at Aquarium,Birch Aquarium,San Diego.

TRADEMARK AND COPYRIGHT 2019 THE ASSOCIATED PRESS. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. By Julie Watson

All things considered Seadragons & Seahorses, Birch Aquarium’s new permanent exhibition that brings seadragon conservation to the forefront. Above all,the exhibition is home to Weedy Seadragons and several species of seahorses and pipefish. 

For the first time ever, Birch Aquarium has successful bred Weedy Seadragons behind the scenes of this exhibit. In short,only a handful of aquariums around the world have bred these unusual fish. The babies are not on display, but you can learn more about their exciting birth on our Seadragon Breeding Program page. 

Sea Dragons Exhibit at Aquarium
Birch Aquarium,Scripps San Diego,CA

Why Seadragons and Seahorses? 

The husbandry of seadragons is increasingly vital due to the impacts of climate change, warming oceans, and illegal collection of wild populations, whose numbers are still widely unknown. 

Birch Aquarium has been successfully rearing seahorses in captivity for nearly 25 years. Similarly, that makes us a leader in the field. Furthermore,we hope this new exhibit will result in our first successful seadragon breeding.

Weedy Seadragons 

Surprisingly,these seahorse cousins use their bright coloration and seaweed-like appendages to hide among the kelp-covered rocky reefs of temperate southern Australian waters. 

Sea Dragons Exhibit at Aquarium
Sea Dragons in the Golden Kelp
Sea Dragons Exhibit at Aquarium
Swimming With Sea Dragons

Monterey Bay Aquarium

From the first time I saw sea dragons at the Monterey Bay Aquarium, I was fascinated. Was it a plant? Was it an animal? Seadragons and sea horses are surprisingly cousins. Unfortunately, for the interested public the Monterey Bay Aquarium exhibit is  no longer. The  sea dragons returned to the wild as the Aquarium often does.

I have  created several art quilts inspired by the sea dragons. However, nothing is quite like seeing the real animal. That is why I was so excited to hear of this new exhibit and the excitement that it is generating.

https://annbaldwinmayartquilts.com/2019/01/collider-event-displays/

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

New Kind of Talk-Pechakucha Laser Talk

Spring Break, 32" x32", $695.
Pechakucha laser talk
Spring Break, 32″ x 32″

Pechakucha Laser Talk

First of all,I prepared this Pechakucha laser talk in anticipation of presenting it at an art quilt meeting. The Pechakucha,a Japanese word for chitchat. To clarify it is a format that gives a speaker a limited amount of time to discuss a topic. For example, I would have 4 minutes to present a limited  number of photos to on one topic. At the same time,numerous presenters of a variety of topics are able to share.  That is to say that I prepared to discuss my passion for making art quilts from redirected materials.  Moreover,FABMO, a local nonprofit is where I get my materials from. http://fabmo.org

My Art Quilt World

To begin,I do nature art quilts, abstracts and Mexican inspired fabric collages. Furthermore, I am very passionate about using redirected materials and threads to keep them out of the landfill. My inspiration comes from the materials I find at FABMO . I have been a volunteer there for many years. To clarify,I  brought photos from three pieces that I completed recently to present at this Pechakucha laser talk. So I could share the process with you.

Spring Break, an art quilt

Blues , greens and light colors on a piece of linen,Pechakucha laser talk
Paisley pattern on linen

First I choose the fabric, Here is the material  I started with. I liked the variety of color and decided to use the colors as a basis of an abstract art quilt.

green and blue pieces of fabric on a design wall,Pechakucha laser talk
Step 1 Beginning to place pieces on the design wall randomly

Next, I couched decorative threads and yarns with the idea of making interesting details. Then I cut up the strips randomly to use as fabric.  Following that trying out other fabrics on the design wall.You can see several examples of redirected couched ribbon and yarn on different colored fabric.

Blue, yellow and green fabrics with ribbon and yarn couched on it,Pechakucha laser talk
Pechakucha laser talk

Finally,the completed piece using scribble quilting. Scribble quilting moves the quilt side to side while quilting to create flowing lines of sewing.

Skyward, an art quilt

grey and black dogs,Pechakucha laser talk
Greyhounds
Black and grey dogs on a white background,Pechakucha laser talk
Greyhounds in another direction

Originally, I chose this FABMO fabric for the movement and stark lines. But when choosing the fabric,I didn’t even noticed the dogs. They were not of interest for me. First,I began to couch green and black threads.

Redirected yarn is couching on the black and white material,Pechakucha laser talk
Here, I zigzagged a variety of colors.

Then,I continued  couching other  colored threads.  Some of these threads were light blue but read more like grey against the light grey part of the fabric.

Black and white fabric cut into form branches on a blue sky ,Pechakucha laser talk
Can you believe that the tree is made from the same material?

Finally, I was ready to use the fabric to create tree branches. Using the fabric layering technique,I laid the back fabric down on the table.Of course the back is also another piece of material from FABMO. I covered it with batting and I laid an indigo dyed piece on top for  the sky background.

Completed piece of black and white branches on a sky blue background.Pechakucha laser talk
The finished art quilt just showed the tree tops.

The finished piece,Skyward,succeeds in its interplay of light and dark on the branches. On the other hand,one doesn’t notice the dogs at all.

Under the Shady Tree, an art quilt

A leafy tree leans over a fence.
The finished art quilt, Under the Shady Tree made from redirected materials.

Next is the finished piece of under the Shady Tree.  Aficionados of redirected materials may recognize the fence fabric. To clarify, I used the fabric layering technique.

Tree branches with leaves fallingPechakucha laser talk
Unusual materials can be used in unique ways.

Furthermore,notice several leaves with bluish and gold colors. To be clear,I used a multicolored synthetic knit that kept rolling up in other projects. I couched it to help it lay flat. Then I cut it into leaves.

tree branches against a beige background
a different view

Last but not least,Shiny sheer fabrics add interest.

Multicolored threads around the base of the tree,Pechakucha laser talk
Take apart details and see what interesting fibers one can find.

Creating Texture

Moreover,texture is created by taking apart fabric details. They can be used as bunches of threads to add interest. One can also find decorative threads,ribbon and small cording . Lastly, I laid it on the foreground , covered it with tulle netting and free motioned quilted the three layers together.

To sum up,I am all about color, texture, and movement which I create using redirected materials. Thank you for letting me share some of my recent works with you.

In conclusion, learn more about these techniques.

https://annbaldwinmayartquilts.com/2020/03/fabric-layering-technique-another-look/

https://annbaldwinmayartquilts.com/2017/04/wacky-fun-quilting-again/

To learn or refresh your memory about this all volunteer organization you may read the following article.
https://annbaldwinmayartquilts.com/2017/12/the-amazing-stor…a-big-difference/

‎https://annbaldwinmayartquilts.com/2019/12/coming-into-my-own-as-an-art-quilter/

http://annbmayartquilts.etsy.com/

https://annbaldwinmayartquilts.com/2018/11/use-redirected-fabric-in-art-quilts/

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

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

Academy of Social Justice

Social Justice Sewing Academy

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

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




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
Photo of the collider event display I worked  from

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

working backwards
working backwards
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
working backwards
5. Sewing more pieces together

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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