Tuesday, May 29, 2012

Artist Profile: Susan Fletcher King

Susan Fletcher King
Houston, Texas
 
1. What other ideas for this theme "rituals" did you have?  I had a wonderful idea about bedtime rituals that involved reading to your children before bed.  Unfortunately, the imagery just didn't work in the long vertical format, so I'm hoping to make that quilt in a different size at a later date.

2. Are you involved in any community or group projects where you donate your work? if yes, what project or projects?  I donate my work to to a couple of non-profit groups when I am able.  These include a nature center located here in Houston and  a rescue group for homeless pets.  Both of these groups hold annual auctions since they have limited funds and depend largely on community support. 
 
3. Do you belong to a small group of like-minded artists? yes/no name/where what is the best part of being part of an art group? Yes.  I belong to two different groups. The first group is called Fiber Voices which started as a splinter group from a larger bee.  I enjoy the small size of Fiber Voices and we are very supportive of each other as we try to do both individual and group projects.  The second group is called Out Of Bounds and I count myself as being very lucky in that I was invited to join.  This group is a bit larger with approximately a dozen members.  Although started mainly as a critique group, Out Of Bounds also holds semi-regular play dates for low pressure fun and experimentation. 
 
4. Are you a member of a professional art organization, such as SAQA? Have you ever held a volunteer position in the organization, and if so, what? No, not at this time.
5. What is your favorite palette of colors that you use in your work? name 5 and your least favorite colors? name 5    I find myself particularly drawn to black and the cool colors - blues, some grays and greens.  I LOVE acid green although I can't always justify using it in my work.  I often have to force myself to work with the warm colors - orange is particularly difficult and I really make a conscious effort to "friend" it.

6. Describe your creative work space in 20 words or less. are you messy or tidy? My studio is small so I try to keep it clean and clear.  Sometimes I am less successful at this.

7. What is your creative process? think, draw, design, make or right to the design?    Sometimes it may take a process of sketching from thumbnails to larger, fully planned drawings while other times I can bypass the drawing stage and go right to the fabric.   Either way, I always have some idea in mind and so the conversation between myself and my art begins. 
 
8. Is there a particular object or shape that shows up repeatedly in your work? Why?  I wish I had a "signature" element but it hasn't happened yet.

9. If you had to choose a favorite artist from another media, who would it be, and why?  My favorite living artist is Maggie Taylor - what she does is amazing!  Each piece is like a story  and not always a predictable story!   And I adore Maxfield Parrish.  Perhaps because of my background as an illustrator, but without a doubt, I really love to get lost in his art.  I love the scale of his large paintings and the luminosity that they have.

10. Have you written a book related to Art Quilts and Quilting or have an instructional DVD? If so, can you tell us the title or titles? No books or DVDs as of now.

11. Do you make art full time? If you have another career, would you describe what you do? and how you incorporate art into your life?  Art is as full-time as I can make it.  I juggle the mother/wife duties and fit my art time in between that.  If I weren't doing art, I'd need a therapist!

12. What is your most thrilling news to date in relation to your art quilt life? I am always excited if someone buys my art.  I recently found out that at least two patrons of the art gallery where my work is shown actively buy and collect my artwork and are notified of any new work of mine when it comes into the gallery.  That was inspiring and ego-boosting!
 
www.susanfletcherking.com

2 comments:

  1. Susan, I love reading about people I even "think" I know well. There were a few surprises in your interview, fun to find out. And you make the most amazing art in one of the tiniest studios I've ever seen! Just goes to show ... it's not the size of the studio, but the passion of the artist that counts.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Linda,
    thanks for your comments. I also enjoy learning about each other from these wonderful interviews.

    ReplyDelete

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