Artist Profile: Lesley Riley

Lesley Riley

Frederick, MD

www.LesleyRiley.com

1.  Describe your signature style in 5 words: Storytelling: transfer, photos, fabric, color

2.  Do you ever work in another medium and, if so, what is it and what appeals to you about it?

I like the freedom of choice, serendipity and texture of mixed media which I translate into books, paintings, collage and yes, quilts.

3.  What's coming up for you in your artistic world? My latest book, Creative Image Transfer,  comes out July 2014. I just completed an article for the Nov/Dec issue of Studios magazine so now its time to start work on my 7th book, a Quotes Illustrated workbook. I am also preparing projects for a few episodes of Quilting Arts TV. Oh! And there's a new product launch...

4.  Do you have any studio rituals? Left brain first, followed by right brain. I do my best logical, linear work in the am and devote my afternoons and evenings to the creative side. Other than that pattern, there are no rituals. I'm all about practical grounding for the creative spirit.

5.  Who has inspired you on your artistic journey? Any artist whose work can make my heart swoon or take my breath away inspires me to move forward on my own creative journey. There are too many to name and many unknown. If I had to pick one person/artist, it would be Jean Ray Laury and her book,The Creative Woman's Getting-It-All-Together at Home Handbook. She was my inspiration and guiding light back in the 70s when I was a 20-something young mother artist/quilter wanna-be and eventually a friend and collaborator when I was in my 50s.

6.  What are the 5 essential things in your studio that you cannot live without? computer, gesso, scissors, TAP Transfer Artist Paper, iron

7.  What is on your design table right now? 26 books, cutting mat, rotary cutter, ruler, remnants of my latest hand-printed Printed Fabric Bee fabric and a Pigma pen. 

8.  How do you juggle your artistic life, family, friends, etc?  

After 42 years of constant advanced juggling (including swords and fire) I like to pretend that part of my life is over. In reality, there will always be a juggle, hopefully with fewer balls in the air. You just do it. The true priorities are always in flux and rise to the top all on their own. I just step up, do what's on top and move on to the next thing. I like to stay busy.

9.  Do you have any studio companions (human or otherwise)? Just me, myself and I, if I'm lucky.

10.  What was the biggest challenge in creating your piece for Reflections? Having a surface longer than 60" to work on.