1. How do you describe yourself? Mom, wife, artist, coffee drinker, crossword puzzle lover2. What is your creative process? I usually make a list of elements and ideas I want to include in a particular piece of art. Then I go about designing a composition that will accommodate all the things on my list. The design process starts with auditioning several pieces of fabric, adding surface design where needed, stacking pieces in various arrangements and eventually, fusing, embellishing, quilting and finishing.
3. What's your style? I create fabric collages. Most of my recent work incorporates surface design, hand embroidery, sheer layers and recycled textiles. Several motifs turn up again and again: leaves, stones, hillsides, houses, shrines and grids.
4. How long have you been a quilt maker/fiber artist? I made a queen size quilt from an Eleanor Burns "Quilt In A Day" pattern in about 1994. I choose the puffiest batting I could find thinking I would have no trouble quilting it on my Kenmore machine. When I failed, my mother volunteered to hand quilt it for me. I've grown, changed and developed my own personal style since then, and my mom is still a wonderful support!
5. Do you listen to music when you make art? I listen to podcasts. I especially love podcasts about interesting people living creative lives. This American Life, Studio 360 and Radio Lab are some of my favorites. (I have some guilty pleasure podcasts too. I'll keep those to myself.)
6. What do you do when you are blocked creatively? As Dory says in the movie Finding Nemo, "Just keep swimming, swimming, swimming..."
7. Do you teach? I do teach. I love leading creative people through a day of new ideas, refreshing exploration and enthusiastic support.
8. Are there artistic endeavors that you have yet to do? So many!
9. How do you balance your family life and art? In the spring of 2009, I made a commitment to create a small art quilt from start to finish every day for 40 days. One of the things I learned from that experience is that time becomes available if I really prioritize my day. Of course, some days are better than others. (Some years are better than others!) I am also so very thankful that my husband and my kids appreciate and support my art life.
10. What is the best part about what you do? It's all good... but lately I've been entranced by the joy and serenity I feel with each stitch of hand embroidery. Up and down, snapping through layers of cloth, creating little shapes and enhancing texture.
Deborah, Thank you for sharing. Don't you love getting to know about all the interesting artists here.
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