Loris Bogue - Simi Valley, California

1. How do you describe yourself? Curious. A non-stop student. A happy mother, wife, artist.

2. What is your creative process? I am usually inspired by the quirky, the things that surprise me, the juxtaposition of things that aren't usually seen together. My digital camera and Photoshop play a big part in my creative process. I also keep notebooks of things I've cut out to save for inspiration.

3. What's your style? I enjoy doing photo realistic work, particularly faces. I like to dye, discharge, and silkscreen fabric, so many times my art work means creating new fabric as an end in itself.

4. How long have you been a quilt maker/fiber artist? Since 1984, but I have been making clothing since 1960! A lady I worked with in 1984 used to hand quilt at lunch time in our conference room, and she told me where she took lessons. I tried a hand piecing class and was hooked after the first lesson.

5. Do you listen to music when you make art? Usually I listen to classic rock music and talk radio. Sometimes I'll have the TV on.

6. What do you do when you are blocked creatively? I go through my art books and look particularly at 20th century art. I also browse my quilt show catalogs and books to see what others have done. When I'm driving I find I do a lot of thinking about the current project I'm working on.

7. Do you teach? I taught classes at Quilters' Studio in Newbury Park, California, usually new techniques that I learned on my own. I've also taught a class in making dress forms and how to photograph quilts. My favorite part is knowing that a student went home and used what she learned to create something on her own.

8. Are there artistic endeavors that you have yet to do? I am completing my Certificate in Web Design from Pierce College this year. Earning the certificate has meant taking graphic arts classes, but I want to continue my art education by taking drawing and illustration after my certificate is complete.

9. How do you balance your family life and art? Since I work from home, I struggle constantly to prioritize and get the things done that I want to do. My husband knew what he was getting into 15 years ago when we married, as far as my compulsion to create, so he supports my art wholeheartedly.

10. What is the best part about what you do? Between completing the minor remodeling of the older home we bought last year, the new businesses my husband and I created, and my textile art, I feel blessed to have a life where I can fill my need to create all day long!