Artist Profile: Laurie Brainerd

Laurie Brainerd

San Antonio, TX

1. What other ideas for this theme "rituals" did you have?      It took me a pretty long time to come up with this idea, so when I got it and liked it, I stopped thinking of other ideas.

2.  Are you involved in any community or group projects where you donate your work?  if yes, what project or projects   No

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?  Sort of?  I associate with the fellow full-time artists in my studio building, but we aren’t a formal group.  We do generally support each other, mentor each other, and occasionally market together, as there is synergy to a group.

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?  I’m a member of SDA, SAQA, and FASA.  Volunteer positions that I have held in the past are SAQA:  Co-Rep for Texas.  My main accomplishment was getting the “SAQA Circles” going.  Personally starting San Antonio, Austin, Houston, and Dallas.  Pan-Handle and Coastal Circles have since also started.  FASA:  Email Tree Coordinator.

5.  What is your favorite palette of colors that you use in your work?  name 5 and your least favorite colors?  name 5  My favorite palette is red-violet and chartreuse and I force myself to work in a wide-variety of color palettes and generally like all colors favoring complements.

6.  Describe your creative work space in 20 words or less.  are you messy or tidy? My space is industrial and very flexible.  I’m generally very organized, but can get very messy while in the throes of a project.  My space supports messy spills and organization.

7.  What is your creative process?  think, draw, design, make or right to the design?  I generally get intuitive designs of color and shape that I quickly sketch and then create.  The quilting design is always a thought-out process.

8.   Is there a particular object or shape that shows up repeatedly in your work?  Why? Circles and Grids.  Circles because they represent connection to the Universe, right-brain, allowing, not being in control.  Grids because they represent left-brain, needing to feel safe, illusion of control.

9.   If you had to choose a favorite artist from another media, who would it be, and why?  Right now, Andy Warhol, because he was so darn prolific, I love his colors, and he did what he darned-well pleased.

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.

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?  I’m a full-time studio artist and have recently started teaching courses in professionalism, coaching artists with emerging careers, and giving inspirational presentations.

12.  What is your most thrilling news to date in relation to your art quilt life? My biggest professional accomplishment was an installation of an art quilt triptych in the lobby of the Baptist Mission Trail Hospital in San Antonio, TX. 

www.lauriebrainerd.com/blog

www.lauriebrainerd.com