Artist Profile: Linda T. Minton

Linda Teddlie Minton

San Antonio, Texas

1. What other ideas for this theme "rituals" did you have?  Ice cream at bedtime, children's games, reciting the "times table" for its calming effect, wishing on a star.  I still may develop some of those ideas.

2.  Are you involved in any community or group projects where you donate your work?  if yes, what project or projects?  This was my first year to donate a small framed art quilt (for fund-raising) to Say Si, a non-profit organization bringing arts programs to students. I also continue to support Virginia Spiegel's wonderful FFAC (Fiberarts For A Cause), helping to raise funds to fight cancer.

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 FiberVoices, a small, closely-knit group of Texas fiber artists.  The comfortable, safe environment for exchanging technical advice and encouraging each others' artistic expression is invaluable, but probably our favorite thing is being able to give and receive honest critiques.

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?  Yes, I'm serving a year on the Board of Directors (for the Annual Exhibit) of FASA (Fiber Artists of San Antonio).  I'm also a member of SAQA, but so far, have not entered any of their exhibits ... that's one of my goals for this coming year.

5.  What is your favorite palette of colors that you use in your work?  name 5 and your least favorite colors?  name 5.  Oh gosh!  Favorites are probably deep golds, rich browns, blacks, dark greens, deep blues.  Least favorites are any of the pastels, although I do force myself to incorporate them sometimes ... a little light-and-bright is sometimes needed to emphasize the darker elements.

6.  Describe your creative work space in 20 words or less.  are you messy or tidy?  A computer with Photoshop is a must!  I have three sewing machines, and lots of shelves and fabrics in my studio (i.e., game room).  I'm EXTREMELY messy!


7.  What is your creative process?  think, draw, design, make or right to the design?  I tend to "think on paper."  I'm always afraid that if I have a brilliant idea, it will disappear before I can get it down in writing.  From idea to drawing to enlargement ... and only then will I start thinking of how I will bring it to life.  Sometimes I have to "think in the prone position," which has the advantage of being able to nap while waiting for the brilliant ideas to come!

 

8.   Is there a particular object or shape that shows up repeatedly in your work?  Why?  Leaves and ferns are often found in my quilting designs, because they are simple yet infinitely changeable.  I love spirals and graceful "swoosh" shapes, although I'm beginning to appreciate geometrics.

9.   If you had to choose a favorite artist from another media, who would it be, and why?  I've always adored the illustrations of Arthur Rackham.  They can be so sensitive and strong at the same time, usually depicting fantasy or folk tale characters such as faires and ogres.  His delicate use of line and color just blows me away.

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, but I've had some of my artwork published ... most recently in the Feb/March 2012 issue of Quilting Arts Magazine.

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 do make art full time, but I don’t consider it a career … yet. After taking early retirement, it took me a few years to discover quilting, and then a few more to find art-quilting.  I’m now a happy camper "with ambitions".

12.  What is your most thrilling news to date in relation to your art quilt life?  After having gone for several years without a longarm quilting machine (had to give it up when I moved), I’m now about to get my new A-1 machine. I’m like a kid at Christmas, waiting for Santa to show up with that great big crate!

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