Artist Profile: Barb Forrister

Barb Forrister

Austin, Texas

www.BarbForrister.com

1. Did the change in dimensions present any specific challenges for you?   Yes, I felt extremely challenged to work in a square format. I have such a difficult time staying "in the box" so to speak!

2. Describe your design area, specifically your work table:  what is the best thing about it? My design area consists of a portable design wall that is essentially a pink foam board that I picked up at Home Depot. I use it to paint on and often pin my works in progress to it while I am quilting so that I can carry it around and even bring it outside to audition colors and thread choices in a better light.

3. What set this quilt apart from other recent projects you have been working on? The square format and 2 dimensional aspect sets this piece on a very different level from my normal 3 dimensional artwork.

4. When you get “stuck” how do you deal with a “design block”?  How do you overcome it? Great question! Sometimes, I just need time and/or inspiration to overcome my design block. A trip to the zoo or nature preserve does wonders for me!

5. Do you work on single or multiple projects at the same time? I usually work on one project at a time though I have been known to juggle a few simultaneously.

6. What do you hope people take away from your work? It is my sincere wish that people come to have a greater respect for nature and it's many creatures.

7. What are the best parts of working on an art quilt:  What are your least favorite parts? I absolutely love the painting aspect of my work and while I do enjoy the quilting aspect, my least favorite part is the finishing work, i.e. the squaring, facing, sleeve and label. By this time, I just want the piece to be born! lol

8. What art/quilt-related organizations do you belong to? I am a professional member of Studio Art Quilt Associates and I also belong to the Austin Art Bee and the Austin Fiber Artists group.

9. Do you have a preferred color palette?  Why? I love working in jewel tone colors because they are bold and completely saturated with rich and lush color tones. When paired together, they are most beautiful!

10. What do you regard as your most interesting milestones along your art journey? I love teaching because I get to meet so many wonderful people and often come away learning something myself.