Artist Profile: Ann Turley

Ann Turley

Fallbrook,CA

www.annturley.info

1. Did the change in dimensions present any specific challenges for you?   It did bother me at first. I don't usually create pieces that are a perfect square but after getting into the creative groove, the size and shape no longer mattered.

2. Describe your design area, specifically your work table:  what is the best thing about it? Many years ago I purchased a cutting table when a fabric shop closed. It is the perfect height, width and length, and has a large storage shelf. There is a bank of fluorescent lights hung directly above it, along with a electrical outlet for my iron.  

 

3. What set this quilt apart from other recent projects you have been working on? The perspective of the dog and the heavier use of paint and pencil to achieve depth and detail. 

4. When you get “stuck” how do you deal with a “design block”?  How do you overcome it? I leave the quilt on the design wall so I can ruminate over it until a solution comes. In the meantime I work on other pieces, study the work of others, make smaller projects - anything to keep the creative flow going. Oftentimes a solution will come to me while I'm sleeping.

5. Do you work on single or multiple projects at the same time? Multiple, at least three. All will have wildly varying sizes, techniques and themes. 

6. What do you hope people take away from your work? I hope the viewer can feel the sense of joy I had when I was working on this quilt. The dog represents my favorite hound, one who made me laugh every day. His spirit shines through every fiber of this piece. 

7. What are the best parts of working on an art quilt:  What are your least favorite parts? The design process is the best part; I least enjoy binding or facing the edges. 

9. Do you have a preferred color palette?  Why? I love working with orange and green because it makes me happy.

10. What do you regard as your most interesting milestones along your art journey? A fairly recent move from Los Angeles to San Diego left me feeling apprehensive and unsure of where I was headed artistically. However, I have created my best work in these past four years. I've had several pieces accepted to galleries and SAQA exhibitions, and sold a quilt through a gallery. A change of scenery was a great milestone!