Artist Profile: Linda Anderson

Profile Questions
1. How do you describe yourself?

I am a woman of intensity and vitality.  I wake each day mentally stimulated and challenged to continue creating images with fabric and stitching.  A friend described me as a “3M----mono-maniac on a mission.”  

2. What is your creative process?

I continually look for striking images and composition as inspiration to work from.  I first create an 18”x24” drawing with colored pencils of exactly how I want the final image to look, enlarge it to finished size, and use that as templates to hand paint all the various pieces for the raw edge applique.  I found I have to create all the fabric needed for my imagery, which is usually quite realistic.

3. Describe your studio space.

My friends marvel that I do what I do in the space I work in…..it’s postage stamp size, if that.  I have a 4x6 foot table that literally fills the space with a set in 18” mid arm machine in it, and everything gets done on that table-----drawing, painting, cutting, stitching, you name it.  And did I mention it used to be my husband’s office, and still is. 

4. What's your signature style? How long did it take you to find your style when you first started making art quilts?

My pieces have a strong imagery of people that tell a story with a graphic quality that catches the viewer’s eye, often with strong rich colors. When you get close you see the myriad of subtleties of painted fabrics and intense contour stitching.  It took me about 2 years to find my voice.

5. Are there artistic endeavors you are yet to do?

I really want to work even larger than I usually do, maybe in the 60”x60” realm.  I love the impact of size….it can be so powerful.

6. Do you keep a sketchbook and/or journal?

I don’t write or sketch, surprisingly.  I keep a file folder of photo images I’ve shot or collected, waiting to perhaps turn into an art piece.  It’s when I’m ready to make a certain piece that I then draw it out.  I love that part of my process. 

7. Being published is important to artists, so do you have any instructional dvd's, author of books, YouTube channel, have a website with other artists for collaborative projects?

I’ve been published in magazines as Featured Artist, as well as individual pieces.  I am documenting my process on my current working piece to hopefully turn into an online tutorial on my website.  My process is extremely labor intensive, as my dearest quilting friends readily attest to. 

8. Do you teach? What your schedule for September 2016 to March 2017

I do talks on my process and trunk shows at local guilds.  My next one is February 15, 2017 at Kaleidoscope Quilters in Lemon Grove, CA.

9. Having your work in juried, invitationals, and solo shows is a great way to get your name out there. Where can people see your work? List exhibits from September to March 

California Fibers: Eclectic Threads, Oceanside Museum of Art, Ca.  July-Sept. 2016

34^th Annual New Legacies: Contemporary Art Quilts, July-Sept. 2016    Best in Show award

AQS Chattanooga, National Quilt Museum Gala of the Unexpected, Sept 14-17

PA National Quilt Extravaganza, Sept 19-22

AQS Des Moines, National Quilt Museum Gala of the Unexpected, Oct. 5-8

Oasis Quilt Festival, Palm Springs, CA.  Oct. 6-8

Loft Art Studios, San Pedro, Oct. 30-Nov. 

QSC Expo, Oklahoma Winter Quilt Show, Jan 2017

AQS Daytona Beach, National Quilt Museum Gala of the Unwxpected, March 1-4, 2017

AQS Lancaster, PA, National Quilt Museum Gala of the Unexpected, March 28-31, 2017

10. How many years have you had your work in d@8 exhibits, or is this your first time?

This is my second year to be in d@8, and I’m so glad to be part of it again.