Monday, October 3, 2016

Artist Profile: Barb Forrister

Barb Forrister
Austin, Texas

1. How do you describe yourself?  I would describe myself as a fiber artist who enjoys working in a 3 dimensional manner to bring about nature inspired hand painted scenes.
 
2. What is your creative process?  Starting from a photo, I paint my focal point which is usually a wild animal on a white piece of cotton. After painting the subject, I will fill in the background, heat set and quilt the entire piece. Then, I begin making my 3 dimensional elements which are painted stitched, soft sculpted and hand appliqued. The final steps are the facing, sleeve and label which while my least favorite part of the process that signals the home stretch.

3. Describe your studio space.  I have two studios, a wet studio used for painting, and dyeing and my stitching studio where I quilt and create my 3 dimensional soft sculpted elements. It is here where I have my design wall that I can audition various elements in the making. 

4. What's your signature style? How long did it take you to find your style when you first started making art quilts?  My signature style is the texture and dimensional elements that I add to my pieces. I love working with a wide array of natural and synthetic fibers to create texture and depth. My style is very evident in both my materials and representational form. Looking back at my earliest work, I can see that it has always been there in some form or another.
 
5. Are there artistic endeavors you are yet to do?  I would love to have my work accepted in a SAQA exhibit. 
 
6. Do you keep a sketchbook and/or journal?  I have several sketchbooks which I use. Recently, I have taken to making sketchbook covers and embellishing them with paints, trinkets and fibers. They are so much more fun and inviting! I also have an ongoing journal which I write my thoughts in as per the book, The Artists Way, which helps me record my thoughts.
 
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 have just come out with three patterns of my 3 Dimensional flowers, Calla Lillis, Orchids and Asiatic Lillis with many more in the making. My work has also been published in SAQA Portfolios, Quilting Arts Magazines, In Stitches Emag, Machine Quilting Unlimited Magazine,  Lone Stars III: A Legacy of Texas Quilts 1986-2011 by Karey Patterson Bresenhan and Nancy O’Bryant Puentes, Colorful Fabric Collage: Sketch Fuse Quilt by Sue Bleiweiss and Sacred Threads 2015 Special Exhibition book http://www.sacredthreadsquilts.com/
 
8. Do you teach?  I do teach for guilds and other art organizations but I have taken a hiatus this year. I am finding that I am missing it and plan to be back next year!
 
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?
Sacred Threads Traveling Exhibit: November - December 2016 at The Rectory located at 17 College Street, Norcross GA 30072, Cultural Arts Center 678.421.2025, www.norcrossga.net
  • January-March 2017 at the Texas Quilt Museum located at 140 W. Colorado Street, La Grange TX, 979.968.3104, www.texasquiltmuseum.org 
  • Quilt Festival Houston World of Beauty
     
    10. How many years have you had your work in d@8 exhibits, or is this your first time? I have been most fortunate and blessed to have my work included in six Dinner@8 Artists exhibits. I love this group!

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