Artist Profile: Barb Forrister

Barb Forrister

Austin, Texas

www.BarbForrister.com  

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!

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.

Artist Profile: Victoria Findlay Wolfe

 

Victoria Findlay Wolfe

New York, New York

vfwquilts.com

1. How do you describe yourself?  Open minded, and on a joyful path.

2. What is your creative process?  My process is all improv based, I get an idea, and start putting and making a parts department, and I begin pushing fabrics and colors around. I love the free form path of exploration.  I never quite know where my designs will lead me...

3, Describe your studio space.  A long rectangle, with enough wall space to work on 10 quilts at a time...Fabrics are neatly folded and kept neat, the rest fo the space can get quite messy. But that is how you know things are happening! I have three regular juke's, one sit down Juki, and one Juki longer machine in this space...I float around in different projects, depending on when I feel inspired.  I have a lot of good light steaming in as well.  If only I had a good window washer... LOL.

4. What's your signature style?  Scraps.  I start with scraps, and build fabric, until an idea hits. How long did it take you to find your style when you first started making art quilts?  It's what I learned, and how I've always worked. It’s been an investigation of the process ever since.

5. Are there artistic endeavors you are yet to do?  I wait for the day to show me what's next.

6. Do you keep a sketchbook and/or journal?  No, I do not...But I do take a lot of photographs.

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?  

website: vfwquilts.com

Blog: http://bumblebeansinc.blogspot.com

Youtube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCBKcieWwhSI6CillxXeeJpQ

Videos: http://vfwquilts.com/pages/videos

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/VictoriaFindlayWolfeQuilts/

Instagram: victoriafindlaywolfe

Books:

15 Minutes of Play  

Double wedding Ring Quilts: traditions Made Modern

8. Do you teach? 

Sept 8-10 National Quilt Museum: 3 day Double Wedding Rings

Sept. 19th Warwick Valley guild workshop

Sept. 24th Quilters Take Manhattan

October 15-16th,  Warwick Valley Quilt Guild Show

October 19th Pieceful Patchers lecture, Williston, NY

November 8-9 Calico Cutters, Philadelphia, PA

Oct 26 /Nov 6 - Fall Quilt Market

Nov 14th Long Island Quilters Society

Nov 30-Dec 4th Hudson River Valley Art School 

Jan CRAFT NAPA! 

Feb 16-19: QuiltCon! 

Feb 26- March 3rd. Empty Spools 5day Double Wedding Ring Class

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? Houston International Quilt Festival, QuiltCon, Yvonne Porcella Memorial exhibit, World Quilt Festival, MQX 

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

Do you have a special memory about Yvonne Porcella that you would like to share with us?  Her smile and twinkle in her eye, Yvonne lived her life as joyfully and creatively as possible.

Artist Profile: Cindy Cooksey

Cindy Cooksey

Irvine, California

Http://cookseyville.blogspot.com

1. How do you describe yourself?  Quirky, whimsical, playful fiber artist with a reverence for handwork. 

2. What is your creative process?  First comes the search for an idea: I make lists of possibilities and usually know instantly when I have found the "right" one. Next I make sketches and gather materials. Then I start cutting, arranging and stitching, until it's done. 

3. Describe your studio space.  It is an open space in the center of the house, upstairs.  It's all there except for my handwork materials, which are downstairs in the family room. 

4. What's your signature style? How long did it take you to find your style when you first started making art quilts?  Colorful, often whimsical and playful. I think my style was apparent early on.  

 

5. Are there artistic endeavors you are yet to do?  I wish I had a crystal ball. I don't plan ahead that much. 

 

6. Do you keep a sketchbook and/or journal?  I have kept a loose-knit succession of journals over the years. 

 

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 been published in various magazines, and books over the years.  I also sell patterns through Jukebox. 

 

8. Do you teach?   I do have a speaking/teaching gig at a local guild in early 2018. 

 

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? A Tribute to Yvonne Porcella, at "Quilting in the Garden," Alden Lane Nursery, Livermore CA. 

 

10. How many years have you had your work in d@8 exhibits, or is this your first time?  I've been in every one, since the beginning. 

Do you have a special memory about Yvonne Porcella that you would like to share with us?  I am lucky enough to have been in the same room as Yvonne many times: at my local fabric shop in the 90's where she spoke; at artist receptions in Santa Monica, Riverside, and San Jose; at a class she taught in Long Beach; and at Dinner at Eight dinners at Quilt Festivals. We said a few words to each other, but I am generally tongue-tied in the presence of greatness. I have been a great admirer ever since that first long-ago encounter, for her bold, colorful and playful approach to quilt making.

Artist Profile: Karol Kusmaul

Karol Kusmaul

Inverness, FL 
kquilt.blogspot.com

1. How do you describe yourself?  Art quilter/retired art teacher/wife/mother/Pollyanna type person

2. What is your creative process?  I rarely sketch.  I get inspired by an idea, and just start ‘drawing’ with my scissors.  I journal every morning and find this helps keep me focused and gets ideas flowing.

3. Describe your studio space.  I am SO lucky to have a building next door to my home, with skylights, kitchen, office and a bathroom.  With an adjoining pool and view of a pasture and lake.  Not kidding.  It’s wonderful.  My husband gets one little corner for his golf clubs.

4. What's your signature style?  I use a lot of fabrics from thrift store clothing.  I adore pattern and am always alert to contrast.  I mostly enjoy doing portraits and figures that tell a story.  Much of my work is handwork.   How long did it take you to find your style when you first started making art quilts?  Right away!  My first art quilt was a self-portrait with ruddy cheeks from hot flashes, and happy hands because I had just ordered a longarm quilting machine!

5. Are there artistic endeavors you are yet to do?  Of course!  I’m always looking at the work of the Masters for guidance.

6. Do you keep a sketchbook and/or journal?  I do morning pages every day.  When I taught high school art, I kept sketchbooks.

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?  My website is at www.kquilt.com   My blog is at http://kquilt.blogspot.com/    

   

8. Do you teach? I taught traditional quilting classes for 21 years, public school Art for 32 years, and Art quilt classes for 6 years.  I currently teach workshops for guilds (Landscape, Portrait, and Still life)  Email me! karol@kquilt.com  

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?  I have work in the SAQA exhibits: Food for Thought, Redirecting the Ordinary, and Piecing Together a Changing Planet 

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 honored to have my work in the Dinner@Eight exhibit.  I wish we would do An Exquisite Moment again.  Great theme, but before my time!

Artist Profile: Lyric Kinard

Lyric Kinard
Cary, North Carolina
www.lyrickinard.com

1. How do you describe yourself?  Artist, Author, Educator

2. What is your creative process?  Think, Dream, Sketch, Doodle in all the leftover bits of time a mother has - and eventually get around to a making things in a spate of frenzied activity.

3. Describe your studio space. A 10’ x 16’ space that should be a formal sitting room but is crammed full of creative clutter instead.

4. What's your signature style? How long did it take you to find your style when you first started making art quilts?  Over such a very long time of making things I’ve played around with many, many different styles. Lately I love richly textured and patterned cloth with a simple overall abstract composition.

 

5. Are there artistic endeavors you are yet to do?  Someday I want to earn a BFA - if for nothing more than to spend a very concentrated time working deeply on my art. Perhaps I should look at doing a residency or retreat instead. Who knows. Right now I still need to be MOM.

 

6. Do you keep a sketchbook and/or journal? All the time. Everywhere. Many of them.

 

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’m everywhere I can manage! Find my DVD’s, books and booklets at www.LyricKinard.com and look for the shop tab.

 

8. Do you teach? Teaching feeds my soul as much as making art does. You can see my schedule at www.LyricKinard.com under the teaching tab. I’d especially love to have you join me for a week of playing with paint at Prochdemical and Dye August 7-11, 2017.

 

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? To Dye For at Visions art Museum until October 2nd, 2016.

 

10. How many years have you had your work in d@8 exhibits, or is this your first time? Six out of the last seven years.

Do you have a special memory about Yvonne Porcella that you would like to share with us?

I did not know Yvonne personally but distinctly remember the first time I saw her. She radiated. Smile as wide as the ocean. Spirit as open as the sun. She was generous - exemplifying the truth that the more love and light you put into the world the more love and light you will have.

Artist Profile: Terri Stegmiller

Terri Stegmiller

Mandan, North Dakota

www.terristegmiller.com

1. How do you describe yourself?  I tell people who ask about me that I am a mixed media artist. My focus is on creating my own unique fabrics to use in my work. I most enjoy creating art quilts and other sewing projects such as handbags and pillows.

 

2. What is your creative process?  Most of my designs, whether for surface design or art quilting, begin as drawings/sketches. I scan the drawings into the computer, tweak and edit in Photoshop, and then print patterns for quilting and screen printing or use the image files for creating stencils.

3. Describe your studio space.  I have two rooms that I use in my house--one is where I do my sewing and fabric painting. I have a large rolling table with storage where I do all my cutting or painting, I have a design wall and lots of storage cupboards, although I sure could use more. The other room is where I do all my computer work, printing and Thermofax screen making. I also have a desk for sitting at to draw or paint small items. 

4. What's your signature style? How long did it take you to find your style when you first started making art quilts?  My current favorite style is a mixed media technique with layers of transparent pattern and color. The quilts in this style are whole cloth and all the color comes from textile paints and marking tools. I would guess that I started a version of this technique about 6 or 7 years into my art quilting journey.

 

5. Are there artistic endeavors you are yet to do?  Yes, I think so.

 

6. Do you keep a sketchbook and/or journal?  Yes, I use a sketchbook to draw out ideas or just doodle in to discover new ideas.

 

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 authored and co-authored some books, I have some videos on Vimeo.com, and I belong to the Twelve by Twelve International Art Quilt Challenge (http://www.twelveby12.org/).

 

8. Do you teach? I teach in my local region and this year I'll be teaching at our biannual quilt show in Bismarck, North Dakota. The quilt guild I belong to (Capital Quilters) puts the show on every other year and this year it will be November 4-6, 2016. 

 

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?  At the time of answering this question, I only have my quilt, Purrfectly Patterned, appearing in the Dinner @ Eight Patterns exhibit in Houston.

 

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