Took a class with Deborah Fell from Monday to Friday last week at Quilt & Surface Design Symposium (QSDS) at the Columbus College of Art and Design. It was divine. A return to a community of artists who get off on fabric, who are passionate about purposeful creativity, generous in sharing what they know and what they have in their stash.
Deborah calls this 5-day class “Three Sisters”–Raw edge applique, foundation piecing (which isn’t piecing at all, it’s collage on a foundation fabric), and mark-making, i.e., slow, hand-stitching or quilting. My goals were to get away from the large opus magna I’ve been laboring over, and free myself up with a less is more approach. I also sought freedom from high concept, but aspired to put ambiguity into my work, so viewers might enjoy interpreting my work as they wish.
Above was my board by the end of the day Monday. Below, that’s me showing my work on Friday…as you may be able to tell, I had worked on each “textile sketch” with varying degrees of success.
No matter. I stretched, I grew, I stayed up late working in the classroom, I met my goals…some of the time, at least. Oh, and I had so much fun, with the best broads, who gave me support, interesting scraps, the loan of key tools, and unbelievably rewarding friendship, sharing their life and art stories.
Here are some of the pearls of wisdom Deborah Fell dispensed:
Embrace imperfiction.
I can quilt 10 stitches to the inch, but I don’t want to.
I was normal once. I didn’t like it.
Doubt is part of the creative process.
Think outside the block.
Plus, favorite quotes she included:
Learn the rules like a pro, so you can break them like an artist.–Pablo Picasso
Textiles have been a form of art, communication, survival, seduction, spirituality, expression, and community throughout history for all humankind on Planet Earth. — Elaine Lipson
Now for some close-ups of my work. Each one is still in process, and most vary from 15″-20″ on the longest side:
Hope to complete them all this summer, in among more pressing demands. Criticism always welcome!