For as long as I can remember, I have loved fabric, texture and creating things. I was immediately hooked after learning to sew on a machine in fifth grade. Many years, craft projects and mediocre garments later, quilting became the perfect outlet for combining my penchant for textiles with sewing and art making.

All kinds of things filled my life between learning to sew and learning to quilt. These included earning a B.S. in Geography, traveling and working overseas, a sales and marketing career in the travel business, marrying and starting a family. Life was full when quilting came along and gave me things that I hadn’t even known I’d needed. Sewing patchwork kept me happy, sane and connected as a new mom and felt like coming home to myself.

If Quilting was a homecoming, then dyeing, stamping and painting cloth was Nirvana. Transforming yardage via Surface Design into Art Cloth was incredibly satisfying and fun! Teaching followed as a natural extension of my learning since I found myself brimming with enthusiasm about these seemingly magical processes. Using various properties of design and composition to create compelling cloth or quilt surfaces makes my heart sing. 
My artwork is often a response to my environment, life stories and experiences, resulting in a varied collection of Quilts and Art Cloth. Frequently, the Art Cloth itself is complete; interesting and engaging enough to stand on its own. In my most recent work, a quilt surface is assembled with pieces of hand dyed and printed fabrics to form the base for a collage method using silks and sheers. For now, it combines the best of both worlds.

Creating the illusion of three dimensions on a two dimensional surface is continually captivating challenge. The joy of discovery, mark making and communication inherent in these processes never seems to diminish, nor do the opportunities for personal growth through the artistic process. Surface Design and Quilting allow me to express my creative voice, informed by all that from which a life is made. As artists we interpret, reflect and are witness to the world around us. My goal is to create a compelling surface that invites the viewer to react, take a closer look and to bring beauty and
awareness into the world.
Learning to sew way back when made a remarkable difference in my life. With this in mind, several years ago I began teaching sewing and crafts in different local settings. My friend and fellow quilter Lonna and I now work with a local middle school where Home Ec is taught, and we host an after school Sewing Club. Once a week for the better part of the school year, we stitch, talk, and listen with 6th, 7th, and 8th graders who join us for some quality sewing time. Special thanks to Bernina, USA, for the two donated sewing machines that allow the students to machine quilt. (We can always find homes for sewing machines in good working order!) Here are some photos of our students and their projects over the years.

EXHIBITIONS

2007
Optima Towers Gallery, Evanston , IL - Solo Show
Heartwood Center , Evanston , IL - Solo Show

2006
PAQA Water Exhibit – Multiple Venues
Resident Artists Exhibition, Noyes Cultural Art Center , Evanston , IL

2005
Winter to Spring, Northwest Cultural Council Rolling Meadows , IL
 “Stories in Cloth”, Solo Exhibit,  C.G. Jung Center , Evanston , IL

2004
Celebrating the Cycles of Life, Mendocino College Juried Exhibit, Ukiah , CA
 ArtCloth 2004: Committed to Cloth, Birmingham England
 Expressions in Textiles, New Haven , CT

2003
Art on Cloth, Tulsa , OK
PAQA Post Exhibit – Multiple Venues

2002
Art Cloth 2002, International Quilt Festival, Houston , TX
 “Stories in Cloth” North Shore Sr. Center Solo Exhibit, Northbrook , IL

2001
“Goddess Good”, Artcloth Studios - Solo Exhibit, San Antonio , Texas
 Special Exhibition: Artcloth, International Quilt Festival, Houston , TX
 PAQA Small Works, International Quilt Festival, Houston , TX

PUBLICATIONS

2007
Finding Your Own Visual Language, Dunnewold, Benn & Morgan

2003
Quilting Arts Magazine – Silk Screen Magic

PLEASE CONTACT MAGGIE BELOW FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE ARTWORK AND AVAILABILITY