My fabric compositions used improvisational piecing of hand dyed fabric with intentional machine quilting to create bold, abstract designs with strong figure ground components. They are inspired by the lines and shapes that I observe in nature, architecture and ethnic designs: a source of stimulation in my graphic designs. Compositions begin with a general idea and form combined with a color palette. Cloth is hand dyed using three primary hues, mixed in various proportions to create colors ranging from subtle neutrals to vibrant hues. I chose to work with solid fabric because there are a large range of hues that can be created with hand dyed fabric. Line and shape are integral components of the design process. Individual pieces are freely cut without a ruler, using a razor-sharp tool as a drawing device. Once individual pieces are sewn together, they provide an opportunity to add design lines to the composition through the pieced seam line.
I use line and shape to create movement and tension in my compositions. Proportions are critical. Variation in the proportions of the size of the lines and shapes allows me to create a unique visual outcome.
the final process is to add the quilting lines. I consider these lines as drawing lines: they are a further opportunity to add an important design component to my work. I use quilting lines to emphasize both the shape and line of the design and to increase the tension and movement within the composition.
I use line and shape to create movement and tension in my compositions. Proportions are critical. Variation in the proportions of the size of the lines and shapes allows me to create a unique visual outcome.
the final process is to add the quilting lines. I consider these lines as drawing lines: they are a further opportunity to add an important design component to my work. I use quilting lines to emphasize both the shape and line of the design and to increase the tension and movement within the composition.
Selected Exhibitions
2019
Quilt National 2019, Dairy Barn, Athens, Ohio
Inner Strength. Solo Exhibition. Visions Art Museum, San Diego, CA
SAQA Global Exhibition: Metamorphosis
Quilt Festival Chicago. March 28-30, 2019
Quilt Canada: Ottowa, Ontario, Canada. June 12-15, 2019
AQS Quiltweek: Grand rapids, MI. August 21-24, 2019
AQS Quiltweek Fall: Paducah, KY. September 11-14, 2019
AQS Quiltweek: Charlston, SC. September 25-27, 2019
Explorations II: Inside the Quilt Artist's Studio, New England Quilt Museum, Lowell, MA
Circular Abstractions, the Westmoreland Museum of American Art, Greensburg, PA
Member's Exhibit, Concord Art, Concord, MA
Stepping Inside the Outside, Bristol Art Museum, Bristol, RI
Migration, Umbrella Community Arts Center, Concord, MA
2018
Craft Forms, Wayne Art Center, Wayne, PA
Quilt Visions: Connections, Visions Art Museum, San Diego, CA
Quilt=Art=Quilt, Schweinfurth Art Center, Auburn, NY
Stitched Conncections, Beebe Estate, Melrose, MA
Attleboro Arts Museum Member Exhibit, Attleboro, MA
19th Annual Frances A. Roddy Exhibit. Concord Art, Concord, MA
Interplay; Fiber and Art Quilts, Whistler Museum of Art, Lowell, MA
Stepping Inside the Outside, SAQA Regional Exhibit, Highfield Hall, Falmouth, MA
SAQA Global Exhibitions: Metamorphosis, Quilt Festival, Houston
Form Not Function, Carnegie Center for Art and History, New Albany, Indiana Award of Excellence
Artist as Quiltmaker 2018, Firelands Association for the Visual Arts, Oberlin, Ohio Award of Excellence
Art Quilt Elements 2018, Wayne Art Center, Wayne, PA
A Room With a View: Solo Exhibit, Gallery Blink, Lexington, MA
2017
Craft Forms 2017, Wayne Art Center, Wayne, PA
Solo Exhibit: Line and Shape, Hammond Hall Art Gallery, Fitchburg State University, Fitchburg, MA
Members Exhibit, Attleboro Arts Center, Attleboro, MA. Structure #3 received a juror's award
Art Quilts XXII: As Near To the Edge As I Can Go, Vision Gallery, Chandler, AZ
Interpretations Conversations, Visions Art Museum, San Diego, CA
Quilt=Art=Quilt 2017, Schweinfurth Memorial Art Center, Aubuarn, NY
18th Annual Frances N. Roddy Exhibit, Concord Art, Concord, MA
Summer Selective 2017, NewTV< Newton, MA
Contemporary Art Quilts 2017, Whistler House Museum of Art, Lowell, MA
35th Annual New Legacies: Contemporary Art Quilts, Lincoln Center, Fort Collins, CO
Line, Attleboro Arts Museum, Attleboro, MA Shifting Thoughts recieved a juror's award
Quilt National 2017, Athens, Ohio
Circular Abstractions, Schweinfurth Memorial Art Center, Auburn, NY
Circular Abstractions, Fuller Craft Museum, Brockton, MA
Circular Abstractions, Decorative Arts Center, Lancaster, Ohio
Bouncing Off the Wall, NewTV, Newton, MA
Color, Line and Shape in Fiber, Two artist exhibit, Newton Public Library, Newton, MA
Member's Juried 2, Concord Art, Concord, MA
Three Stones Gallery, West Concord, MA
Then and Now Exhibit, Attleboro Arts Museum, Attleboro, MA
2016
Brush Art Gallery Members Exhibit, Brush Art Gallery, Lowell, MA
Breakout: Quilt Visions 2017, Visions Art Gallery, San Diego, CA Wood Grain # 1 received the Director's Award
Quilt=Art=Quilt, Schweinfurth Memorial Art Center, Auburn, NY
17th Annual Frances N Roddy Open Competition, Concord Art, Concord, MA
29th North National Art Competition, Nicolet College, Rhinelander, WI. Cave Murmur # 2 received the Dori Brown Award
Circular Abstractions, Muskegon Museum of Art, Muskegon, MI
Lasting Impressions Art Quilts 2016, Whistler Art Museum, Lowell, MA
Currents: SAQA Regional Exhibit, Brush Art Gallery, Lowell, MA
Fiber Options: Material Explorations 2016, Maryland Federation of Art, Annapolis, MD
34th Annual New Legacies Contemporary Quilt Exhibit, Lincoln Center, Fort Collins, CO. Interplay # 6 received and Honorable Mention.
Form Not Function 2016, Carnegie Center for Art and History, New Albany, IN
Artist as Quiltmaker XVII, Oberland, Ohio
Art Quilt Elements, Wayne Art Center, Wayne, PA
Art as Quilt, Highfield Hall, Falmouth, MA
Extraordinary Insights: Art as Quilt, Eastern Shore Art Center, Fairhope, Alabama
Attleboro Members Exhibit, Attleboro Arts Museum, Attleboro, MA. Interplay # 5 received Best Abstract Award.
New England Biolabs. Ipswich, MA
Quilt=Art=Quilt, Schweinfurth Memorial Art Center, Auburn, MA. Wood Grain # 1 received Second Place
Art Quilts XX: Journeys and Life Cycles, Chandler Center for the Arts, Chandler, AZ. Crevice # 3 received First Place. Crevices # 5 received a Purchase Awards.
2015
Attleboro Arts Museum Members Exhibit, Attleboro, MA. Abstract Award for Interplay # 5
New England Biolabs, Ipswich, MA
Quilt=Art=Quilt. Schweinfurth Memorial Art Center, Auburn, NY Second Place Award for Wood Grain # 1
Art Quilts XX: Journeys and Life Cycles, Chandler Center for the Arts, Chandler, AZ. First Place Award for Crevices # 5.
Art as Quilt, Fuller Craft Museum, Brockton, MA
16th Annual Francis N. Roddy Exhibit, Concord Art Association, Concord, MA
Out of the Blue, Whistler House Museum of Art, Lowell, MA
33rd Annual New Legacies: Contemporary Art Quilts, Lincoln Center, Fort Collins, Colorado
Explorations in Light and Line, Two artist exhibit, Bedford Public Library, Bedford, MA
Shape and Color, Group Exhibit, Gleason Library, Carlisle, MA
Artifact Exhibit, ArtSpace Gallery. Maynard, MA
Members Juried II, Concord Art Association, Concord, MA
Small Quilts Show, Gallery 65 on William, New Bedford, MA
Solo Exhibit: Visual Expressions in Cloth, ArtSpace Gallery, Maynard, MA
Materials Hard and Soft, Denton, Texas
2014
Attleboro Arts Museum Member's Exhibit, Attleboro, MA. Juror's Award for Solitary Figure #1
Quilt Visions 2014: The Sky's the Limit, Visions Art Museum, San Diego, CA
Quilt=Art=Quilt, Schweinfurth Memorial Art Center, Auburn, NY
Quilts: Pushing at the Seams, Highfield Hall, Falmouth, MA
Group Exhibit: 8 Visions 2014, Attleboro Arts Museum
See the Light, Attleboro Arts Museum, Attleboro, MA
Fitchburg Art Museum 79th Regional Exhibit, Fitchburg, MA
32nd Annual New Legacies Contemporary Art Quilts Exhibition, The Lincoln Center, Fort Collins, CO
Group Exhibit: Fiber and Photos. Concord Art Association, Concord, MA
Artist as Quiltmaker XVI, Firelands Association for the Visual Art, Oberlin, Ohio
Group Exhibit: Three Voices in Fiber, Newton Public Library, Newton, MA
Solo Exhibit: Visual Experiences:Contemporary Fiber Art, Concord Public Library, Concord, MA
Materials Hard and Soft, Greater Denton Arts Council, Denton, TX
2013
12 x 12 Exhibit, Bromfield Gallery, Boston, MA.
2013 Members Exhibit, Attleboro Arts Museum, Attleboro, MA. Abstract Award for Crevices #9
Brush/NESA Member Show, Lowell, MA.
Artworks Holiday Exhibit, New Bedford, MA.
Member's Holiday Show, Concord Art Association, Concord, MA.
Quilt=Art=Quilt, Schweinfurth Memorial Art Center, Auburn, NY
Lines into Shapes Online Gallery, Art Center & Gallery of Estes Park, Estes Park, CO
ARTrageous:Art Quilts XVIII, Chandler Center for the Arts, Chandler, AZ
14th Annual Frances N. Roddy Competition, Concord Art Association, Concord, MA
Northern National Art Competition, Nicolet College Art Gallery, Rhinelander, Wisconsin
Vessels: All the Eyes Can Hold, Kennedy Heights Art Center, Cincinnati, Ohio]
Brush Art Gallery, Tangled Up in Blue, Lowell, MA
Whistler House Museum, What's My Line, Lowell, MA
Artworks, Nor'easter, New Bedford, MA
Attleboro Arts Museum, What Goes Around, Attleboro, MA
31st Annual Legacies: Contemporary Art Quilts. Fort Collins, Colorado
Materials Hard and Soft 2013, Greater Denton Arts Councul, Denton, TX
45th Juried National Clay, Fiber, paper, Glass, Metal, Wood Exhibit, Octagon Center for the Arts, Ames, IA
Concord Art Association Members Exhibit, Concord, MA. Juror's Award for City Walk # 2
Touch Art Gallery, Cambridge, MA
2012
Lines into Shapes 2012, Art Center of Estes park Gallery, Estes Park, CO
Art Quilts XVII: Integrating a Paradox, Chandler Center for the Arts Gallery, Chandler, AZ
Albright Gallery, Concord, MA
Fuller Craft Museum Members Show, Brockton, MA
Quilt Visions: Brainstorms. Visions Gallery, San Diego, CA
Tactile Architecture. International Quilt Festival, Houston, TX
Evolutions. Rocky Mountain Quilt Museum, Golden, CO
Art Quilts. Whistler House Museum of Art, Lowell, MA
Material Voices. Ayer loft Gallery, Lowell, MA
Pushing the Limits. Artspace, Richmond, VA
Fantastic Fibers. Yeiser Art Center, Paducah, KY
Form Not Function. Carnegie Center for Art and History, New Albany, IN
Materials Hard and Soft. Greater Denton Arts Council, Center for the Visual Arts, Denton, TX
Deep Spaces. Sam Houston Memorial Museum, TX;LaConner Quilt and Textile Museum, WA
All That Jazz Improvisational Quilts. Road to California, Ontario, CA
2011
Focus on Color. Fredericksburg Center for the Creative Arts, Fredericksburg, VA
Deep Spaces, Latimer Quilt and Textile Center, Tillamook, OR
Art Quilts Lowell. Brush Gallery, Lowell, MA
Art Quilts at the Whistler. Whistler House Museum of Art, Lowell, MA
Structures in Cloth (SAQA Exhibit). Arvada Center for the Arts and Humanities, Denver, CO; Sangre de Cristo Arts Center, Pueblo, CO
Art Quilt Experience. Stone Hill Quarry Art Park, Cazenovia, NY
Volusia Wrapped in Fiber (SAQA Exhibit). Gateway Center for the Arts, DeBary, FL
No Holds Barred (SAQA Exhibit). NEQM, Lowell, MA
2010
Art Quilts Lowell. Brush Art Gallery, Lowell, MA
Form Not Function. Carnegie Center for Art and History, New Albany, IN
2009
Quilt=Art=Quilt. Schweinfurth Museum of Art, Auburn, MA
Quiltscapes. Whistler House Museum of Art, Lowell, MA
Professional Memberships:
Studio Art Quilt Association www.saqa.com
Concord Art Association www.concordart.org
Brush Art Gallery www.thebrush.org
Attleboro Arts Museum http://attleboroartsmuseum.org
Visions Art Museum www.visionsartmuseum.org
All images by Joe Ofria http://www.joeofriaphotography.com
