Galería Octágono

www.GaleriaOctagono.com

I am a textile creator who believes in the power of community involvement.  My gallery (www.galeriaoctagono.com) is a community-based collective atop the northern mountains in Costa Rica, where I work with seven women and their families.  I provide materials, design, and educational opportunities as well as an equitable distribution of proceeds.  All our work is handmade, free-style, and original.  My husband, Rich, and I enjoy practicing alternative tourism as a B&B, and our log cabin is available to travelers wishing a personalized experience in Costa Rica.

Artist's statement:  There is no limit to the versatility of textiles. Learning and experimentation allow me to be aware and keep myself open to change. To be creative I must lose fear of being wrong. To be correct I must make sure that my art has social projection.

-Silvia Piza-Tandlich

Location:  San Rafael de Heredia, Costa Rica

Online shop:  galeria octagono

Blogs:

   metamorfosishabitat
   sdalatin
Social media:  LinkedIn

Memberships:

   SDA (Surface Design Association)   

   (WCCR) Women’s Club of Costa Rica    
   Costa Rica Green Pages 

Languages spoken:  Spanish, English   

Quilt with Argentine theme, by Silvia Piza-Tandlich, 2010, Costa Rica

"Tuki" quilt, by Silvia Piza-Tandlich, 2009, Costa Rica

Christine Marie Ford

"Inner Light" by Christine Marie Ford

www.christinemarieford.com

Hi! I'm Christine and I'm a resident artist at Williams Mill Visual Arts Centre in Glen Williams, Ontario (near Toronto). I'm now in my 7th year there as a professional fabric artist and my work has evolved dramatically over time. I often create my fine art pieces improvisationally, however I still enjoy traditional quilting from time to time.

I'm addicted to shiny things so I create a lot of beaded jewelry as well, often incorporating fabric and fiber whenever possible. My latest addiction is bookbinding. I create a lot of leather bound, hand stitched journals these days. I also like to create fabric art journals in my trademark style of fabric collage as well.

Prior to being a visual artist, I worked for over 20 years as an actress and singer, working extensively in theatre, TV and film. I still enjoy performing onstage from time to time and sing regularly in an acoustic band called "Random Roads". 

I think my performance background has influenced my artwork which tends to be bold, colorful and dramatic. 

My work can be found in the shops below and at The Silo Weavers,  St. Jacob's Ontario.

Artist's statement:  

To strive for high quality workmanship while continuously spreading my wings artistically and technically.

To elevate the status of art quilts to that of any other artistic medium ie. oil paintings.

To provide my clients with "red carpet" treatment and to guarantee my work.

To be guided by my principles and not my necessities.

Location:  Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Online shops:

   christinemarieford on Etsy
   ChristineMarieFord on 100milefinds

Brick and Mortar:

   Christine Marie Ford Fabric Art Studio
   Williams Mill Visual Arts Centre
   515 Main Street
   Glen Williams, ON
   L7G 3S9

   Open to the public Friday-Sunday 12pm-5pm

Blogs:

   christinemarieford
   williamsmill
Memberships:
   Ontario Craft Council
   Mississauga Arts Council
Languages spoken:  English 

"Young Phoenix"  Art Quilt by Christine Marie Ford

Tags:   art, fine art, fabric art, wallhanging, art quilt, fabric vessel, fiber jewelry, bookbinding, collage, original collage, abstract, modern, dramatic

Sally Manke Fiber Artist

http://www.etsy.com/shop/SallyManke

Despite my high energy level, there is never enough time to create all the ideas bouncing around in my head!

Fiber and creativity have been a part of my life since a very young age. I created a pattern from newspaper then sewed my first garment on a Singer Featherweight at around the age of eight. An undergraduate degree in home economics and a master in art lead to a twenty-five year career teaching art and life skills (current idiom for home economics).

Although, I enjoy crafting traditional quilts, dolls and holiday items, my passion is fiber art. A perfect day is one spent in my home studio with fabric spread far and wide creating confetti art. Confetti quilts bring together color and texture with the skill and methods of stitching layers of fabric. Each confetti quilt has thousands and thousands of tiny bits of batik fabric “painted” on quilt batting and backing. Inspiration comes another pastime; hiking trails and beaches here in Michigan or on far flung family vacations.

My confetti quilts have been in several juried local quilt shows here in northwest Michigan and Wisconsin. Additionally, my quilts have been selected for display at the International Quilt Festival in Chicago, Long Beach and Houston. I teach at quilt shops and quilt guilds.

Artist's statement:  My mission it to delight others with textile art that allow for my joyful, creative expression with color and texture.

Location:  Arcadia, Michigan, USA

Online shop:  SallyManke

Memberships:

   International Quilt Association
   American Quilter’s Society
   Quiltsy Team on Etsy

Languages spoken:  English 

"Autumn Trees", Art Quilt by Sally Manke

Tags:  fiber art, art quilt. textile art, confetti quilt technique, machine quilting, wearable art, landscape artist, fine art, color, texture

MarketPlace: Handwork of India

www.marketplaceindia.com

MarketPlace: Handwork of India is a nonprofit organization dedicated to increasing economic opportunities for women artisans in India, and empowering them to bring about changes in their lives, the lives of their families, and their communities.

Our clothes are rooted in a long tradition of artisan work, rather than based on fleeting trends. Reflecting classic styling, our designs are fresh and versatile.

“Leadership By Design” sums up our strategy. Planning and controlling every aspect of production has given women basis skills that they use in planning other aspects of their lives and taking initiatives in community actions, their children’s schools, and changing relationships between them and their husbands and children, especially their daughters.

Women are involved in design workshops, executing plans for production, the entire quality control, and managing the transfer of skills. MarketPlace is currently working with 14 cooperatives, representing over 480 artisans, most of who are women. The clothing and textile products made by these groups are marketed in the U.S. through an attractive catalog, website and a number of specialty and clothing stores. Sales in the U.S. in 2008 was almost $1 million.

Location: Evanston, Illinois, USA
Online shop: marketplaceindia
Blog: marketplacehandworkofindia
Memberships: MarketPlace is well recognized in the Fair Trade Movement and was one of the founding members of the Fair Trade Federation and is a member of the World Fair Trade Organization.
Social Media: Twitter, YouTube
Languages spoken: English

Reversible jackets by MarketPlace: Handwork of India

Tags: fair trade, veggie dyes, embroidered clothing, cotton clothing, Indian clothing, economic development, Mumbai, SHARE

Victoria Gertenbach

http://thesillyboodilly.blogspot.com/

Even though I have spent most of my life living in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, I still find myself looking at the surrounding countryside as if it were the first time that I ever laid eyes on it. I am continuously inspired by the deep beauty of the farmland. I am struck by the grace of the aged lines and odd shapes found in the old, worn and weathered barns that magically still stand. I am in awe as I watch farmers slowly hand-plow their fields with a team of mules, just as it was done centuries ago.

At the same time, I am grateful for the ingenuity of technology, with which makes my life and work easier.

Living in this place, where the past and the present meet everyday, has had a profound influence on my work. I hold the awareness of both worlds close to me, and am always looking for ways to honor and marry the two through my stitched, patched and quilted works.

Artist's Statement:  Using simple materials, I strive to create beautiful and well constructed stitched pieces in order to pay tribute to the past and the present, and to express emotions that I otherwise would be unable to express.

It is my sincere hope that when others view my work, they feel something... a connection of some sort, a bit of comfort, a memory of something almost forgotten, a knowing that they are not alone.

Location:  Lancaster, Pennsylvania, USA

Online shop:  Silly Boodilly
Other social media:  Twitter

Blogs:  thesillyboodilly, wornandweathered

Languages spoken:  English

Quilted Works by Victoria Gertenbach

Tags: Art Quilt, Textile, Stitched, Patchwork, Patched, Improvised Quilting, Modern Quilt, Boro, Work Quilts, Lancaster County

Caryl Bryer Fallert / Bryerpatch Studio

www.bryerpatch.com

Caryl Bryer Fallert sewing with "George"

Fine artist, quilt maker, teacher, lecturer, gallery owner, writer, business person, these are the hats I am wearing at the moment (in the order in which I like wearing them). For 23 years I traveled to eleven countries on five continents to teach quilting art and lecture about my work. In 1997 I started the Bryerpatch Studio Internet Store, where I sell the fabrics I design from Benartex, and the patterns, instructions, and workshops on CD-ROM which I publish.

In 2005 I left the Fox Valley of Illinois, where I had lived my whole life, and started a new life in Paducah Kentucky's award-winning, historic LowerTown Arts District where most of my neighbors are also artists. I built a new studio, gallery and workshop center, where I continue teaching without having to take my whole show on the road. I love being part of a real community with lots of cultural activities avaliable within walking distance. You can visit my gallery and shop online at www.bryerpatch.com.

Artist's statement:  I make original, fine art for the walls of homes and businesses, from fabric that is stitched together and quilted. Most of my work is made from 100% cotton fabric, which is dyed and painted, then pieced, appliquéd, embroidered, and quilted on my sewing machine.
The focus of my work is on the qualities of color, line, and texture, which will engage the spirit and emotions of the viewer, evoking a sense of mystery, excitement, or joy.  Illusions of movement, depth, and luminosity are common to most of my work. The inner glow is created by hand dyeing or painting my fabrics in gradual progressions from light to dark.

Both my geometric color studies, and my more organic, curved seam abstracts are inspired by visual impressions, collected in my travels, in my everyday life, and in my imagination. Although some of my quilts include pictorial images, my work is most often about seeing, experiencing, and imagining, rather than pictorial representation of any specific object or species. When recognizable objects appear, they represent the emotions and flights of fantasy evoked by those objects. My intention is to focus on positive energy and depict that in my work.

I intend for my quilts to be seen and enjoyed by others. It is my hope that they will lift the spirits and delight the eyes of those who see them. I am constantly learning and my work evolves as I find new images in my imagination and develop the techniques to create them in cloth. As a teacher I believe that the magic of art lies in our heads and in our hearts. I love sharing my techniques with others so they can share their magic with me.

You can see my quilts in my online gallery.

Feather Study #30 by Caryl Bryer Fallert

Location:  Paducah, Kentucky, USA

Online shop:  bryerpatch.com

Brick and Mortar:

   Bryerpatch Studio
   502 N. 5th St. • Paducah KY
   Map and directions

Memberships:

   National Quilt Museum, Board of Directors
   Paducah Fiber Artists
   Friends of Fiber Art International

Languages spoken:  English

Tags:  quilt art, textile art, hand dyed, gradations, luminous, award winning, uplifting, eye dazzling, colorful

CindyRQuilts

 www.cindyrquilts.com

My name is Cindy Richard. I am a mother of three, a wife and a passionate quilter.   I grew up in NY and have a degree in English literature. Right after college, I worked as a production supervisor in publishing, doing color correcting on press. That's where I learned about color.

Nearly twenty years ago I followed my heart and together with my family moved to Israel. I was working as a technical writer until a year ago when the company closed.

I saw the end of my job as an opportunity to follow my passion for quilting and pursue it as a full-time career. I have been quilting for more than 15 years.  I teach quilting classes locally, which I find very fulfilling. I attend classes offered by other quilters and network with other crafters and people involved in small businesses.

I find the more I share, the more I learn. I look forward to being part of TAFA and exchanging ideas. Feel free to contact me and visit my website! 

Artist's statement:  My art is a combination of functionality and beauty. Being surrounded by beauty raises people's spirits and outlook. I try to create harmony utilizing vibrant colors and fabric, resulting in usable full-size quilts as well as wall hangings. In time, each piece composed of fine and soft cottons acquires an heirloom, antique look.

My quilting interests have changed over the last 15 years. I have always gravitated toward less traditional techniques, using muted colors, varying tones and three-dimensional perspective to achieve an impressionistic quality. I love the idea that I can use fabric to paint a scene with depth. I feel I can cross into the mountains I piece and bask in the sunlight.

I am especially drawn to scenes from places that have touched my life and journeys I have made. These are often reflected in my work, making each piece unique. I strive towards high quality and hope my art adds warmth and serenity in every home it is shown.

Location:  Beit Shemesh, Israel

Online shops:  cindyrquilts on Etsy
Blog:  cindyrquilts

Memberships:

  Internet Jewish Quilters
  Israel Quilters Association
Languages spoken:  English, Hebrew 

Quilts and Accessories by CindyRQuilts

Tags:  quilt, landscape, scene, fiber, art, dimension, depth, color, thread paint

LUKE Haynes

www.LUKEHaynes.com

I am a quilter working to push fabric and textile art into the forefront of fine arts consciousness. I have shows across the country and make commission quilts for families and businesses and museums the world over. I am wanting to work with stores and quilters and exhibition spaces to promote Quilting and blow the roof off the industry. I am living in Seattle and working all over the country. I have shows coming up and coming down all the time. I want to do more. Lets talk Quilts.

Artist's statement: My background in architecture led to an interest in the idea that form followed function, and quilts have both form and function implicit in their historical past and utilitarian design.

I have been experimenting with the ways that fabric can be used to create images while still maintaining its foundation of use and function.

I construct works by piecing together colors, images and textures with the intention of a final product that has implicit process as well as contextual imagery. A quilt is the product of a tactile and additive process. An internal layer of batting retains heat; quilted stitches maintain its structure through use and wear; patterns of thread and fabric reference a long tradition of craft and construction. I use these notations of an existing process to ground my work in a traditional practice.

Working in series, my quilts engage the binary views of intensely layered issues within American culture, exploring figural images referencing gender roles, nostalgia and iconography through the constructed quilted fields. I am inspired by the dialogue between audience and artist.

The imagery for my work often comes from the communities they are shown in, ideas from my experience or questionnaires I create to inquire after a specific response to a query. These subjects act as a means of reflecting the dueling public and private nature of nostalgia, utility, or notions of comfort. My current work engages ideas of green practice and sustainability by working with used clothes and donated materials as my palette.

My goal is to engage the seams between art and craft, form and function, space and materiality, while advancing the art of quilt making in contemporary culture.

Location: Seattle, Washington, USA

Blog: lukehaynes

Memberships:

Alliance for American Quilts [.org]
BurdaStyle [.com]
MrXstitch[.com]

Languages spoken: English

"On My Bed #3" Self Portrait Quilt by LUKE Haynes

Tags: Quilts, Recycle, textile, art, sew, exhibition, museum, famous, gallery, lecture

Goose Tracks Quilts

http://www.goosetracks.com

I made my first quilt in the early 1980's - a simple traditional design using fabric squares individually cut from templates, hand pieced and hand quilted. In 1992 I started my business, Goose Tracks Quilts, making traditional quilts and quilted accessories. 

In 1999 I created my website and my business evolved into making primarily custom memory and memorial quilts.  Over the years, I've made quilts for people all over the United States and around the world. 

Artist's Statement:  While I enjoy working with people to create custom one of a kind quilts, I have an increasing interest in learning the design elements and construction techniques that go into making art quilts.  I look forward to developing my skills and creating my own designs in fiber art.

Location:  Broadalbin, New York, USA

Online shops:  

   goosetracks
   goosetracks on etsy

Other social media:  Twitter

Languages spoken:  English

 Memory Quilts by Goose Tracks Quilts

T-shirt Quilts

Tags:  memory quilts, wall, baby and lap quilts, New York, custom design, consignment, made to order

Peppermint Pinwheels

www.peppermintpinwheels.com

My name is Stacey Sharman, and I sew. Always. Everyday. Okay, sometimes I take a break, but probably not often enough.  I started Peppermint Pinwheels in 2009 so that I can create playful, colorful, whimsical and fully functional quilts and home accessories whenever I desire!

Artist's Statement:  Peppermint Pinwheels handcrafted quilts and home accessories have a modern, traditional style. By incorporating traditional techniques with modern ones and vintage fabrics with new, I create pieces that are both beautiful, functional, and absolutely unique.

As a quilt maker, I find the most satisfying thing is to create something that will be coveted, cuddled, and remembered for lifetimes from random bits of cloth.

Location:  Berkeley, California, USA

Online Shop:  peppermintpinwheels
Blog:  On The Design Wall

Social Media:  Twitter

Memberships:

   East Bay Modern Quilt Guild - founding member 

Languages spoken: English

 "Green Bars", Quilt by Peppermint Pinwheels

Tags: handmade, quilt, patchwork, modern, colorful, heirloom, upcycle, bedding, home decor, housewares, silk

Monika Kinner-Whalen / My Sweet Prairie

http://www.soopsee.com/profile/MySweetPrairie/

My name is Monika Kinner-Whalen.  I am a quilt maker and fibre artist living in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada.  Much of my art is inspired by the prairies and my world around me.  I am an avid photographer and I often incorporate my photos into my work.  Much of my fibre art is smaller scale with much color, embellishment, and fine detail.  My quilts are all original and made from beginning to end by me.  I have some things for sale, but I do love commissioned work.  You can read about this process  through my Etsy Alchemy page.  My business name is "My Sweet Prairie".  As I delved into fibre art, integrating my photos with my quilting skills, I would try to think up names for each piece.  "My Sweet Prairie" fit everything I created.  And so that name fit perfectly for my business.

My quilts can be seen on display at McNally Robinson's Booksellers, as well as at The Centre Galleries on occasion (both in Saskatoon, SK).

Artist's Statement:  As a sewist and an avid photographer, Fibre Arts is the perfect marriage for me to express my love of the Canadian Prairies.  As I began to see my own artistic identity emerge in my work, I decided to moved forward through the use of Etsy, Blogging, joining rings, and becoming a member of quilt and craft guilds.   My mission is to continue creating, learning, and exploring mixed media and fibre art.  I work to expand my art and stay current with trends and techniques while maintaining a public presence for others to enjoy my work.


Location:  Saskaton, Saskatchewan, Canada
Online shop: MySweetPrairie
Blog: MySweetPrairie 
Memberships:
   Saskatoon Quilters' Guild
   Saskatchewan Craft Council
Languages spoken:  English

Spring on the Prairie, 2010  (4"x6") by Monika Kinner-Whalen

Tags:  landscapes, embellished, machine-stitched, handstitching, quilted, thread, yarns, postcard, prairies, quilts