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.

Not long thereafter, I discovered how to transform yardage with dyeing, painting, stamping and other Surface Design processes. Teaching followed closely behind as it was a pleasure to pass on what others had so generously shared with me. Integrating these methods has led me to my most recent work, in which the quilt surface is assembled in layers, with pieces of hand dyed and printed fabrics forming the base on which intricately cut silhouettes are overlaid. Combining principles of composition, design, and collage with Art Cloth and Quiltmaking is the best of both worlds.



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Creating the illusion of three dimensions on a two dimensional surface is a continually captivating challenge. My goal as an artist is to create a compelling surface that invites the viewer to react, take a closer look and to strive to bring beauty or awareness into the world.


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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.



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EXHIBITIONS

2009
Denver National Quilt Show, Denver, CO

2008
PAQA Water challenge, Rocky Mountain Quilt Museum, Golden, CO
Naked, Sixth Street Gallery, Vancouver, WA
Threadlines, Missouri State University Art & Design Gallery, Springfield, MO
A Tear in the Fabric, Cal Poly State University Art Gallery, San Louis Obispo, CA
Art Quilt Elements, Wayne Art Center, Wayne, PA
Form Not Function: Quilt Art at the Carnegie, New Albany, IN
Layers of Color: Art Quilts and Art Cloth, Old Town Triangle Art Gallery, Chicago, IL

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



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Art Cloth Network
ArtCloth Studios
Ann Johnston
David Walker
Professional Art Quilters Alliance
North Suburban Needle Arts Guild
Surface Design Association
Illinois Quilters, Inc.


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