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Art Quilts

Category: <span>Art Quilts</span>

Art quilts, at first a curiosity in both the quilt and art worlds, are now a contemporary genre of their own. They reflect the artmakers’ vision and creativity as much as paintings do.

Beginning with fabric or other fiber-based materials, quilt artists conceive abstract or representational art. Fiber is their palette. Piecing, appliqué, thread painting, collage and more all play a role. Fiber artists create landscapes, portraits, abstract art or address social justice issues – any image they can conceive.

Art quilters are also referred to as fiber artists or textile artists. They use a wide variety of materials to make a visual impact with their work. Works can include surface design with paints or dyes, raw edge appliqué and a variety of media.

They work with traditional quilting methods or works in an improvisational style. Most of all, they are lifting fiber arts as a visual arts medium.

Browse through the art quilts and quilters for your own inspiration, then make your own.

Applique Art Quilts

Flirting

Spotlight: Karol Kusmaul, Fiber Artist

Karol Kusmaul made her first quilt as a project with her class of third grade students for a school fair. Now she makes graphic art quilts - portraits, landscapes and...

All You Need is Love by Kathy McNeil

Spotlight: Kathy McNeil, Appliqué Quilt Artist

Meet award-winning appliqué quilt artist Kathy McNeil! She began her creative journey as a young child, then later discovered the possibilities of making pictures from fabric. Her most challenging piece...

Lush Summer

Spotlight: Lucy Levenson, Folk Art Designer

Her brave use of color when combining fabric, stitch and paint sets Lucy Levenson apart from the crowd. With intricate details, her fanciful work invites an up close and personal...

Abstract Art Quilts

Touch of Color by Sherri McCauley

Spotlight: Sherri Lipman McCauley, Fiber Artist

A paint flinger. Sherri Lipman McCauley's description of her process does more than hint at her improvisational style. Sherri's art cloth begins with plain white fabric that she transforms into...

Kibun Mood by David Owen Hastings

Spotlight: David Owen Hastings, Textile Artist

David Owen Hastings is a textile artist whose work appeals to those who love organic processes and the beauty of nature, color and texture. David combines his monotype-printed paper with...

American Album

Spotlight: Alexis Deise, Contemporary Quilter

As a contemporary quilter, Alexis Deise works in series to focus and dig deeper into ideas that are important to her, all while honoring the women who built an enduring...

Thread Painted Art Quilts

Compassion

Spotlight: Hollis Chatelain, Textile Artist

Inspired by her humanitarian work in Africa, Hollis Chatelain creates art quilts that raise awareness of the human condition in the third world. Back in the States, she wanted to...

Thread Painting Alice

Thread Painting

Thread painting is a type of free motion embroidery where the thread "paints" images your quilt top - the quilt top is your canvas and the thread is your paint. I...

The Long Goodbye by Lea McComas

Spotlight: Lea McComas, Thread Painter & Fiber Artist

As Lea McComas travels the world and immerses herself in rich and vibrant cultures, her art reflects the human experience. With fabric and thread, she captures moments that highlight the...

Landscape Art Quilts

Rocky Mountain Poison quilt

Spotlight: Luana Rubin, Artist and Creative Entrepreneur

How do you spot Luana Rubin? She's the one with a gazillion balls in the air! Painter, photographer, art quilter, color forecaster, philanthropist, world traveler and fabric industry entrepreneur, Luana's...

Slot Canyon by Vicki Conley

Spotlight: Vicki Conley, Potter and Art Quilter

As a scientist, Vicki Conley loved doing research. It was while "researching" for a new job that she took a pottery class and never looked back. But she kept looking...

Cactus quilt at sunset

Spotlight: Susie Monday, Fiber Artist and Teacher

Raised in a creative home, at the age of 9 with the gift of a "real" artist box, Susie Monday became an Artist-with-a-Capital-A. She believed it, and so it was...

Modern Art Quilts

Homage by Jacquie Gering

Spotlight: Jacquie Gering, Modern Art Quilter

Jacquie Gering begins each quilt with an idea, but lets inspiration lead throughout her process, sometimes taking the work on unexpected, but welcome, turns. Known for her use of clean,...

Meeting of the Geese

Spotlight: Sylvia Schaefer, Modern Quilter

Can art and science get along? Of course they can! With a Ph.D. in marine science, Sylvia Schaefer approaches quilting from a scientist's point of view, always asking, "What if?"...

Flow by Geraldine Warner

Spotlight: Geraldine Warner, Fiber Artist

Fiber artist Geraldine Warner had never quilted, but knew she wanted to somehow paint with fabric. Working mostly with silk, she immerses herself in every part of the creative process,...

More Art Quilts

Morning Maidens by Maggie Dillon

Spotlight: Maggie Dillon, Textile Portrait Artist

Maggie Dillon designs portraits inspired by the everyday life in the 1940's. The textile art pieces are created by cutting each piece of fabric by hand and layering them to…
Goldfinch My Garden II by Nanette Zeller

Spotlight: Nanette S. Zeller, Textile Artist

Nanette Zeller is a mixed media textile artist, inspired by nature. Selecting the right color of fabrics and embellishing with thread painting she creates realistic images. How did you get…
Several Points Were Made art quilt by Laurel Izard

Spotlight: Laurel Izard, Fiber Artist

Laurel Izard grew up in a family of artists and has created since an early age. However, she didn't define herself as a fiber artist until she had an idea…
Phoenix Rising by Roxane Lessa

Spotlight: Roxane Lessa, Fiber Artist

Roxane Lessa creates colorful quilts with movement inspired by her years as a dancer. She likes to show the beauty found in the world through her work, uplifting and bringing…
Murphy, a commissioned piece by Barbara Yates Beasley

Spotlight: Barbara Yates Beasley, Collage Artist

Barbara Yates Beasley went to a class for animal portraits and found her niche. She now does commission work for clients creating brightly colored animal fiber art pieces. Her favorite…
Terre Mere / Mother Earth textile art by Galla Grotto

Spotlight: Galla Grotto, Textile Artist

Galla Grotto discovered her innate ability to create art as an early teenager. She discovered textiles as an Interior designer and started making textile art pieces. Working in a series,…
Jungle Scape art quilt by Pamela Loewen

Spotlight: Pamela Loewen, Contemporary Artist

Pamela Loewen discovered quilt making as an art form and now creates colorful, joyful and intricately made art quilts with a high level of craftsmanship. She enjoys working in a…
Magnolia After the Storm by Barbara Bushey

Spotlight: Barbara Bushey, Artist

Barbara Bushey took a textile class and knew she found her home. She is inspired by nature and the world around her, especially her time spent at Lake Superior, Barbara…
The Company You Keep art by Mabela

Spotlight: Mabelin Castellanos, Textile Artist

"Mabelin Castellanos is a Cuban fiber artist based in Miami. She interprets life as seen from her window, often made from scrap fabrics. Her practice is marked by self-reflection, pleasant…

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