Catherine Whall Smith works in a series and usually has more than one piece in progress. She includes digital printed images in her work, and always finishes them with hand quilting.
How did you find yourself on an artist path? Always there? Light bulb moment? Dragged kicking and screaming? Evolving?
Since 1983 I have been actively involved in showing my Fiber Art – as evidenced on my Shows and Publications page website; https://catherinewhallsmith.com/portfolio/juried-shows-and-publications/
In 2010, I participated in a Nancy Crow workshop at the Fuller Craft Museum in Brockton Massachusetts that initiated my love of a simple line. More on my background can be found here: https://catherinewhallsmith.com/about-catherine/
Why textiles and quilting?
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Read more about our affiliate linking policy.
I have a Clothing & Textile degree from the University of New Hampshire. One of the quilts in my “Transfusion” series references my clothing construction expertise. “Cut, Stitch, Sew” – Transfusion #8 was exhibited in the Art Quilt Elements 2022 show, at Wayne Art Center, Wayne, PA. “Seeing quilts as an art form I approach my art as a narrative.”
How does your environment influence your creativity? Where do you find inspiration for your designs?
After retiring from the Neag School of Education at the University of Connecticut, I spent time photographing my rural environment which led to my “Hay” series.
My photo images were digitally applied to treated cotton and used in my art.
My “Marshmallow” photo images tell many stories and create a dialogue regarding the disappearing barns in Connecticut, the proper storage of hay, and the impact of plastic on the environment.
In my studio, each image spoke to me and names like “ The Kiss”, “Hide & Seek”, and “Family Portrait” were assigned to each image.
Do you work in a series? How does that affect your approach?
Definitely “YES” always.
During the many years that I have created Fiber Art, I have always worked in a series. “Tying up the Hay”; “Seeing Doubles”, each piece in this series incorporates two of the same images. I use a rotary cutter and ruler to randomly slash lines in each piece:
“Transfusion”; and, “Bones” are some of my series.
How do you make time for creating? Do you try to create daily?
My Artist Statement tells it all.
“Being in the moment: In our highly complex information sharing society, I feel the pressure to participate so that is why at this stage in my life, my art is about being in and sharing a moment in time. It only exists for that moment–and I attempt to capture that moment with my digital images. Enlarged hay images show fragmented lines, each one the stimulus for a quilt that explores how simple lines create visual space. My final connection with each piece is hand stitching repetitive lines across the quilts surface. Thousands of tiny stitches allow me to once again be in the moment as three layers merge into one and my art transforms from a flat surface to one with texture, drape, and dimension.”
Note: I have an hour glass in my studio that motivates me daily to do it least one hour and then another!
When it comes to creating, are you more a planner or an improvisor?
I do both plan out my focus and then improvise as I create the piece on my design panels.
Are you a “Finisher”?
YES How many UFOs do you think you have? NONE I am a completer!
Describe your creative space?
My third floor studio includes this statement “Just the right amount of WRONG”
Do you work actively on more than one project at a time?
Yes. I use two large panels side by side.
How often do you start a new project?
It varies, usually there is always something “In Progress” on my design wall.
Do you work actively on more than one project at a time?
Yes. I work on multiple pieces at one time.
Can you tell us about the inspiration and process of one of your works? How does a new work come about?
During our lockdown during COVID I started my “Hay Keep Your Distance” series. By the end of that year I had completed 12 pieces. Here is the link to that information and those pieces. https://catherinewhallsmith.com/portfolio/2008-2-2/ I also did several blog posts throughout that year .
Which part of the design process is your favorite?
Starting. Selecting the fabrics from my extensive studio stash. I very seldom purchase any new fabric. In fact, during Covid and my HKYD series I pretty much only used my studio stash. I also love finishing them with all hand quilting.
Is there an over arching theme that connects your work?
My hand stitching and challenging construction techniques connects my work.
What do you do to keep yourself motivated and interested in your work?
Entering shows, the challenge of working in a series, and always having something on my design wall keep me motivated in my work.
In 2021 my piece “Transfusion in TWO PARTS” was juried into Quilt National in Athens, Ohio. Quilt National was intended to demonstrate the transformations taking place in the world of quilting.
How do you know when a piece or project is finished and that it needs no additional work?
It’s intuitive for me to know it is done. Each visual space on the piece looks, “complete” to me. I know I am done and ready for my ultimate goal the “hand quilting” .
Where can people see your work?
Future show at the UConn Health Center and always check my website.
During 2022, in support of Chaplin’s Bicentennial year 2022, each month I displayed at the Chaplin Town Library, one of my quilts with information on one of the historic homes on Chaplin Street, Chaplin, CT. Catherine Whall Smith . . . shares the 2022 Bicentennial House and Quilt of the Month blog posts. I hope to show that body of work again.
Learn more about Catherine and her work on her website.
Interview posted August 2024
Browse through more inspiring art quilts on Create Whimsy.