Ellen Lindner made her first art quilt in 2000. She dyes all of her own fabrics to create her colorful art quilts. Finding inspiration from the fabric designs she creates, she works on one piece at a time. When one is finished, she starts her next piece of art.
Flight instructor to fiber artist. Tell us more about your journey. How did you get started making fiber art?
I’ve worked most of my adult life as a flight instructor. As I like to say, “It had its ups and downs.” (Sorry, I can never pass up an opportunity to use that pun.)
I don’t think my flying and my artistic journey are really related, except that they both illustrate my “can do” attitude and my enthusiasm for tackling challenging things.
Tell us more about your journey. How did you get started making fiber art?
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Read more about our affiliate linking policy.
I came to fiber art via traditional quilt making. As a newlywed, in 1983, my husband and I needed a painting to go over the sofa but couldn’t afford one. Thankfully, quilts had recently started moving onto the wall and I knew how to sew. So, I bought a how-to book and made my first quilt. I was immediately hooked and made traditional quilts for nearly 20 years.
During that time I began to get bored with strict patterns and experimented with all the new techniques that came along. These included machine quilting (oh my,) and even that new-fangled invention called a rotary cutter.
I slowly started making more and more of my own decisions until I finally made what I considered my first ART quilt in 2000.
Since then, I’ve had SO much fun experimenting and learning! I tried a lot of different techniques, but I knew I also needed to learn some basics of art. I read books on color, design, and composition, doing many of the suggested exercises. This was really crucial to my progress as an art quilter. Now, I teach these concepts to other quilters.
For many years I focused on pieces inspired by local Florida foliage, working in a raw edge collage technique. The color and shapes of these plants made for interesting and vibrant quilts.
Around 2017, I tried to learn how to make abstract quilts. Gee, they were very challenging for me! But, I do like a challenge, so I persevered. My first attempts were definitely not great art, but I think they were necessary in order to develop my skills. I don’t regret the time they took or the fabric they required. The PROCESS was valuable!
It seemed to me that painting or dying my own fabric would help me to construct abstract quilts. So, I’ve been dying and printing my own fabric for about the last five years. This photo shows the results of one week’s worth of fun!
I generally start with the fabric that has the highest contrast and work from there. In this example, I focused on the fabric with a blue grid printed on a yellow background.
I look for ways to create diagonal shapes, mismatched motifs, skinny lines, and energy throughout. The photo below shows a little bit of progress.
There’s LOTS of trial and error as I fold fabrics and move them around. I don’t cut the fabric until I’m sure of my decisions. The finished quilt, Easily Distracted, is shown below.
The time at the design wall is my favorite part of the art-making process. I get a little bored when I get to the less creative activities, like quilting.
Where do you find inspiration for your designs?
Primarily from the designs in my own hand dyed fabrics. Exuberance, below.
Do you work in a series? How does that influence your work?
I don’t work in a series, but I definitely repeat color combos, motifs, and styles. Ripples and Runs below.
Are you a “finisher”? How many UFOs do you think you have?
Yes and No. I only work on one piece at a time. I almost always complete my pieces, but when something is totally not working I’m okay with tossing it. Life is too short to struggle with it. In those rare cases I just start something new.
As for UFOs, I have very few. Maybe 2.
Do you have a dedicated space for creating? If so, what does it look like?
Oh yes, and it’s wonderful! It was designed to be a bedroom, adjacent to the kitchen. We put a door between the two rooms so I have easy access to/from studio activities and family life. (Here it is, mid-project.)
My studio is not particularly large, but it does have a walk-in closet, where I keep all my fabric. I have two work tables in the middle of the room, one tall for cutting, and one regular height for sitting. The sewing machine has its own separate table. I have two design walls, and they are heavily used.
I also dye fabric in this space, which is slightly challenging. (I live in Florida and it’s just too hot to dye outside!) I’ve got a floor that’s impervious to dye, but I have to cover my design walls and tables with plastic. When dying I move the sewing machine into the closet and take over the whole room with dying and printing activities. It’s a ton of fun!
How often do you start a new project? Do you work actively on more than one project at a time?
I generally start a new quilt as soon as I finish the previous one. I just can’t stop! I have a monthly newsletter, and I like to show a new, finished, quilt each month. That also helps me keep moving.
Where can people see your work?
AdventureQuilter.com
http://adventurequilter.com/
Newsletter signup
https://adventurequilter.com/newsletter/
Instagram @ellenlindner_adventure_quilter
https://www.instagram.com/ellenlindner_adventure_quilter
Facebook: Ellen Lindner: Adventure Quilter
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100050027352481
Interview posted August 2024
Browse through more inspiring art quilts on Create Whimsy.