Rita Lynne translates her life experiences into 3-dimensional art quilts and art vessels to tell her stories. She starts with ideas in her head. As she works on the project, it tells her what it needs and where it should go. Most importantly, Rita believes that a piece is never finished. It may need work in the future.
How long have you been quilting and designing? How did you get started?
I became inspired to use fabric as an art medium when I came across an Elanor Burns book on quilting Sunbonnet Sue quilts. That seemed like the ideal project for me as a new grandmother. I loved the simple patterns and cute finished products. (Even though I had no idea I was supposed to also quilt around the subject matter.)
When was the first time that you remember realizing that you are a creative person?
As a young girl I remember “just creating things”, not knowing then that I was building the groundwork for my love of creating all things. My mother enjoyed creating things from nothing; we stitched, cooked, painted, knitted, and darned things together.
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What inspires you to create?
What inspires me has changed as I got older and had more life experiences. I create 3-dimensional art quilts and art vessels to tell a story. It may be about the beautiful mountains where I live, the antics of my animals playing together or observing how people express themselves. Stories are everywhere and so relatable. I think we quilters do a great job story telling with our quilts regardless of which style of quilting we do.
What different creative media do you use in your work?
I start with fabrics and will incorporate mixed media if the art piece requires it to tell the story. I’ll use dimensional paints, beads, buttons, feathers, sticks, felting – anything that seems to enhance the story.
I am known for my 3-dimensional art quilts and vessels. My art vessels and floating art quilts are unique, my students go through a wonderful creative transformation when they learn how they can advance their quilt and fiber art creations with 3-D work.
When it comes to creating, are you more of a planner or an improviser?
I usually start with an idea or plan in my mind and work out the basic processes in my head before beginning to work with fabric. When I start to work with the fabrics and other elements, inspiration takes over and improvisation influences the end results.
Are you a “finisher”? How many UFOs do you think you have?
Are you kidding? Who doesn’t have UFOs? That’s part of being an artist – right? I have quilts that may sit for a couple years before I get the next best idea on how to develop the design. It’s also fun to look through the UFOs and see how far I have come with my work.
Do you have a dedicated space for creating? If so, what does it look like?
Presently I have two studio areas. One in my home and one with several other artists including ceramic and jewelry creators. Having a place to communicate with other artists is good for the soul.
An artist should have a dedicated space for creating no matter how small that may be. It can be a corner in your kitchen, or bedroom, or in the basement or garage with all the storage stuff we seem to have around. It’s important to have a designated space to create.
You need a space that is yours, that has your energy and supplies to inspire you to sit down and create when you want. Also, having a studio space (no matter how small) gives you the mindset that you are an artist at work!
Scraps. Saver? Or be done with them?
Oh boy, I’m a saver for sure! In fact, having so many scraps around is what got me thinking about creating the Crazy Quilt Vessel. This is one of my favorite classes because we use up our scraps that are too sacred to throw away.
Do you use a sketchbook or journal? How does that help your work develop?
Sometimes I use a sketchbook, especially when I am trying to figure out different angles for my vessels. I don’t do much journaling when creating an art quilt. I keep the information I need within the file for each pattern and for any new pattern possibility.
How often do you start a new project?
I like this question. The only time I don’t start a new project is when I am finishing a big trip from teaching and need to rest. My mind is always thinking about different ways to work with fabric.
Do you work actively on more than one project at a time?
Yes, I do. However, I pace my time in each project, so I don’t go down a big rabbit hole and get overwhelmed.
Can you tell us about the inspiration and process of one of your works?
Sure. For my art quilt “Liberty and Freedom” I was inspired by the immigration conflicts at the border.
I grew up without the prejudices we have today. I went to school and played with Ottawa and Chippewa Indian children. I had no conscious awareness of our differences. When immigrants became a national topic, I felt a need to express my desire to show a common ground we all share.
The quilt shows the American Flag in the background with the word Liberty written on it in several different languages. The little girl hugging the Statue of Liberty represents France dressed in their national costume.
All the other children are dressed in their country’s colors and costumes. All the children have the same face to symbolize we are alike in many ways and can see ourselves in others if we try to find the good in all.
The children each touch another child to show a desire to be together.
When I share the story at guilds the quilt has brought many quilters to tears. I am happy I was able to convey a way to “feel” how a story can influence us.
How does new work come about?
In my mind, there does not seem to be an “Off” button for inspiration. I am constantly thinking about what I see and how it can become a 3-D art design.
For example, as a season changes I will be thinking about new landscape ideas. A trip to the high country where trees change colors or the first snow falls, I’ll take pictures and refer to them when I am ready to play with a new design. This is one way I start to work on new designs.
Which part of the design process is your favorite?
I like the parts where I feel the design is working and I have a better vision of what comes next.
As I work with a design, I let the art quilt tell me what needs to be changed and try to stay open to any modifications that come to mind even when it seems way off the original design idea.
Which part is a challenge for you?
Sometimes there may be more than one design element that gives positive change to the project. It becomes a challenge to give up one idea for the other. Maybe two art quilts come out of the challenge.
When you travel, do you create while on planes and in waiting areas?
No, I like to watch people when out in crowds. I usually have a book to read with no phone or email interruptions when on longer trips.
What is your creative travel kit?
Another great question! It depends on where I am going. I always have two phones for videos and pictures. Recently, I taught on a cruise and just brought my phones to record my classes and walks, etc. It was enough to get the stories I knew I wanted to create later.
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve received?
I learned from the Indian Chefs where I grew up to accept a project is never really done. It is finished “for now” and I learned to accept that philosophy when creating art. It’s an act of discipline and understanding I can continue the process with another piece of art.
The best piece of advice for me came from life experiences. When I feel stuck or hesitant to try a new process because I have no knowledge of how to do this or how it will turn out I know that is when I am on to something special. It’s not the fear that keeps me back, I know it’s doing something unknown and still trusting the process.
Do you prefer the kind of project that is challenging and requires attention, or the kind where you get in your meditative zone and enjoy the process?
I like a project that provides both. If the project requires lots of attention to details I will pace the time spent on that element and move back and forth between the challenges and the ‘freeform part’ of the process
What do you do to keep yourself motivated and interested in your work?
I spend some part of every day thinking about what I can design next. I like studying and learning from other artists and am motivated to figure out how what I learn can become an art quilt.
What was the biggest challenge that you encountered on your creative journey?
I think the biggest challenge always is accepting that my work is good enough to teach. I can be my worst critic and my best supporter. I think most of us can relate to this dilemma. We judge ourselves, criticize our work and sometimes compliment ourselves when a project is finished.
What did you learn from it?
I’ve learned this: Stop when you are getting too critical of the project. Take a picture of the project where it is and step away. Come back to it when you are not thinking about it constantly. This usually will give me a new perspective and the ability to continue to create.
The other thing I’ve learned is to know a project is never really completed. We will always find something in our work that could be done better. Learn to accept your work as complete “for now”. This gives you the satisfaction of knowing the project is compete “for now” and gives you the inspiration to create something better next time you create a quilt project.
Do you lecture or teach workshops?
I teach at the Houston Quilt Festival each year and bring new ideas each year for 3-dimensional fiber art. I also lecture and teach at quilt guilds across the country. I have a class on 3 dimensional art vessel creation on Skillshare.com.
How can students/organizers get in touch with you to schedule an event?
I would be happy to discuss scheduling an event. Send me an email at [email protected]
Where can people see your work?
My work is seen on my website www.RitaLynneStudio.com and my YouTube channel Rita Lynne – YouTube. We are redoing the Rita Lynne Studio YouTube channel with lots of free teaching videos which will be uploaded in December. I decided in 2024 to share free many of my techniques on my YouTube channel.
Interview posted November 2024
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