Sidnee Snell has always enjoyed making stuff, but it took others’ input before she embraced the title of an artist. Her unique approach to quilting challenges traditional norms, inviting and encouraging texture and a tactile experience for the viewer. She doesn’t wait for inspiration but instead believes in the power of consistent effort.
How did you find yourself on an artist’s path? Always there? Lightbulb moment? Dragged kicking and screaming? Evolving?
Somewhere between dragged and evolving. Although I’ve always enjoyed making stuff, I didn’t see myself as an artist.
I finally had to give up on the imposter syndrome when an eleven-year-old told me I was one of two ‘real’ artists that he knew. Who was I to tell him he was wrong?
And if that hadn’t been enough, when I was recommended to the Art Beat staff as a fine artist using an alternative medium, I just had to embrace the title. It seems that the ability to draw and/or paint does not determine whether or not you are an artist.
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What do you do differently? What is your signature that makes your work stand out as yours?
I think of my work as paint-by-numbers with my personally designed kit. And I paint with fabric and thread.
Unlike some quilters, I invite and encourage texture and all the drape of fabric. I don’t care whether my quilts are flat. I hope the viewer wants to touch the quilt even if the venue says, ‘No touching!’
What inspires you?
It seems that I am often inspired by my current ‘soapbox’. My current style of working evolved for my irritation from an overheard comment about a quilt that was special (real art) because it was so ‘painterly’. I thought about the craftiest painting style and decided to emulate it. I would never have guessed at the time that it was a process I would grow to love.
How does your environment influence your creativity?
Of course! If my space is too cluttered, it’s difficult to work. If it’s too tidy, it’s also difficult to get started. My studio is very well lit to help combat seasonal depression.
Do you plan your work out ahead of time, or do you just dive in with your materials and start playing?
I plan. I am more of an editor than a blank page artist.
How do you manage your creative time? Do you schedule start and stop times? Or work only when inspired?
I do something creative every day, even if it’s only baking cookies.
When I get stuck in the studio, I iron napkins or fabric. I’m trying to be both more consistent (especially in the winter) and more flexible. After all, life happens. I don’t wait for inspiration though. It’s too unreliable and I’m seriously unfun to be around if I’m not exercising my creativity.
“Amateurs wait for the muse; the rest of us just get to work.” ― Chuck Close
Are you a “finisher”? How many UFOs do you think you have?
As far as my quilts go, I finish unless it’s a piece that was only meant to be used to try out a new technique. In the rest of my creative life (knitting, crotchet, etc.) UFOs are allowed to accumulate. Ha! I don’t even know where all the UFOs are let alone how many there are.
Do you have a dedicated space for creating? If so, what does it look like?
I have a studio (AKA My Sandbox) in the basement. A small (diminishing) part of the space is dedicated to domestic chores and storage. I’ve been trying to confine all my goodies to the studio, but increasingly they are spilling into the rest of the house, yard and garage.
Do you use a sketchbook or journal? How does that help your work develop?
I don’t really use either very often. Since I work from digital images, there are a ton of images stored in various places on my computer.
What plays in the background while you work? Silence? Music, audiobooks, podcasts, movies? If so, what kind?
Sometimes silence is best, but usually it’s either an audiobook, podcast or music. It has to be something that doesn’t require all my attention. That said, I’ve found myself watching/listening to foreign language TV recently. I’ve learned when I need to look up and read the subtitles.
How often do you start a new project? Do you work actively on more than one project at a time?
I usually start a new project within a week or so of finishing a project. There is usually some idea roaming around in the back of my brain waiting to be let out. Sometimes I take a hiatus to allow time for some other creative outlets. Right now, I’ve got a winter wardrobe of pajamas waiting for my attention.
Can you tell us about the inspiration and process of one of your works? How does a new work come about?
I was finally coming home for good after weeks of shuttling back and forth to California to care for an ailing parent. As the plane approached the Portland airport, I felt my body begin to relax. With the bump from the tire touching the pavement, I understood for the first time, the urge to kiss the tarmac. In spite of the 2-hour drive that was still ahead of me to reach my house in Corvallis, I felt like I was home. That was the beginning of my love affair with the Portland airport. I have made four quilts – including PDX Phase II – based on photos taken at the airport. They are among my favorite pieces.
The ‘PDX Phase II’ is based on one of several snapshots I took at the airport. It’s not a great image, but something about it kept calling my attention. I spent a lot of time in PhotoShop cropping and recoloring until I had an image I like. From the there I created a digital sketch and the pattern. And of course, the quilt.
Which part of the design process is your favorite? Which part is a challenge for you?
Because I’ve created a process that caters to different aspects of my personality and talents, I enjoy every part. The biggest challenge comes towards the end of every stage when working starts to feel tedious.
Tell us about a time when you truly stretched yourself as an artist.
When I decided to start working larger. My first (or second?) super large quilt was 73″ x 96″. It was a huge investment in time and materials. I had to figure out how to maneuver something that large on my work surfaces. And what if after all that work, I didn’t like it?
How has your work changed over time?
First there were very traditional quilts. Then there were the very geometric quilts. Now they’re more impressionistic.
Do you think that creativity is part of human nature or is it something that must be nurtured and learned?
Both! I believe that everyone is creative in their own way. Creativity goes beyond the arts. It’s more about how you look at and respond to situations.
How have other people supported or inspired you?
I have been supported and inspired by so many! My spouse supports me by ‘clearing the decks’ so I can work on projects without interruption. My daughter nags me (if I ask her to) in order to keep me from procrastinating and/or overdoing and injuring myself. My daughter in-law is so admiring, that she quiets my inner critic. My son has helped me numerous times with technical issues. And then there are all the artists and teachers who share their work and their knowledge.
Where can people see your work in person?
That’s tricky. I don’t show often, and I don’t advertise much. You can find my work shown with the members of 20 Perspectives at some of the Quiltfest shows.
Learn more about Sidnee and her work on her website. Follow Sidnee on Instagram.
Interview posted October 2023
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