Journey to Inspired Art Quilting: More Intuitive Color & Design

116 Pages·2012·141.336 MB·English

by  Jean Wells

CRAFTS/Quilting JEAN WELLS
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Continue your art quilting journey with Jean in this
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Learn how to recognize those “big ideas” that become
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9 classroom-tested design assignments help you trust
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ISBN 978-1-60705-580-8 L
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“Exploring intuitive design with Jean just might 52995 S
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9 781607 055808
Also available as an eBook
JOURNEY TO
Inspired
Art Quilting
MORE INTUITIVE COLOR & DESIGN
JEAN WELLS
Text and Photography copyright © 2012 by Jean Wells
Photography and Artwork copyright © 2012 by C&T Publishing, Inc.
Publisher: Amy Marson
Creative Director: Gailen Runge
Art Director: Kristy Zacharias
Editor: Lynn Koolish
Technical Editor: Carolyn Aune
Cover/Book Designer: Christina Jarumay Fox
Production Coordinator: Jenny Davis
Production Editor: S. Michele Fry
Illustrator: Lon Eric Craven
Flat Quilt Photography by Christina Carty-Francis and Diane
Pedersen of C&T Publishing, Inc., unless otherwise noted.
Inspiration Photography by Jean Wells unless otherwise noted.
Published by C&T Publishing, Inc., P.O. Box 1456, Lafayette,
CA 94549
All rights reserved. No part of this work covered by the copyright
hereon may be used in any form or reproduced by any means—
graphic, electronic, or mechanical, including photocopying,
recording, taping, or information storage and retrieval systems—
without written permission from the publisher. The copyrights on
individual artworks are retained by the artists as noted in Journey
to Inspired Art Quilting. These designs may be used to make items
only for personal use or donation to nonprofit groups for sale or for
display only at events, provided the following credit is included on
a conspicuous label: Designs copyright © 2012 by Jean Wells from
the book Journey to Inspired Art Quilting from C&T Publishing, Inc.
Permission for all other purposes must be requested in writing from
C&T Publishing, Inc.
Attention Teachers: C&T Publishing, Inc., encourages you to use
this book as a text for teaching. Contact us at 800-284-1114 or
www.ctpub.com for lesson plans and information about the C&T
Creative Troupe.
We take great care to ensure that the information included in our
products is accurate and presented in good faith, but no warranty
is provided nor are results guaranteed. Having no control over the
choices of materials or procedures used, neither the author nor
C&T Publishing, Inc., shall have any liability to any person or entity
with respect to any loss or damage caused directly or indirectly
by the information contained in this book. For your convenience,
we post an up-to-date listing of corrections on our website (www.
ctpub.com). If a correction is not already noted, please contact our
customer service department at [email protected] or at P.O. Box
1456, Lafayette, CA 94549.
Trademark (™) and registered trademark (®) names are used
throughout this book. Rather than use the symbols with every
occurrence of a trademark or registered trademark name, we are
using the names only in the editorial fashion and to the benefit of
the owner, with no intention of infringement.
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Wells, Jean.
Journey to inspired art quilting : more intuitive color & design /
Jean Wells.
pages cm
Continuation of Intuitive Color & Design.
ISBN 978-1-60705-580-8 (soft cover)
1. Quilts--Design. 2. Art quilts. I. Title.

TT835.W4644 2012
746.46--dc23

2012004065
Printed in China
10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
My appreciation goes to the entire C&T Publishing
group for making Journey to Inspired Art Quilting happen;
the team makes writing a book such a pleasure.
Amy Marson, publisher, has believed in the concepts of
this book from the beginning, and her support means the
world to me. Being able to again work with Lynn Koolish
was fabulous! We both know how the other processes
information, so the editing went very smoothly. I appreciate
her insightful suggestions that have made the book a
better read. What a wonderful treat to again have Christina
Jarumay as the designer. I could hardly wait to see the
words, inspirational photos, and quilts come alive with her
creative eye.
My appreciation goes to Judy Robertson of Just Imagination
who was the artist for the beautiful hand-painted fabric in
“After the Rain” on the cover of the book. Her fabric speaks
to me and was the perfect choice for this quilt.
I want to thank all of my students who have been such an
inspiration to me. Watching you learn and create beautiful
work feeds my soul. Thank you for embracing the intuitive
color and design process with so much enthusiasm.
Thank you to my husband, John, for putting up with
another deadline and a cluttered dining room table. And
although my staff at The Stitchin’ Post doesn’t realize it,
they are an inspiration—they do their jobs so beautifully,
allowing me to pursue my art.
CONTENTS
Preface, THE MAGIC OF COLOR
by Alma de la Melena Cox...6 ...35
Repeating Colors • Pushing Colors
Foreword,
by Gwen Marston...7 • Using Color as a Big Idea
Color Contrasts: Complementary • Warm and Cool
Continuing the Journey
...9
• Dull and Bright • Light and Dark
• Dominant and Subordinate
How to Use This Book
...11
Color Proportion • Color Personality Profile
• Seasonal Color Inspiration • Value
THE BIG IDEA
• Keeping Color Options Open
IN QUILT DESIGN • Final Thoughts on Color
...13
„ ASSIGNMENT: COLOR ADVENTURE...39
Making Pacific Grove • Choosing Fabric/Color Palette
• Thoughts on Design Inspiration „ ASSIGNMENT: COLOR AND CONTRAST...45
• Beginning the Design Process • Color and Fabric Decisions
„ ASSIGNMENT: SKETCHING CONTRAST...49
• Design • Sewing • Using Coping Strips
• Arranging Components • Design Checklist PRACTICING
• Final Design • Construction • Quilting Lines
GOOD DESIGN
...55
CAPTURING THE ESSENCE Elements of Design: Lines • Shapes • Value
OF INSPIRATION • Size and Shape • Pattern and Texture
...23
Principles of Design: Variety and Proportion
Your Environment • The Seasons • The Garden
• Balance • Repetition and Rhythm • Focal Point
• Travel • Living an Art-Filled Life
• Harmony and Unity • Component Design
• Putting Ideas and Inspiration to Work:
• Keeping a Journal/Sketchbook • Continue On „ ASSIGNMENT: PHOTO SHOOT...57
• What to Expect
„ ASSIGNMENT: LINE DETECTIVE...58
„ ASSIGNMENT: JOURNALING...33 „ ASSIGNMENT: LINE WORK...59
„ ASSIGNMENT: SMALL COMPOSITIONS...67
„ ASSIGNMENT: COMPONENT DESIGN...68
IMAGERY, TOOLS AND
EMBELLISHMENT, TECHNIQUES FOR
AND QUILTING THE ART QUILTER
...69 ...97
Imagery • Embellishment • Quilting Tools and Supplies • Optional Tools
• Doodle Designs • Design Inspiration from the Quilt Top • Fabric • Batting or Filler
• Marking the Top • Free-Motion Quilting • Constructing a Design Wall • Palette Box
„ ASSIGNMENT: QUILTING DESIGN DISCOVERY...74 Techniques for Your Quiltmaking Toolbox
• Cutting Lines without a Ruler
ARTFUL
• Sewing Free-Cut Seams
PRESENTATION • Adding Variety to Strips • Narrow Inserts
...77
• Detail Piecing / Little Jewels • Slice and Dice
Portrait Finish • Layered Approach • Frames
• Triangle Shapes • Top Stitching
• Stick Frame • Raw Edge Finish
• Using Unconventional Fabric
• Fragmenting Piecing into the Border
Finishing the Edges • Facing Edge • Narrow Binding
• Quilted Screen • Paperweights and Pincushions
• Turned-In Edge • Making a Sleeve
SPECIAL DESIGN
„ ASSIGNMENT: NARROW INSERT...103
ASSIGNMENTS
...87 „ ASSIGNMENT: DISAPPEARING STRIP...103
Simply the Land • Creating Landscape Compositions „ ASSIGNMENT: LITTLE JEWELS...105
• Using Photography • More Options for Making Landscapes „ ASSIGNMENT: SLICE AND DICE...106
„ ASSIGNMENT: LANDSCAPE IMPRESSION...88 „ ASSIGNMENT: TRIANGLE SHAPES...106
„ ASSIGNMENT: SIMPLY THE LAND...92
„ ASSIGNMENT: TIMED PIECING...95 Resources...110
About the Author
...111
PREFACE
Many know Jean’s valuable contributions to the quilting
world the past 38 years. I’ve been given the rare opportunity
to speak from my heart about a woman who continually
inspires me. I have had the immense pleasure of working in
collaboration with her, uniting our ideas to create five works
of art. It was this experience that opened my eyes to her
generosity of spirit.
Walking into her home through an intricately carved front
door, I sensed I was being led from the outer rings of a tree’s
life right through to its core. It seemed to me a perfect
metaphor, an opening into the heart of things. I entered an
inviting, light-filled home and studio space with a breath-
taking vista of the Cascade Mountains, as well as a beautiful
wildflower- and herb-filled garden. Inside, a soft palette of
sage greens and grays, the colors of the high desert, provided
a serene backdrop for a wide collection of mostly local,
beautiful artwork, where I could not help but feel my soul
jumping for joy amid all the inspiration that Jean had
brought together.
I was immediately drawn to her quilt wall full of photos, bits
of fabric, and sketches. Her creative pulse was evident with
her love and appreciation of nature’s bounty. It flows through
her as though she’s an open door. She is in tune with this
impulse, transforming it into her exceptional artwork.
Jean continually honors and gives a space for her own cre-
ativity to grow, and that she recognizes the priceless value in
giving it to others, in her books and in her classes, is truly our
gift. Jean’s eye for design embodies a well-studied experience,
not lost in what others might like or think or in some idea
of what something should look like. She embodies her truth,
and she is unafraid to share her journey. It is this selflessness
that makes Jean an inspiration to me. She has taught me that
what we create from the inside really does matter.
— Alma de la Melena Cox
Author of Collage Fusion: Vibrant Wood and Fabric Art Using
Telamadera Techniques
6 JOURNEY TO INSPIRED ART QUILTING
FOREWORD
For a long time, Jean has been working hard at
something that she is passionate about, and the
result is that she is an excellent teacher, author, and
shop owner and a superb quiltmaker.
Throughout the years she has continued to hone
her sewing skills, work out new techniques, and
develop her own unique artistic style. She loves
teaching and making quilts. It takes more than just
having all the answers to be a great teacher; respect
for all her students and an authentic interest in
helping them discover their own paths is even more
important, and Jean demonstrates this in spades.
Her previous book Intuitive Color & Design and
this enlightening new book, Journey to Inspired Art
Quilting, are both testaments to her genius at pre-
senting artistic ideas accompanied by thoughtfully
developed assignments aimed at empowering stu-
dents in the discovery of their own inner voices.
In her own work, Jean’s use of color, attention to
detail, and sense of spontaneity, coupled with ele-
ments of surprise tucked in at unexpected places,
are the brilliance of her art quilts. I find myself
pulled in and held firmly as I study the elements
that make her work so tantalizing.
It’s little wonder that Jean has been recognized as
one of America’s most notable quiltmakers: She
has been inducted into the Quilters Hall of Fame
and honored as a teacher and fine artist. She is also
known for her love of gardening, her warmth and
humor, her dedication to family and friends, and her
reputation as a woman of integrity.
—Gwen Marston
Professional quiltmaker, teacher, and author of
Liberated Quiltmaking II. Ideas and Inspirations,
37 Sketches
FOREWORD 7
Never cease wondering,
for wonder defines the path of discovery.
—Norman Hallendy, author of Inuksuit: Silent Messengers of the Arctic
CONTINUING THE JOURNEY
Sharing with you my continuing journey into the art-quilting I recommend keeping a journal. That has been one of the
world is a pleasure. Being a teacher at heart for all of these most valuable things I do in leading an art-filled life. To me
years, it is only natural for me to once again share my dis- the Big Idea is the driving force behind a design.
coveries and encourage you to embark or continue on your
This book presents a variety of options on how to approach
own journey. My goal is to share any and all ideas that might
design and use techniques that will lead you to the develop-
encourage you in your pursuit of discovering your own voice
ment of your own working style and put you on the road
in your work.
to finding your artistic voice. As you explore artistic ques-
As a child I think I drove my mother crazy with all my ideas tions, the development of techniques will follow, as will
and energy, whether it was creating a fort in the tall grass the development of individual style. We learn by imitation
across the street or wanting to sew at a very early age. Little in the beginning, but in that process, imitation becomes
did I know that my curiosity and fearless desire to make interpretation.
things would lead to an art-filled life. I have enjoyed teaching
So many times in the pursuit of knowledge, one idea or
junior high home economics as well as owning a gift bou-
experience will spark the senses, and the student will be able
tique, establishing and running one of the first quilt shops in
to move along in the creative process. In the nurturing envi-
America, launching the Sisters Outdoor Quilt Show, writing
ronment of this book, you will find short assignments, color
books, sewing and making quilts my whole life, becoming a
and design discussions, techniques, and many examples of
gallery artist, and most of all mentoring others in classrooms
ways you might want to work. My goal as an instructor is to
around the world. I truly love watching others learn!
encourage you in finding your own voice.
Choices have always been a running theme in my class-
My advice to you is to try new ways of working, trust your
room. Requiring all the students to make the same project
instincts, and in the process of developing an idea, be open
never seemed very productive to me. I would say that I
to all of the design and color possibilities that surround you
have customized my classroom from the beginning, cre-
in your life. Embrace and enjoy the process. Strive to give
ating situations where students master the basics and are
your work distinctive individuality!
then guided on their own path. This seems to enhance the
learning environment. I want students to leave the classroom As Oprah Winfrey said in the August 2011 issue of O, The
empowered, feeling that they have the foundation and tools Oprah Magazine, “Intuition is among our most valuable
to pursue their own ideas and create beautiful quilts. traits. Learn to hear what your inner voice is telling you and
your whole world changes.” Trust these valuable words as
The Big Idea is a recurring theme in my quiltmaking. It is that
you embark on your creative journey.
something that starts me thinking about how I might create
a new design for a quilt. Maybe it is capturing the colors in —Jean Wells
the early morning sky or thinking how I will use the strong
architectural lines of city buildings in a quilt. Ideas are end-
less, and the more open you are to them, the more you find.
CONTINUING THE JOURNEY 9