World Wide Blog Hop

Me in my previous studio before moving this year.

I was invited by Edith Bieri-Hanselmann, a blogger and quilter extraordinaire from Switzerland, to take part in a World Wide Blog Hop -- to answer questions about my work and introduce you to some other fabulous quilt artists. Here's Edith's post: quilts und mehr: Blog Hop and here are my answers to the questions.

1. What am I working on?

I always have numerous projects in the works, but the latest one is another fractured circle quilt like this first one:

"Just For Fun" by Sherrie Spangler

Current circle quilt.

I also have had an ongoing series for years that I call my Yoga Mat Quilts, based on the flowing designs on my yoga mat. I paint, stamp, foil, embroider and bead in a meditative manner. Here's one, still not quilted:

"Yoga Mat Quilt" by Sherrie Spangler

And of course I have a lot of UFOs floating around from years ago.

 2. How does my work differ from others in this genre?

My friends tell me that they can always tell my quilts by the "Sherrie colors." I'm energized by using bright orange, turquoise, lime green, hot pink and purple. This isn't so different from a lot of other quilt artists, but it's my style too. I also like to use many layers, often sheer, metallic for glitter, dangling thread tails, exposed batting and long undulating lines for my quilting stitches.

The last few years I've been incorporating a lot of big hand embroidery stitches and beaded embroidery.

Detail, "Study In Green" by Sherrie Spangler

Detail, "Study In Pink" by Sherrie Spangler

3. Why do I do what I do?

I make colorful quilts because the colors lift my spirits and the tactile properties of fabric are endlessly interesting. Fabric can be painted, scrunched, stamped, folded, foiled, torn, layered, stitched, covered with embroidery, beaded, and on and on.
 
I'm inspired by the weather, the skies, clouds, water, wild plants and emotions. I especially love the desert Southwest. Here's an older quilt called "New Mexico Light" made with my painted fabric and a gold metallic mesh.

"New Mexico Light" by Sherrie Spangler

4. How does my art process work?

I start with a yearning to work with certain colors, but that's all I know when I start. I either paint some new fabric or pull from my stash and start cutting and layering on my design wall. I have a stash of metallic, tulle, sheer painted organza, yarn and beads that I pull out as I go. Usually I end up with an abstract color or line study, but sometimes I gravitate toward a stylized plant or house or landscape.

My work basically evolves organically. I rarely do design sketches and I rarely rip out or redo anything. I go with the flow and see where it takes me.

Detail, "Yoga Mat Quilt" by Sherrie Spangler
Hand painted, embroidered, beaded

Now for the best part of this post, where I get to introduce you to some great bloggers. Please hop on over and visit them and enjoy their art! They'll answer the questions and introduce more bloggers on Oct. 6.

 

Robbie of Robbie's Paw Prints

www.robbiespawprints.blogspot.com

Robbie of Robbie's Paw Prints

I love Robbie's blog because it vibrates with energy and enthusiasm for art and for life. Here's her bio:

"With retirement in the fall of 1999, I started a new day job of creating art using fabric, paints and beads. I've been very fortunate to take classes from some of the best fiber artists. Their influence and direction have given me the ability to create my own art by designing, embellishing, dyeing and painting fabric. I love to add texture and dimension to my work, often by adding different fibers, bead embroidery and hand stitching. I also stay off the golf course by doing my art work, which makes my hubby very happy!" -- Robbie

________________________

Pam of the Art of Being Pamela

www.artofbeing-pamela.blogspot.com

 

Pam of the Art of Being Pamela

Another blog I love is the Art of Being Pamela because it is full of happy colorful fiber, paintings and other good things. Here's what Pam says:

"I'm a mom, a sister, a friend, a neighbor, and I'm a nurse. I'm a dog rescuer, a cook and a recycler (now, that sounds funny, doesn't it?!). I'm a self-taught artist and I find inspiration in almost everything, especially nature." 

Pam says that as a child she dreamed "of growing up and living my life as an author-illustrator in a cottage on a beach somewhere. And then I actually grew up, raised my family, and went back to school and became a nurse. In about 2007, I found myself searching for artistic outlets again," so she learned as much as she could through blogs and classes and now spends "every moment possible in the painting studio I've created in my basement, my upstairs sewing room, or I do beading or water coloring in front of the TV in my living room! I carry projects in my tote so that no matter where I am, I can work on an art journal, note card or similar. And once again, I am dreaming about the time when I can 'quit my day job' and paint and sew and craft to my heart's content." -- Pam

Please enjoy meeting these artists
on Oct. 6 on their blogs!

Have a colorful day