Jeanne Simpson
My interpretation of George Grosz's 'The Wanderer'.
Rochester Memorial Art Gallery 2008.
Artist's Statement
Webster, New York
I make art quilts to calm the rush of ideas in my head and to center myself. It brings me great joy to work with fabric. Completing a project is bliss.
Each piece begins by sorting fabrics and listening to who wants to play that day. The loudest voice gets chosen first. Many times the fabric will dictate what it would like to be and I continue by pulling companions from my stash. The hard part comes in committing to the idea and actually cutting the fabric. Light, color, value and texture guide my composition. I am drawn to simple geometrics, saturated colors and tactile sensations. Inspiration comes from an emotional feeling, random thoughts or the world around me. The sewing machine and rotary cutter are my primary tools as I marry commercial and hand-dyed fabrics to a vast array of threads with an occasional sprinkle of embellishments.
Quiltmaking started in1997 when I learned and perfected traditional techniques. It was an enthusiastic love affair. Soon after, I began hosting and facilitating quilt retreats that provided a comfortable environment to encourage others to find their creative spirit. These retreats were a feature article in Quick Quilts magazine. My work now sits happily in the world of art quilts. With my background in traditional quiltmaking, I can utilize precision piecing and time honored techniques or break the rules at will.
Exhibits
2009 - Collage Mania, Fiberarts for a Cause
2009 - New Year New Directions, Arts and Cultural Council for Greater Rochester Gallery, Rochester, NY
2008 - A Personal Landscape: Contemporary Art Quilts, Tyler Gallery, Oswego, NY
2008 - Magnificent Inspiration, Memorial Art Gallery, Rochester, NY
2008 - Old Forge Arts Center, Old Forge, NY
2008 - Clothesline Arts Festival, Rochester, NY
2007 - Common Thread, Arts and Cultural Council for Greater Rochester Gallery, Rochester, NY
Memberships
SAQA - Studio Art Quilt Association
RAFA - Rochester Area Fiber Artists
GVQC - Genesee Valley Quilt Club
Publications
“The Traveling Quilter” Quick Quilts, issue #74 November 2006, Harris Publications