Lecture: “What the Heck is Fiber Art?” with Joan de Young

Joan is inspired by her surroundings and the environment. She recycles fabrics that she finds in various places or she uses her own dyed and painted pieces. Her evolution into Art Quilting came about when she saw a variety of new and creative quilts displayed at quilt shows.  She designs fabric art pieces manipulating the fabric using bobbin work, twin needle and couching and even crocheted pieces to add texture and dimension.

Joan says that there is so much fun and excitement in the challenge of creating the art quilts she daydreams about.  Some of them are quite abstract, others have messages about the planet.  She’s encouraged and inspired by the members of The Extreme Quilters, as well as the works of Velda Newman and Katie Pasqini Masopust.  There are so many innovative and creative art quilters and so much inspiration.

Joan’s art quilts have been exhibited at the Thousand Oaks Art Gallery and at Wailoa Arts & Cultural Center in Hilo, Hawaii.  She has also had the honor of having one of her quilts being displayed at local guild shows and nationally, at East Coast Quilt Exhibitions, along with her fellow Extreme Quilters. Her quilts have also been displayed in an historic building in Bethlehem, Connecticut.

We’re excited to be inspired by Joan’s fiber art creations!