Monday, December 2, 2013

Textile Art - What do you do?

So lately, as I've been designing things for Fellowship of the Flowers, I've been thinking about "The Question." What question you ask? Well the question you only get asked as an adult. You see, when you are a child you get asked, "Hi, what's your name?" As an adult you get asked, "Hi, what do you do?"

http://www.mister-finch.com/Mister Finch

For many of us adults, the answer can change over time. For me it certainly did. The answers use to be: payroll clerk, bookkeeper, lead secretary, office manager, project manager and interior designer. Now, the answer is textile folk artist, author and instructor. Out of all my answers, this one is my favorite and the best fit to describe who I really am. It's also the one I will keep. I honestly can't imagine myself as anything else. I love to design, share and inspire others. It is my passion.

My art is in this issue

I've been a quilter since 1989, but in 2005, after making my gazillinth traditional quilt, I found textile art and artists. Then the whole mixed media thing came on the scene. Oh what fun! The colors, the textures the mixture of well...medias! Folk Art Fusion was inspired by all of this. It is my love of traditional quilts fused together with art quilts. It's all folk art as I'm not professionally trained. I don't have a degree or lots of letters behind my name. My art and designs simply come from my heart.


I'm inspired by music, nature, interior design and other textile artists. Recently on Pinterest, I discovered Mister Finch. Mister Finch is a male textile artist living in England. His work just reached out and grabbed me. Yes, the hares were what first caught my attention. How could they not?


Then, his bees. Glorious bumblebees!



Then these magical mushrooms!








Then there was the giant moth. Oh my!


It reminded me of the giant moth on my porch this summer. Magnificent!


Mister Finch recently had a feature article in Sweet Paul MagazineYou can read more HERE. I never heard of this magazine, but now I'm hooked!


It is people like Mister Finch who inspire me to create. It's also what fuels my passion to inspire you with my designs. I know you can do it and I truly love to show you how!

(Taping on Quilting Arts TV 1300 series)

Hello, my name is Michelle May. I'm a textile folk artist, author and instructor. I spend my days with bunnies, designing textile folk art, and inspiring others to create. I love my job. It's who I am and who I always wanted to be.

So, what do you do?

xx,
Michelle and the Bunnies    

15 comments:

Anonymous said...

love this post Shell very interesting,thankyou for sharing.xx

Vroomans' Quilts said...

Yes, a lovely and sweet post - an inside look at you.

Castles Crowns and Cottages said...

HOLY COW, or should I say, HOLY RABBITS! OK, you just tickled my fancy, again...

I must check out this Mr. Finch. He sounds like an Englishman, he LOOKS fantastic with his magical hares all about, and I need to check out this guy!

Michelle, you inspire. No matter what you share, what you are up to, you tickle my fancy! LOVE!! Anita

Mosaic Magpie said...

I love Mr. Finch's work!!!
I like your new header too!
Deb

StitchinByTheLake said...

What a fascinating artist he is Shell - and what amazing work! blessings, marlene

Carrie P. said...

great post. I can not wait to see you on Quilting Arts.

Little Miss Titch said...

Oh my that is some fab work by Mister Finch,xx Rachel

Missie of Traditional Primitives said...

Great post Michelle! I must think of a more creative title for myself other than Quilt Designer!

Fiona said...

lovely post Shell...
Hugz

Unknown said...

You said it was your passion and you can really tell that is true by your wonderful creations! I'm so proud of all you've accomplished during the time I've been reading your blog. You go girl!

Draffin Bears said...

Hi Shell,

How wonderful! love Mr Finch's work - the hares are amazing.
Always great to see what you are up to dear friend and how neat that you were on a Quilting Arts TV series.
Wow - you are so talented.
happy week
hugs
Carolyn

Createology said...

I have followed Mr. Finch for a very long time and his work is beyond amazing. Just as his work has a "signature style" so does your work. Your very own unique "signature style". Isn't it wonderful to know and do what you love? Blissful Bunnyville Dear...

RG said...

Don't people read anymore? You ask them "What do you do" They just tell you how great you are. Which is really great but what do they do? Maybe they just sit and read blogs and comment all day. Maybe they all clean bathrooms for a living and are ashamed to say.

I tend the yard and bunnys and BL and get out volunteering for the environment. I write a bit - that is the creative part!

Unknown said...

Wow Shelly, I love your post. I always learn sew much from you. Got the juices flowing! Love ya!

Barb said...

What a wonderful post about yourself and what inspires you. You truly are an artist and very inspirational and I was lucky to happen upon your blog.

Lady Hannah Goldenhare - Nothing Gold Can Stay

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