Featured Artist: Mary Stoudt

During the six weeks of 'Black White Red' we'll focus on individual artists here on our blog. Every week, several artists will be featured. Today, we're pleased to introduce to you:  Mary Stoudt

Circles of Red, White, Black
cotton
21" x 26.5"

When I read the suggested rules for entry my first thought was, "black, red and white?!!! Yikes!!" It seemed to me like a good choice for a bicycle, but a quilt...I'm not so sure; but then I figured a challenge would be good. I used my raw edges technique and ended up really enjoying the red, white, and black challenge.

Circles of Red, White, Black, detail
cotton
21" x 26.5"

Ada's Buttons
cotton, buttons
10.5" x 14"

 
For the piece entitled Circles of Red, White and Black, I attempted to get a rhythm with the simple circle shapes to create a depth of field. I started the smaller piece entitled Ada's Buttons by manipulating the red, white and black buttons on the fabric until I was satisfied with the composition.  You might wonder why I used the name Ada for the title. It is my mother's name, and she had an enormous box filled with buttons she had saved and gave it to me before she died. I think of her every time I stitch a button to fabric. I believe that fabric can be connected to our memories in a very special way.

Ada's Buttons
cotton, buttons
10.5" x 14"

Artist Statement:


 I create my art quilts looking through a lens informed by decades of experimenting with a wide variety of art media, manely photography, printmaking, ceramics, weaving, collage, bookmaking, and sculpture, etc.

To begin an art piece I imagine a basic composition in my head concentrating on color and form, and then work intuitively through each piece. As I progress through the quilt, I improvise, perhaps like a jazz musician would.

Sometimes, I give myself quilt assignments such as, "See how big you can make a quilt', or "use wool and cotton together" or "see how many layers you can add to make a quilt. Some of my quilt creations could be put into categories such as color studies, storytelling, or optical illusions.


About the Artist: 

Since the 70's I have been stitching, weaving, making paper, creating mixed media all to create diverse works some of which have been described by critics as being whimsical and spiritual. In 2003 I started layering fabric in a grid-like fashion. Simply put, I visualize the quilt composition , its colors and forms in my head and then as I move through the process, I improvise the details. For certain pieces, I make an actual size pattern as I move through the process, but I introduce new elements while using the pattern. I love the warmth, the flexibility, the play of color and textures of quilt making.

Here is a mixed list of my favorite artists and other inspirations:
Paul Klee . Gees Bend Quilters . Pennsylvania Mountains, Fields . Traveling . Andy Goldsworthy . Red Grooms . Blues Music . NY times Sunday paper . Gustav Klimpt . Oiseaux Sisters . Joseph Cornell . Fabric Stores . Frank Gehry . Audrey Flack . Childhood Memories . My family . Hundertwasser . NPR . Goggleworks . Literature

http://www.marystoudt-artquilts.com/