Portrait of an Artist: Quilter makes lanscapes come to life

Sue Siefkin/Quilt artist

RESIDENCE: Modesto

DAY JOB: Superior Court judge, Juvenile Delinquency Court

BACKGROUND/EDUCATION: I have lived in Modesto since 1971. Although I loved art class in school, my college art study was limited to an art-appreciation course as I focused on political science and law. I already knew how to sew when I began making traditional bed quilts in 1990, after taking a class at a local quilt shop. Over time, I found that following patterns and doing intricate pieced work began to lose their appeal. The craft of quilting had begun to expand beyond the traditional. Original designs of unconventional subjects made for display on walls like fine art were appearing in exhibitions and publications. I began taking quilt art classes at annual seminars at Asilomar in Pacific Grove, where I was encouraged to do original work using collage, my own hand-painted or dyed fabric, free-motion machine work and embellishment.

EXPERIENCE: Since 1999, my work has been almost exclusively original quilt art. I particularly enjoy creating quilt art landscapes, such as redwood forests, koi ponds, tidepools and rocky gorges. I belong to the local quilt guild, Country Crossroads Quilters, where I have met other talented quilters doing both traditional and original work. I am also a member of Studio Art Quilt Associates, an international organization of quilt artists begun by Yvonne Porcella. I have traveled to major exhibits and art quilt seminars in various states. I enter my work in judged regional and international quilt shows and also have shown my work in Central California Art Association shows at E.&J. Gallo Winery and the Mistlin Gallery and at Bonsack Gallery in Oakdale.

ADVICE FOR YOUNG ARTISTS: My best advice is to simply play in whatever medium you choose. Turn off the voice in your head that says "I can't" and ignore any unkind comments you may have heard about your talent. Play without any expectation of a finished product to permit experimentation and to engage the right side of the brain. Focus on what works and keep at it; we really do improve with practice.

FAVORITE ARTISTS/AUTHORS: My favorite quilt artists and teachers (most of whom also have written books) are the late Joan Colvin, Hollis Chatelain, Mickey Lawler, Gloria Loughman and Velda Newman. I greatly admire the work of Sacramento artist Merle Axelrad Serlin.

LIFE PLANS: I plan to retire from my day job in a few years and spend as much time as possible making art.

HOW DO YOU REACH PEOPLE UNFAMILIAR WITH THE ARTS? I have developed two presentations, one called "Innovation in American Quilting" and another titled "Art Quilts: Not Your Grandmother's Quilts." Both talks are illustrated with a dozen or more quilts that are displayed for my audience. My fellow quilt artist Joyce Compton teams up with me on the art quilt program. Service clubs such as Soroptimists, Rotary and Kiwanis have heard me speak. Very often, they have had little exposure to quilts and quilt art and are surprised and amazed by what they see. I will be presenting both programs at Stanislaus County Public Library during the Third Thursday Art Walk on July 21.

Are you an artist who would like to be featured in Portrait of an Artist? Send us information on yourself using these categories: Name; age; residence; type of art; day job; family; background/education; art experience/awards/ exposure; advice for young artists; favorite artists or style of art; life plans; how you reach people unfamiliar with the arts; and what would surprise people about your art. Send us jpeg photo attachments of yourself and your work, whether it's acting, costume design, painting, sculpting, writing, etc. E-mail the information to jfarrow@modbee.com, with "Portrait of an Artist" in the subject line. Photos may be used in print and online.Portrait of an Artist