Ellen Anne Eddy's Thread Magic Studio: Lauren Strach: A Botanical Lunatic with a Plan

Monday, December 12, 2011

Lauren Strach: A Botanical Lunatic with a Plan

12:28 PM |

Posted by Ellen Anne Eddy |

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Lauren doesn't look like a lunatic. She looks like a pink cheeked soccer mom. Look out! Stand back!

She's an emerging art quilter who attacks new approaches and techniques with gleeful ferocity. And masters them with passion. Every time she visits me, I find myself flying to my machine, inspired by her intensity.

Lauren says,

"My inspiration, like so many other quilters, comes from nature.

As a life-long biologist and Master Gardener, I thought I saw nature, but it wasn’t until I embraced my artful journey that I began to really see. My inspiration is found in the whorls of snail shells, the miniature worlds of mosses and lichens, the rugged nooks and crannies of the bark of the fallen tree, and the intricate shading and nuances in the early spring wildflowers. And, the more I see, the more I see.

The act of translating that vision in line, pattern and color into textile recreations introduces the next level of AHA! It is an ever fascinating challenge to take the experience of seeing with eyes wide open, to shape it into form. From the fantastical realism of exaggerated insects, to the abstracted likeness of the quintessential flower bud, I seek to uncover the universal codes, to bring them to life with fabric and thread. Tactile, textile translations of the mysteries of nature, celebrating the wonders of life, that is where I find my inspiration.

Lauren's work has been showed at both Paducah and Houston. She was a finalist in the $100,000 Quilt Challenge. Where will she show next? It could be anywhere. If she doesn't send it in, it's likely
to fly in on it's own.

Labels: art quilters, art quilting, free motion, gardening, life as an artist, lifestyle, lunatic fringe, quilters, quilting

2 comments:

Lili said...: i'm really into sea slugs. have you checked out their beautiful variety and bright colors?; December 12, 2011 12:49 PM
bohemiannie! art said...: I LOVE Lauren's work!; December 12, 2011 7:18 PM