Vivian Kapusta of Maple Ridge, B.C. is this month's featured Fibre Artist appropriately introduced for Springtime. The fresh approach and articulate nature which she blends within her masterpieces has been graciously shared below. Many fibre artists and quilters already recognize Vivian from her involvement in the fibre arts community internationally. She is also appreciated as our own National Secretary of the CQA/ACC . Enjoy this glimpse into her award-winning portfolio and equally impressive photography...Cinderella

Tom is a donation to the La Conner Renovation fund. He is for sale at the museum. Tom may make an appearance at the Association of Pacific West Quilters show in Tacoma, August 26-28, 2011.

 www.apwq.org/  

Tom, Renovation Project Manager 

Thomas ‘Spider’ Turkey will be inspecting the renovations for the La Conner Quilt and Textile Museum. As a resident in the trees behind the museum, he is aware of the importance of updating the old Gaches Mansion and returning it to the beauty of by-gone days!

*All images and works are courtesy of the artist and subject to Copyright ©Vivian Kapusta

How would you describe your own style of quilting?

My love of sewing started with my grandmother, who would comment, “If you don’t have the time to do it right, do you have time to do it again?”

My first quilt was traditional, a sampler similar to my grandmother’s quilts that had covered my bed when I was a child. The sampler taught me the up-dated basics of quilt construction. A challenge with my guild pushed me to do a landscape and I’ve never looked back. My quilts now look like my water colour paintings.

All my art quilts are my original designs. The images I use are from my own experience and photographs. An image circles in the back of my mind and then pushes forward. I pull fabrics and do a raw sketch. I sometimes make a small 8”x8” little quilt. That way, I can test the fabrics and threads. At that point, it is sometimes shelved until I have time … the strong ones rise to the surface. Some simmer quietly ….

The processes I use are intuitive and often the piece morphs into something quite different from my plan, but always they retain the feeling of the original experience.

What is your favorite workshop(s) to teach?

I like to see creativity flow and for that reason, I enjoy teaching little quilts … a small quilt is like a sketch … an idea brought forward and illustrated in fabric. You can have fun – it is only fabric! Small quilts are a great place to try new techniques and products. You have nothing to lose and lots to gain!

Another interest I have is organizing quilt shows: 

http://together-laconner.blogspot.com/

The Together show opens at the La Conner Quilt and Textile Museum on September 26^th, 2011. Fibre artists are paired with an artist who works in another media. They have chosen a theme and have worked together on one project or on their own project, in their own medium.

What are some of your favorite quilts, which you’ve created?

Seeking Serenity,

Autumn Scarlet,

Eagle Sanctuary,

Sunburst,

Pink Snow

and Kaua’i Gold.  

I belong to the FibreArtNetwork and you can see more of my work here: http://www.fibreartnetwork.com/artists-gallery.php?artist=51

My blog      -       http://vivian-institches.blogspot.com/

As well as my art quilt projects, you will see my photography.

Do you have a favorite sewing machine(s)?

For my quilting, I use the ABM Innova 18” on an Innova frame. http://maimin.com/Innova.aspx   It is like drawing with a pencil. I love working with it! For regular sewing, I use a Phaff.

How many machines do you have?

As well as the Innova and Phaff, I have a serger and a non-operating antique.

Which instructors or workshops have most inspired you? 

Sue Benner http://www.suebenner.com/index.html and Jeanette DeNicolis Meyer. http://www.jdmeyer.com/menu.htm They are both artists who turned from paint to working with fabric. Their focus is effective design. When I was painting Kiff Holland taught me about colour, depth and perspective http://www.kiffhollandartist.com/index.html

What other things inspire you to teach and quilt?

I taught sewing at high school and adult levels. I loved helping my students create something that was truly theirs … altered to fit and redesigned with their personal touch.  In quilting, I enjoy seeing students take an extra leap forward and move out of their comfort zone. I know they have learned something new when they stand back and say, “Wow, did I really do that?”

Whom is on your ‘instructor/quilter wish list’ to meet and why?

With my position on the CQA/ACC Board, I’ve met many talented national and international quilt teachers and quilters. I simply love to talk quilting! Who would I like to meet? My international quilting buddies on the Abstract Quilt Challenge. I’ve completed 5 years of monthly challenges.

What would you like other quilters to know about you?

I love traditional quilts… but, my heart is in art quilts! I can combine my love of sewing with my art and photography.

What determines your Thread choices in your projects?

The colour of the thread is paramount in my work. The fabrics are the background to my stitching. I often dye my own fabrics, especially for the skies. Sometimes I paint the entire quilt, as in ‘Sunburst’. My favorite threads are the new polyester threads with their soft luster. I love variegated threads for their sparkle. My favorites are Superior threads for the variety of colour and the quality of the threads. I also use Wonderfil and Aurofil.

Thank you so much for sharing your passion and volunteer time to benefit all of us, Vivian. 

• I invite all fibre friends to please leave her fan mail and comments below! (Click on Focus on FibreArtists for previous profiles...) (Cindy Scraba)

Comments

• What a lovely in-depth interview!! Your quilts are gorgeous Vivien! I have seen some of them 'in person' and can vouch for your excellent thread painting.
  by Karen Jurek on 14 April 2011 at 3:18 p.m.
• What a lovely interview with great pictures! Thank you both.
  by Judy Villett on 14 April 2011 at 1:50 p.m.

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