A Creative Journey Stitched in Time: Pauline’s Story
Growing up in the suburbs of Detroit, Pauline’s journey into textile art began out of necessity. She started sewing simply because her family couldn’t find clothes that fit her properly. But what began as a practical solution quickly turned into a lifelong passion for creating with fabric.
Her creative spark was ignited in 1981 when she sold some silver coins she had saved from her time as a bank teller. With the proceeds, she purchased a Viking sewing machine, and her love for textile art truly began. After taking a machine embroidery class, she soon found herself not only teaching embroidery but also becoming a part-owner of the store where she learned the craft. Sewing became a constant in her life, and she expanded her skills by taking men’s tailoring courses through the Pinellas County extension program. Her early work focused on making clothes, often adding applique designs like the Bugs Bunny jacket she made for her son, which won a local fashion show. This project, along with others, solidified her love for the creative process.
Evolving as an Artist
Over the years, Pauline’s artistic focus has shifted and evolved. In her early days, she mostly made clothing for herself and her son, but as her skills and confidence grew, so did her desire to create something beyond the practical. She turned to quilting, where she found more room for artistic expression. One of her first applique quilts even earned an Honorable Mention in the Hoffman Challenge. Though she used a Don Addis cartoon without realizing it might infringe on copyright, the experience turned out to be a learning opportunity. The quilt caught the attention of a local newspaper, and Pauline was featured alongside Addis, who graciously gifted her the original artwork that inspired the quilt.
Pauline’s style has continued to develop over time, and she’s always eager to learn new techniques. Her love for fabric remains strong, but she’s recently started incorporating markers and paint into her work, constantly pushing herself to explore new mediums.
Notable Projects and Creative Process
Pauline can’t pick just one quilt as her favorite, but “Yard Tools” holds a special place in her heart, as it was the first time she won first place at the prestigious Houston Quilt Show. Her creative process is often methodical, starting with a detailed drawing. However, in recent years, she’s embraced a more experimental approach, influenced by classes she’s taken from other artists. One such class was taught by Jean Impey in Houston, and Pauline credits it with sparking a new direction in her quilting. Impey’s method of creating smaller quilts unleashed a flood of inspiration, and Pauline has since made many pieces using her adapted techniques.
Her workspace plays an important role in her creative flow. Living in a stilt house, her studio occupies part of the garage, where she has room for two sewing machines, a cutting table, storage, and even an Ikea sofa for her dog, Lizzy. The freedom to leave her projects in progress, without needing to clean up, allows her to maintain momentum. If there’s one thing she’d change about her space, it would be adding windows and more built-in storage.
When it comes to getting into her creative flow, Pauline has her routine. She plugs into an audiobook or turns on the TV, preferring background noise over silence, which helps her manage her tinnitus.
The Influence of SAQA and Community
The SAQA community has been instrumental in Pauline’s growth as an artist. She particularly values the camaraderie and knowledge-sharing among her local group, which helps her continue learning and evolving. While she hasn’t collaborated with other artists in the past, she is always learning from others, regularly taking classes to expand her skills.
Her advice for budding artists is simple: “Take classes.” She believes learning from others helps broaden horizons and encourages experimentation.
Looking to the Future
Currently, Pauline is working on a challenge within her local SAQA group that encourages members to use techniques they’ve learned during meetings. These pieces are small, measuring just 11×14 inches, a size she hasn’t worked with before, but she’s found the process enjoyable. So far, she’s completed six pieces and four other small quilts. The challenge has allowed her to combine techniques from various classes, even repurposing old quilts into new creations.
While she doesn’t have a clear vision of how her work will evolve in the future, she’s excited by the possibilities and remains open to new ideas and directions. Ultimately, Pauline hopes her quilts will leave a legacy of joy and reflection. “I want my quilts to put a smile on your face and make you think,” she says. Her goal is for viewers to see something from afar and discover even more upon closer inspection.
Beyond the Studio
Outside of her textile work, Pauline keeps her hands busy with crocheting and knitting. It’s a way for her to manage arthritis while continuing to create. In her spare time, she also enjoys cycling around her neighborhood, riding 5 to 10 miles a day when the weather permits.
Though she no longer plays tennis, a sport she once loved, Pauline stays active and engaged with her surroundings. If given the chance to dine with any artist, living or dead, she would choose Picasso, especially to discuss his Cubist period. She’d be content just listening to him talk about his creative process and what inspired him.
For Pauline, the journey through textile art has been one of constant learning, creativity, and growth. As she continues to experiment and evolve, she looks forward to what the future holds, both for her work and the stories her quilts will continue to tell.
