Cindy Grisdela

I am an artist, teacher, and author of Artful Improv: Explore Color Recipes, Building Blocks & Free motion Quilting. My abstract art quilts are designed improvisationally without a preconceived pattern, a little bit like jazz music, where each decision about color and shape influences the next. The color is the first step. Putting colors together intuitively, I like to use fabric the way a painter might use paint to create graphic compositions that engage the viewer from a distance, yet invite a closer look. The texture is the second step. The stitching lines provide contrast and dimension to the piece, integrating the different elements into a cohesive whole. I do all my stitching on a sewing machine, but the stitches are entirely hand-driven, without the use of a computer program or marking ahead of time.

My work has been juried into numerous local, regional, and national shows, and I teach workshops on Improvisational Design both in-person and online.