February 19, 2014

Pasquini katie lg2014Katie Pasquini Masopust, artist, author, teacher, has been creating amazing art quilts for more than 30 years. She started her art career as a painter but was then drawn to work in fabric and thread. Her work has evolved from Mandalas and dimensional pieces to very painterly landscapes and abstracts.

Katie’s easy going, energetic manner has made her a very popular teacher. She has also won numerous awards and accolades, including her 2005 induction into a very select group of art quilt professionals who have earned the Silver Star Award presented by Houston Quilt Festival.

One of the first art quilting workshops I ever took was with Katie back in the 90’s. It was her Fractured Landscape class and the color knowledge and techniques I learned from Katie have informed my work ever since. Besides the whole experience was a blast!

Katie is teaching another workshop for us again this year, March 23 – 29. This year’s theme is Working in a Series. There are still a few spots left in this 5-day class.

Katie’s response to our questions follow.

How long have you been teaching and what got you started teaching?

Pasquini katie 01smI have been teaching for over 35 years. I started teaching to help bring in money with the sales of supplies when I had my own quilt shop . I then started to travel and teach at national quilt conferences and at other quilt shops. It is a good way to make a living. Now if they could only figure out a way to beam me there so I could skip the airport part of travel!

What is your favorite part about teaching?

I really like to help the student to see their own potential. I like demonstrating what I do because then I get to do what I love. I like the interaction between teacher and student and the exchange of ideas. And of course the travel, being there, not getting there.

What would you tell your prospective students are three best reasons for taking a workshop?

To learn new ideas. to see alternate ways of finding solutions to their inspirations. To be together with like minded people.

What are you currently working on in your own art?

Masopust katie 1smI am working on a new series about landscapes and my journey to find abstract landscapes. I am working with painted canvas, cutting it up then reconstructing it to create these abstract landscapes. When I get several of them (I have one now) that I feel is a strong representation of what I see in my mind I will make that reconstructed painting the basis for a large quilt. The quilt will look like the painting but will be made out of fabric representing each brush stroke.

Where is your art currently being exhibited?

I have a piece at the Paducah quilt museum, but it is not always on display. I have several pieces on display at the Gateway Canyons resort in Gateway Colorado. Gateway Canyons is where I hold my annual Alegre Retreat.

Do you sell your work in any online gallery?

I sell some of my work off my gallery on my own web site. I sell a lot of work through my travels and my students and established clients.

What is your favorite art quote?

Color gets all of the credit while value does all of the work.

Describe your studio.

My studio is large and is right off the living room, separated by two pocket doors that open it up to make one huge room. I have two sewing machine stations, a desk for my computer and office work, a large 8′ x 10′ table in the center of the room that is covered with a 8′ x 10′ grided cutting mat that is elbow hight. I do all of my drawing and cutting at this table while standing up. I have a 10′ x 10′ pin-up wall, four sky lights and a beautiful view of the mesa.
Pasquini katie lg2014b

Name five of your “can’t do without” tools/products

  • Matt acetate
  • Sulky totally stable
  • stiletto
  • Spray starch
  • iron
  • my pin up wall.

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