January 9, 2015

Hollis Chatelain’s popular workshop, Dye-Paint Your Images & Bring Them to Life with Quilting, teaches innovative ways to combine painting and Fiber Arts techniques for a superb hybrid of textured and layered colors and images. This Workshop runs from April 19 to 25, 2015 at the Hudson River Valley Fiber Arts Workshops.

 

Hollis recently spent some time giving us some intriguing background information on her teaching and creative process.

 

How long have you been teaching and what got you started teaching? I have been teaching since the 80’s (in Switzerland). I started teaching patchwork in Africa in the 90’s because some of my friends were interested in learning how to make quilts and found that I really liked it.

What is your favorite part about teaching?

Meeting the students and seeing their creativity and confidence blossom.

What would you tell your prospective students are three best reasons for taking a workshop? 1. To learn something new and maybe fall in love with what you learned. 2. To broaden your horizons and challenge yourself. 3. To increase your knowledge in the basics of art which will increase your confidence and encourage you to take risks.

What are you currently working on in your own art? I am working on a blue jean piece called “Swamp Women” which is partially abstract.

Where is your art currently being exhibited? A new show is just about to open at the Visions Art Museum in San Diego. The show is called “Expressions in Equality” and it is an invitational show. I have a piece in that show called “Girls Are Strong” and it is about the Equal Rights Amendment. The show runs from January 17th, 2015 – April 4th, 2015.

Do you sell your work in any online gallery? My personal website:www.hollisart.com

What is your favorite art quote? It is better to be prepared for an opportunity and never have it than have an opportunity and not be prepared.

Describe your studio. I have a 2 room studio that is on two levels. There are glass pocket doors and three stairs separating the rooms. I paint in the upper studio and quilt in the lower studio. There are many plants in my studio because I love plants. It is a warm inviting place and I love it!

Name five of your “can’t do without” tools/products. My Bernina 1230, my 800+ colors of thread, my Procion dyes, my paintbrushes, my Prismacolor pencils.