Cathy Shanahan’s Quilts
Artist’s Statement
I live in the circles and cycles of the creative process. It begins with the ups of inspiration and imagining followed by the joys of problem solving and watching the piece develop. For once I've had the inspiration and done the imagine, I have to start with a piece of fabric on my working wall. From then on the work becomes a joyful response to what happens on that wall. Finally comes the construction, the feel of the fabric, thread, beads, all the tactile properties of this medium. Here the process can become almost a chore, but the piece will sing to me, push me forward. At this point the inspirations and the imagining begin anew, bubbling and percolating in my mind. On to the next cycle.
I want my pieces to grab the viewer. I want the piece to draw a person from the far side of the room right up until their nose almost touches the art. And then I want to reward them with surprises. I hope they smile.
