Awake and Aware Journal Quilt

For years I have pondered how to combine my love of fabric with art making. I’m finally taking that idea seriously and giving myself time to experiment and play! Something about drawing and painting on fabric just makes me feel like a kid again. Painting on fabric feels different than canvas or paper. Fabric is thready and nubby and bumpy, the texture is a dream to make art on. Lately I feel so inspired! A big part of what brings me deep satisfaction in this life is just experimenting with the materials I have on hand. It is surprising what you can do with a few fabric scraps and paint!

This work started about five months ago by sewing scraps onto muslin, then I got out some puffy fabric paint. I think it was more designed to create dots on rocks and stuff, and when I tried to draw with it I wasn’t entirely happy with the result. So I brought in some white acrylic paint. We got a huge snowstorm yesterday and the white reminds me of the cool chill of snow. I used acrylic paint markers and a sharpie to write and draw. An old credit card came in handy to swipe paint on the surface and smudge out mistakes from the puffy paint.

I love the way this turned out so hardcore! I’m thinking I will frame it and hang it on the wall.

Awake and Aware by Kathryn Sturges