Most of my life, I have made art. Often the tools were different. Sometimes they consisted of paints and brushes, occasionally words and a pen; often my choice was a camera. Most recently, a needle, thread and palette of colorful fabrics have been my tools of choice.

Frequently, I combine the tools I have used in the past in conjunction with my quilting. Often I go to my slides for inspiration and ideas. Sometimes the images from my photographs find their way onto the fabric and become part of my quilt. Just as often, I may need to embellish my quilts with paint.

My work is inspired by nature and guided by color.

Classes Offered

“Fabricating Nature”

This class is designed to teach any student how to create a pictorial wall hanging using a photograph or a drawing.   In this class you will learn:

·         How to draw elements in simple form eliminating details.

·         How to choose the right fabric by viewing fabric with a different eye.

·         The methods I use for construction.

·         How to enhance the finished design with paints and thread.

"Gardening With Fabric"

This class is designed for all skill levels and lots of fun. In this class we will talk about:

·         Design

·         Choosing  fabrics

·         How to make flowers and leaves

·         Painting to show depth and enhance design

"Cannibalized Drunkard’s Path" and more...

The definition of a cannibalized block: A block that has been pieced then cut apart using a pattern such as the “Drunkard’s Path” and/or “Fair Play”. Each time I teach this class I learn new and exciting ways to combine the blocks.

You need a large variety of high contrast fabrics. I use pieces no smaller than fat quarters and as many different fabrics as I have in my stash. I have seen one quilt that used 100 different batiks. I always like a sprinkling of unexpected color or fabric to add zest and sparkle. The mechanics of this class can be taught in a six-hour class. The most fun comes when you put the blocks together and see the never-ending design possibilities.

This program can be taught as a one or two day class. Day one is basic construction with simple design. Day two is expanded design possibilities and artistic interpretation.

Resume

Exhibitions

• Visions Art Quilt Gallery, San Diego CA  Nov. 10 - Jan. 14 2007
• NCQS 2007
  • The AQS 2007 Quilt Explosion, Nashville, TN
  • National Historic Oregon Trail Intrepretive Center June - September 2007
  • International Quilt Association, Houston, TX 2007
• AQS Quilt Show & Contest, Paducah, Ky. 2006
• “The Nature of Quilts” Marilyn H. Wall and Diana Pickens, Fran Hanson Discovery Center, SC Botanical Gardens, Clemson, SC.  Jan-Mar 2006
• Focus Fabric Art Exhibit,  Fran Hanson Discovery Center, SC Botanical Gardens, Clemson, SC  2005
• Focus Fabric Art Exhibit, Spartanburg County Museum of Art, Spartanburg, SC 2005
• "Sew colorful! Celebration Quilts", Anderson County Arts Center, Anderson, SC, 9/6/02 - 10/18/02
• "Focus: An Exhibition of Fiber Artists", Pickens County Art Museum, Pickens, SC, 6/8/02 - 7/27/02
• "Fabric Art by Focus: 10 Upstate Fabric Artists", the Spartanburg County Museum of Art, Spartanburg, SC, 3/4/02-4/21/02
• "Focus: Art Quilts", Brooks Center for the Performing Arts,Clemson University, Clemson, SC, 9/4/01-9/14/01 and 1/15/02-1/30/02
• Focus Fabric Art Exhibit, Erskin College, Due West, SC 2001
• QSC-South Carolina State Quilt Show, Aiken SC, "Honorable Mention", 2000
• Pacific International Quilt Festival, Santa Clara CA, 1999
• Nimble Thimbles Quilt Show, Fountain Inn SC, "Viewer's Choice Winner", 1999
• Upstairs Gallery, Tryon NC "Works of Iron-Walls of Cloth" 1999
• American Quilt Society, Paducah KY, juried exhibit, 1998
• Quilt America, Indianapolis IN, juried exhibit, 1997
• University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa AL, mixed media juried exhibit, 1997
• Heritage House, Tuscaloosa AL, one-woman show, 1997
• Tuscaloosa Arts Council, Tuscaloosa AL, mixed media juried exhibit, 1996
• West Alabama Quilter's Guild, Tuscaloosa AL, "Honorable Mention", 1996
• Quilt Alabama, Birmingham AL, juried show, "Second Place" and "Honorable Mention", 1996
• Birmingham Quilt Guild, Birmingham AL, "Second Place" and "Honorable Mention", 1996

Publications

• Feature article in the Tribune News, Simpsonville SC, 1998
• Quilt World, 1996
• Quilter's Gallery1996

Commissions

“Garden Escapes”  4’ x 5’

Designed and constructed by Marilyn H. Wall

Quilted by Diana Pickens

Hangs as a permanent installment in the art gallery of Fran Hanson Discovery Center

SC Botanical Gardens, Clemson, SC