Hi,
I am a graduate of Southern Illinois University, where I received a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree. Living in Oak Park, I was fortunate to land a job as an airbrush artist which lasted for almost 25 years. The end came due to the sale of the company and closing of the doors.
In the middle of my career, I returned to school and finished with a Master's in the Science of Accounting. One can truly say that I am both left and right brained. But my passion has always been in the creative arts. I began sewing as a child making my own clothes.
How delightful to be able to combine two talents in one career, my skill in sewing and my passion for art. Fabric becomes my palette; selecting color, tone, value, and hue. Using an airbrush with fabric paint, I can enhance the fabric or detail of an object. Thread becomes my brush strokes, embellishing the fabric, adding soft tones or hard lines, texture, movement, and dimension. The finished result is a quilted piece of art. Thus, began Deb Baldwin Designs Company in February 2005. My focus is Art Quilts. Inspired by nature, working from photos, or an emotional response, my quilts are mostly pictorial wall hangings. I am also exploring art wear, using quilting designs to embellish or accessorize clothing. I do piecework, applique, raw edge applique, free motion embroidery, free motion quilting, and fabric painting. I will work for commission.
I am a member of International Quilting Association, Studio Art Quilting Association, the Oak Park Area Arts Council, theOak Park Art League, and a member of the Northwest Cultural Council Corporate Gallery of Artists.. I have been juried and accepted into the following shows:
(This has also been invited to be in an exhibit in Houston, Texas in the fall.)
Quilters Heritage Celebration 2006 in Lancaster, PA for my "Into the Blue" and "Lilly Pads" quilts.
- I am 1 of 25 artist participating in a show/sale called "Out of the Box", Nov.25 to December 23, 2006 at 948 Lake Street, Oak Park. I will be selling quilted postcards, artistically made neck scarves, and hand knitted shrugs.
- "Blue Heron" an "Wih Upon a Star" wll be on exhibit at Indiana Heritage Quilting Show in Bloomington, IN March 1-3, 2007.
- "A Morning Walk" was jurried and accepted into Lower Town Art Quilt Walk, Paducah,KY Apr.11-28, 2007
- "Contemplation" and "Spring Blossoms" were jurried and accepted into QHC Lancaster, PA Apr.12-15,2007
- "The Devil Within" was jurried and accepted into Denver National Quilt Festival, Denver, CO My 3-6,2007
- The Oak Park Art League Members Spring Show, , Oak Park, IL May 18-June 22, 2007
- Just One More 203 Harrison Street Oak Park, IL (Quilts for sale)
- Northwest Cultural Council Corporate Gallery of Artists, 5999 New Wilke Road Rolling Meadows, IL : Show Dates : Aug 9- Sept.16, 2007 Opening Reception Aug. 9, 2-4pm.
- Prairie Title company 6821 North Ave. Oak Park, IL Show dates: Sept. 13 - Oct 26, 2007. Opening Reception: Sept.13, 6-8pm.
- "Pour Pierre Magnol" was jurried and accepted into the International Quilt Fest, World of Beauty, Houston, TX, Nov. 1 - 4, 2007
- "Out of The Box" exhibit/sale 948 Lake Street Oak Park, IL Nov.23-Dec.23. Thurs.-Sat.noon til 6pm, Sun. noon til 6pm.
- "The Day She Got a Voice" won honorable mention at the Oak Park Art League Members' Spring Show, Feb.8 - Mar.7, 2008.
- "The Devil Within" was jurried and accepted into Quilters' Heritage Celebration, Lancaster, Pa. Mar.27 -30, 2008.
- "Life's Delicate Journey" was accepted into AQS Paducah, KY April 23,24,25, & 26, 2008