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, the Oak Park Art League, and was a member of the Northwest Cultural Council Corporate Gallery of Artists(2007-2008). I have been juried and accepted into the following shows:
2010
"Digilily" and "Hambone" were accepted into AQS Quilt show in Paducah, KY April 21 - 24, 2010.
"Friends of the Oak Park Conservatory" and "Floral Soiree" were accepted into IQA's Celbrate Spring Quilt Show April 16-18, 2010 at The Donald Stephens Center in Rosemont, IL
2009
"A Morning Walk", "Until Spring", and "Contemplation" will be on exhibit at the Oak Park Art League Members Show Oct.9-Nov.6, 2009. rececption: Oct 9, 7-9pm.
2009I will be having a trunk show Oct. 10, 2009 at pamela Penney's Textiles, Oak park, IL, from noon-5pm. See information on Artrageous www.artoakpark.com.
"Hambone" was jurried and accepted into Pacific International Quiltfest XVIII, Santa Clara, CA Oct.15-18, 2009
"Digilily" and "Por Pierre Magnol" were accepted into "Garden Party" at Highland Park, Il" The Art Center"; Opening Reception June 19, 6:30-9:00 pm. 1957 Sheridan Road, Highland park, IL. Show dates; June 19 - July 16, 2009.
"Empower" and "Brainstorm" are exhibited in the Oak Park Art League's "Spring Members' show May 22 - June 19, 2009
"Until Spring" was jurried and accepted into AQS; Paducah, KY; April 22-25, 2009
"Left Brain vs. Right Brain: A Self Portrait" was jurried and accepted into the : Las vegas Arts Council Faces of Women show in Las Vegas, New Mexico, March 23 - May 16, 2009
"Primary Cacophony" and "DigiLily" will be at the Quilters Heritage Celebration in Lancaster, PA Apr.2 -5,2009
"Excuse Me" and "Snow Crystal" will be at the Taiwan International Quilt Exhibition, March 23 - Apr. 8, 2009 at the National Tainan Living Art Center, Tainan City, Taiwan