Introduction written by Leslie Stadnichuk:

I am pleased to introduce my friend Trudi Griffin, a fibre artist residing in Southern Saskatchewan. Trudi creates wonderful, quilted pieces with bold colors in lovely designs, some of which she-dyes by hand. Trudi’s pieces can be home décor and art pieces. I find her blog to be very interesting as it includes her processes and some of her experiments. Check out her beautiful designs at elementalquiltworks.com.

 

Interview with Trudi Griffin

Elemental Quiltworks

Website: elementalquiltworks.com
Instagram: @elementalquiltworks
Facebook: Elemental Quiltworks by Trudi Griffin

 

What kind of artwork do you create?

I work with fabric to create quilted items and art such as table linens, cushions and wall hangings and bags.

 

 

What first drew you to your medium?

I grew up around makers. My mother sewed many of our clothes when I was little. I played with the scraps, making little bags and doll clothes. My grandmother taught me to embroider when I was about 7 years old. Ten years later an aunt introduced me to quilting and stenciling on fabric. I love the feel and texture of fabric and am intrigued by all of its creative possibilities.

 

Where did you learn your craft?

Mostly from family members and later friends who worked with different dying techniques, etc.

 

 

What is the inspiration behind your work?

I live to play with traditional quilt blocks and untraditional colours. I create and work with simple designs and extraordinary colour. I have begun to hand dye my own fabrics and am fascinated by the ability to create unique, vibrant effects on fabric while not being able to completely control the outcome. Each batch of hand dyes is a one-of-a-kind surprise.

 

What do you hope people will gain from interacting with your work?

I think many people who admire and purchase my work are drawn in by the colour and design, but also have a connection to quilted and handmade goods. Like my own past which was influenced by makers, I have memories of embroidered pillow cases, intricately crocheted doilies, and special quilts. My designs offer more contemporary esthetics, but with the same softness and craftsmanship which are familiar to many.

 

How do you get through artist’s block?

I play. I go through my scraps bins and just sew bits together without a plan or a purpose, just to see where it takes me. Some of these have ended up in projects, some have not….yet. This clears my creative palate and connects me again with my favourite aspects of what I do.

 

Who are your mentors?

I have been very fortunate to have many mentors and models in, and throughout, my life. One of the biggest influences in cultivating my interest in fibre has probably been my aunt Barbara Koroluk. She was a teacher of quilting for many years. She taught classes and made sample quilts for her daughter’s quilt store in Vancouver. Now into her 80’s, she told me that although she no longer teaches, she will always want to work quilt. I think my love of colour and my fearlessness in using it is due to her.

 

Tell us a story about a particular piece:

My hand dying adventures began with a fibre artist friend, Alison Cowitz. We had worked in the dying room together at summer art quilt camps, but the best fabric dying experience happened during a visit to her home in Calgary one November. There was fresh snow and warm temperatures, perfect for snow dying. We spent the day setting our dye bins then watching the snow melt, to reveal the designs.

 

How has your art/craft practice changed over time?

I began quilting by hand, both the piecing and the quilting. I stuck to traditional quilt blocks for quite a while and more formulaic colour choices. I then began to machine piece and eventually quite by machine, too. I stopped quilting for a while when I went to work overseas. When I came back to Canada I knew I wanted to get back to it, but found my preferences were more modern than they had previously been. I was eager to try my own designs, experiment with colour combinations and explore free-motion quilting.

 

Who are your art heroes or current influences?

I am in awe of fibre artists such as Betty Busby, Paula Kovarik, Penny Berens and the Lubbesmeyer sisters. They bring such diverse ideas and technique to their art. Their practices are fueled by their own personal experiences and beliefs.

 

 

What are you currently working on?

I am currently working on using my hand-dyed fabric in a variety of ways. I have experimented with different fabric weights and textures that have produced different effects. I have been making scarves, cushion covering wall hangings.

 

What is your typical studio day routine?

I love to be in my studio in the early morning hours. Even though it is in the basement of my home, it has east facing windows which bring in the morning light. A cup of coffee and music will keep me undistracted and focused on my work for a long time. When I can capture this kind of flow, these ‘mornings’ often don’t end until well into the afternoon.