Artist Statement and resume of Rebecca Speakes

Rebecca
Rebecca Speakes, Fiber Artist

I have designed and sewn art quilts since 1981, working in my homes in Minnesota and southwestern New Mexico. My work is represented in art galleries as well as private and corporate art collections. Selected for numerous shows across the country, my artwork has won many awards. My background includes 28 years in graphic arts. During this time I became familiar with methods of design. My signature style in quilt design employs a set of grid lines over which I draw repeating quilt patterns. Other pursuits include antique quilt restoration, graphic design, beaded jewelry, and crocheted clothing.

Recently, I've created a line of table runners, placemats, mugmats and pillows. They are constructed of 100% cotton canvas and 100% cotton batiks. I apply foil-stamping to the batiks to add metallic sparkle. Geometric shapes made from the batiks are machine-sewn to the canvas with gold metallic thread, resulting in a bold design statement for your home.

My artwork is inspired by the endless rhythmic diversity of Nature. Her beautiful colors, endless shapes, cycles, and patterns find their way into my quilts. I am fascinated by how apparently incompatible colors and forms are seamlessly blended together in Nature. I strive to recreate combinations of disparate elements into a continuously flowing work of art.

All my quilts are machine-pieced and hand-quilted using cotton batiks, chintz and lame'. Some are embellished with foil-stamping, beads, stone fetishes, shells, Guatemalan worry dolls, wire, cording, and fanciful found objects. The designs are quite geometric and modern; the colors range from earthy to bright jewel-like. Often they are in unusual free-form shapes. Small rings sewn on the back of each corner allow easy hanging at any angle. Changing the angle changes the dynamics of the piece.
Felix and Rebecca