Artists Statement

I have been working with fabric and thread almost nonstop since 7th grade, when I first discovered the sewing machine. Although I have learned the craftsmanship of Traditional Quilting, I always find myself experimenting with fabric from a scientific approach. I have used any and every type of fabric for my art quilts – from silk to wool to sheers, synthetics, cottons, hand-painted, upholstery – whatever makes the “statement” I am trying to make with the piece. I experiment with each type of fabric– how does it stitch, press, dye, color, twist, burn, shred, embellish, fuse or otherwise respond to any and every manipulation possible, and then I make up large binders full of samples. From these binders of samples come the finished ideas made into quilts.
At the source of it all is my endless fascination with the natural world that our Master Designer created for us to discover and enjoy in our walk through life. . “For by Him were all things created, that are in heaven and that are in earth, visible and invisible, all things were created by Him, and for Him: And He is before all things and by Him all things consist.” (Col. 1:16, 17) The Hand of God communicates much about Himself through His Creation – which has attracted and inspired many artists over the centuries that consciously or unconsciously interpret and express their reactions to it. “The heavens declare the Glory of God and the earth shows His handiwork.” Psalm 19:1.
Thus began my journey of the study of spiritual and natural things that continues to inspire me to this day. I found fabric and thread to be the perfect medium for me to do this. I use several sewing machines, a felting machine, embroidery machine, soldering iron, dyes, paints, beads, wool, fibers, yarns, threads and many other alternative substances to recreate the myriad textures and patterns of the natural world. I hope I live long enough to give birth to my endless stream of ideas. Even better is the chance to share it with other fiber adventurers.

Biography

Linda Hall comes from the southeastern corner of Pennsylvania. Originally from Canada, she moved to the US in 1978 to attend college in Florida where she met and married a minister. Alongside her husband she was pioneering churches and raising a family. It was during this period she began her quilting passion, outfitting her home and family with quilts, and then joining other quilters in the area making quilts for charity. Her charity quilts have made their way to such places as Russia, Japan, Austria, and the New York City ghettoes well as the local Habitat for Humanity House in Ontario, New York. After devouring many books and magazines on the subject of quilting, and joining several quilters’ guilds, soon she was tackling her first Art Quilt, designed for their new church sanctuary front wall in Ontario, NY. She received a grant to produce this work, which she then entered in her first International Quilt competition where it won third prize. She was hooked. She began experimenting with unusual fabrics and methods as an artistic medium like  artists who express  themselves with paint and brushes. After completing several art quilts she began exhibiting her work in local, regional and national juried quilt competitions with several awards and publishing opportunities in magazines. She was living in a rural area with no quilting classes available so she developed her own courses and commuted to teach at 5 different Adult Continuing Ed. Programs in surrounding counties, as well as local quilt shops over the course of the next 3 years. She has been teaching this “Quilt making For the Beginner” course in various forms and places for over 19 years now and has taught hundreds of women (and men) how to sew. In the summer of 1999 Linda and her family relocated to PA where her husband joined the Faculty of Valley Forge Christian College. Almost immediately after moving to the Mid- Atlantic region, with its history and development of the Fabric Arts, she found herself being asked to give speaking engagements and teach classes and workshops on her fiber techniques. Her quilts have been sold to private collectors and public spaces, such as the Hospice of the Comforter in Orlando, FL.  She has taught Quilting Arts  as an Adjunct Fine Arts Faculty member at Valley Forge Christian College in Phoenixville, PA and various sewing machine, quilt shops and Quilters Guilds in the Mid-Atlantic region. She has  published a book entitled, "The Art of Machine Needle Felting" with Tacony Corporation, to be used as a manual for new and seasoned machine felting artists.  This year, 2013, finds her travelling the country as a Guest Artist for the Tacony Corporation, teaching artistic techniques on Baby Lock Sewing Machines.   Linda is also member of the Studio Art Quilters Association (SAQA) and the Mid Atlantic Quilt Guild Network.  She can be reached at  lindahall526@gmail.com .