Melisse Laing

"I consider myself an art quilt maker because I approach the design and construction of my quilts much as an artist approaches a canvas. My work is influenced by many things - classes I have taken, nature, African designs, music, and my imagination - to name a few. I usually work in a series with each quilt unique but building on a theme. I piece my quilts in an improvisational manner, using primarily cotton and silk fabrics that I have dyed myself. I use no templates or ruler, but cut freely. I love the challenge of spontaneous piecing, of making everything fit together. I quilt by machine using lines that not only hold the quilt together, but also enhance the piecing or tell a story on their own. Although much of my work is rooted in traditional quilt making, I continually strive to create works that break the established mold. I feel that my current quilt making is leading me to new forms, and I find myself constantly asking the question, 'What if??'

"I have been quilting for more than 28 years and have been focusing on the design and construction of art quilts for about ten years. I have written a regular newspaper column for more than 20 years and have done freelance writing for national publications. I have also coordinated and set up a number of exhibitions, critiqued and judged.

JUDGING AND CRITIQUING


• 2002: Multnomah Arts Gallery, Portland, OR - critique for Columbia Stitchery Guild
• 2001 and three previous years: Hood River County Fair, Odell, OR - judge for quilts, knitting, crochet, embroidery
• 2000: Canterbury Park, Longview, WA - juror and coordinator for "Together and Alone"

EXHIBITIONS COORDINATED AND SET UP


• 2003: First Methodist Church, Portland, OR - "On the Wall" - solo show
• 2002: Japanese Garden Society, Portland, OR - "Essence of the East"
• 2002: First Presbyterian Church, Vancouver, WA - Advent installation
• 2000: Canterbury Park, Longview, WA - "Together and Alone"
• 1998: First Presbyterian Church, Vancouver, WA - Easter banners and paramounts
• 1997: First Presbyterian Church, Vancouver, WA - Fall and Pentecost outdoor banners
• 1995: Columbia Arts Center, Vancouver, WA - "Trans-Visions," two-artist exhibition
• 1991: First Presbyterian Church, Vancouver, WA - Advent banners
• 1986-2002: Multnomah Arts Gallery, Portland, OR - Columbia Stitchery Guild

OTHER EXPERIENCE


• 1981 to present: Columnist and writer for The Daily News, Longview, WA
• 1984-1995: Contributing editor for The Flying Needle, Atlanta, GA
• 1984-1998: Free-lance writer for American Quilter, Creative Crafters Journal, Lady's Circle Patchwork Quilts and other national publications
• 2001-2002: Lecturer for Columbia Stitchery Guild, Portland, OR; Ladies of the Lake Quilt Guild, Longview, WA; and Mid-Valley Quilt Guild, Salem, OR

EDUCATION


• BA, Washington State University, 1960 - Radio/Television Communications
• ME, University of Washington, 1973 - Learning Resources
• Arrowmont School of Arts & Crafts, 1997 - quilt design workshop
• Clark College, 1997-1998, 2002 - art design, watercolor

PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZATIONS


• Association of Pacific Northwest Quilters
• Columbia Stitchery Guild
• Contemporary QuiltArt Association
• High Fiber Diet