Hitting the big time

parsons22

Local artist, Marianne Parsons has hit the top 40 – the top 40 Canadian fibre artists, that is.

She’s one of 40 individuals from across Canada invited to participate in “It’s Time For Colour”, a show and sale of small quilts organized by the Canadian Quilters Association (CQA) to raise funds for the Children’s Wish Foundation. From late fall until June, 2015, these quilts and note cards will tour Canada, with their final exhibition at CQA’s Quilt Canada in Lethbridge, AB, June 4-6, 2015.

Her donated quilt, ‘Apple Blossom Time’, shows how Marianne uses unexpected materials to create her artwork. Hand-painted used dryer sheets with their web-like structure become delicate new leaves. Net, painted cheesecloth and lining create a dappled background. Petals are burned from sheer synthetics with a candle and details are supplied with machine and hand embroidery.

For over 30 years, Marianne has been teaching fibre art techniques, both traditional and innovative. Her work features contemporary materials and techniques often borrowed from other mediums e.g. painting, metal work and printmaking. Along with rulers and rotary cutters in her studio, you will find everything from styrofoam, candles, wood burning tools, coffee bags, and sheer curtains to knitted metal and aluminum cans. Nothing is sacred. If it can be stitched, it is fair game.

Marianne’s quilts have travelled a great deal, representing Canada in Japan, New Zealand Europe, and the US in international shows. In 2013, she won one of the top Canadian art quilt awards for her piece, ‘Set in Stone’, depicting fossils and rocks.

She is one of many fibre artists who are members of the local Double O Quilters Guild that meets at the Oliver Community Hall from September to May each year. For more information on Marianne or the guild, call 250-498-2370.