Two By Two I

Today's introductions are the first two from a group of four. I became acquainted with all four when their work was exhibited during one of the monthly Guest Wall exhibits at Art On Broadway Gallery. Terry Grant designs and creates art quilts, and Barb Sedgwick works in embossed metal design.

Terry Grant -
Terry lives just outside Portland with her husband Ray. She has been sewing, drawing and painting since she was a child, and earned a degree in art with a concentration on painting and printmaking. It wasn't until she saw a group of beautiful quilts that it occurred to her that her love of art and textiles and sewing could be combined. She has never looked back.

Semi-retired from her career in Graphic Design, Terry spends most of her days enjoying her family, working in her studio, or writing. She has had several articles published in quilting magazines and is an avid blogger (www.andsewitgoes.blogspot.com); not to mention being one of the authors of Twelve by Twelve: The International Art Quilt Challenge.

You might have seen some of her quilt work in national and international exhibits or in one or more of the numerous books that include images of her quilts. She heads to Houston, Texas soon where her quilt, "Green Thumb," will be one of her 23 quilts on display at Quilt Festival Houston. Terry was selected for this year's "Rising Stars" honor along with one other candidate. Based on this wonderful image, it's easy to see why she is being honored.

Barb Sedgwick - 
Barb is a resident of Beaverton, Oregon and her art element of choice is texture. She says, "It captivates and motivates me, and is a fundamental quality of all my work. The attributes of light - depth, shadows, highs, lows - as well as touch are major components of my hand-embossed pewter, copper, or aluminum decorated assemblages."

Barb begins with flat sheets of metal and uses ancient techniques from Greece, the Middle East, European repousse, and Mexican repujado to magically transform plain sheets of metal into designs of whimsical animals, flora and fauna, geometric abstracts, everyday objects, etc. She then finishes her pieces with patina and polish which further bring out the texture and design, and applies a sealant. Wooden boxes, switch plates, journals, pieces of weathered wood, etc. become the supports to which Barb attaches her embossed designs - creating items that are both useful and beautiful.

"I thoroughly enjoy seeing people smile when they experience my creations and hope my artistic expression brings happiness to those who own my unique original pieces."