December Star

Here it is December tomorrow. I am posting this now in the evening before December 1st, as I will be away tomorrow in the AM. I am pleased to present to you my December Star, Gene Black, who is an outstanding painter, quilter, and fibre artist. His blog, website, and etsy store will amaze you and get ready for some really wonderful eye candy.

Here is Gene's Interview, and I know you will enjoy every bit of it!

Interview For December

• A Bit About Me: I am an American Indian and Irish ( with a few other bits thrown in for good measure.) I create, therefore I am. I have been creating since I was a child. I love to make things with my hands. Both my grandmothers were quilters. I grew up lying under a quilting frame that was hung from the rafters on the front porch. From that I developed a sense of abstract AND a history with quilting.
• What Inspires Me: I am inspired by so many things. Today, I was inspired by the sun peeking though the early morning fog. I wanted to paint it, but I was on my way to work. Still, that memory will keep until I need it. The entire natural world inspires me. I am also inspired by the work of others. Sometimes just a color will inspire me.
• What I Love to Do the Most Creatively: Most? That changes over time. For now, I am totally immersing in fiber art, in the form of quilting or sewing. However, I love to paint abstracts, design beads to make into jewelry, and draw or doodle. My drawings and doodles sometimes become fabric designs.
• My Favorite Fabric and Designer: I don't actually have a favourite fabric or designer. I love a wide variety of types of fabric. But if you want me to pick one, I would probably say Kaffe Fassett.Why? Because he uses a wonderful range of VIVID BRIGHT colors. I am in love with bright color and good forms.
• UFO I Intend to Finish First: UFO? I only have one, but it is on a slow track. It is a quilt top that I made for my own bed using a single line of fabrics. I designed the pattern myself and actually managed to follow my own pattern. I confess that I don't follow patterns very well. The quilt needs to be quilted, but I am planning on getting it done by a longarm quilter. I don't want to wrestle that large quilt thru my machine. I suppose all my UFOs are in my head at this time.
• What's on the Design Wall Now: I don't really have a design wall, but I do have some spare blocks that are waiting to be made into a table runner.
• Who Would I Love to Meet: I think I would love to meet Ricky Tims. I admire his wide range of creativity. He composes and plays music. He quilts and has written quilting books and has made videos. I think it would be great to get a chance to hang out with him.
• If I Had One Wish: I would spend a lot of time deciding what I would wish for- probably so long that I wouldn't be able to wish for anything.
• Plans for the Future: The future is wide open. I want to get some of my fabric designs printed by a major fabric company. I also plan to "retire" to Mexico, somewhere on the Yucatan Peninsula. That is a few years away. However, I don't see myself ever stopping the creative process.

At the end of the interview, Gene said: "Thank you so much Micki. This has been really fun. I enjoyed letting you get inside my head."
I have to admit that it was fun for me to find out so many things about Gene, and thanks so much for allowing you to be my Star and for an inspiring interview!!!

Here are some of Gene's wonderful works: