Elanso

Illustrated Document No. 1

Artist: Judy Coates Perez
Location: Chicago, IL

Blog:
Painted Threads

Primordial Sea

Detail

How do you describe your work, Judy?
Painted whole cloth art quilts and mixed media.

What is your creative process like?
When making the large painted art quilts I think about an idea for months (or years) before I even put pencil to paper, my process is very controlled, planning every step. When I finally start and have the design worked out, I tend to work for big stretches of time, ignoring everything I can (like house work) and work on it alone for several months working every free moment. When I get into the really detailed aspects of painting or quilting that require less creative planning I listen to audio books. After I finish I have a big down time where I work on completely different things. I knit a lot between projects and during my kids activities because it uses a completely different part of my brain.

When I am working small I will sit down and draw several ideas and then paint the one that grabs me the most.

With mixed media I work most spontaneously, initially not really being concerned with the outcome. Usually if I feel like I have hit on something I like, the work just keeps evolving into other pieces as I try out new ideas.

Arbol de Vida

What kind of training did you have which helped you achieve your current level of artistry?
I have a BFA in Graphic Design from Otis/Parsons in Los Angeles (the two schools were joined back in the 80’s). Luckily as part of the degree I had to take formal drawing and illustration classes, so I actually look back to what I learned then a lot for what I do now.

One of the most important things I learned in art school was that I needed to learn how to draw before I could abstract something. As in quilting it’s important to learn the rules before breaking them. I am all for breaking rules in art (especially quilting) but I think having the foundation and understanding why things are done helps me in the design process.

My skills with art quilting grew tremendously after moving to Austin TX, where I joined the quilt guild and formed a group with other like-minded women making art quilts. There is so much to be learned in a small supportive group. We met regularly in each others homes; trying out new techniques, sharing our work, giving each other feedback and cheering each other on. Even though I have moved twice since then, our group is still intact and we communicate daily and share our work with each other over the Internet.

There are some seriously talented quilters in Texas and the competition is fierce. It really pushed me to work on technical skills that I may not have thought so important living somewhere else.

There’s a Place Called Mars

Is there a tool or material that you can’t imagine living without?
Having a good sewing machine. My sewing/quilting skills improved dramatically when I switched from an old Kenmore in college to a Bernina. There are many great machines you can buy now that are far less expensive than the biggest name brands. My most recent purchase was a Janome 6600, (about a third the price) and I love it. Honestly you can’t do good work on a cheap low-end machine, so if you are serious about your work invest in the tools.

What inspires you to create?
My kids have always been a great source for inspiration. Their various interests over the years have inspired many of my painted art quilts.

One of the Fiesta Ornaments

What is your best piece of advice for those who would like to rise in their level of artistry?
Be open minded, to try new things, get out of your comfort zone, work in other media. Learn what you can from a technique that you admire but do not copy it, recreate it and make it your own using your own vocabulary of imagery, color and style.

What takes up the majority of your time besides your art?
I home school my kids, they are now teenagers and amazing artists in their own right. I spend a lot of my day driving around the city to their different activities and classes.

Painted batting, untitled

What’s your favorite comfort food?
I think my favorite comfort food would be a cup of English tea with cream. I hardly ever sit down to my table to work with out a fresh cup.

The Cicada House