Artist Details
Nancy Billings
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Nancy Billings, a New York native received her BFA in Fashion Design at Pratt Institute. The main focus of her early career was teaching fiber arts to students from elementary school through college. Her movement from fashion design to fiber art was a natural transaction using the same medium in new and innovative ways. She has been a quilt maker for 25 years, encompassing the complete spectrum of traditional bed coverings to contemporary wall art. In recent years Nancy has included mixed media along with dyeing her own cottons and silks for both quilt art and art to wear. Nancy has been published in Joen Wolfrom's Magical Effects of Color, Art Quilt Magazine, American Quilter Magazine and The Miami Herald and has exhibited in juried art shows around the country including the Coconut Grove Arts Festival.
At present Nancy's art quilts and pillows are displayed in galleries in the South Florida area and through interior designers. Nancy displays her unique style in every one-of-a-kind work of art.
Nancy is a member of:
SAQA-Studio Art Quilt Associates
SFFA-South Florida Fiber Artists
Florida Craftsmen
Friends of Fiber Art
Surface Design Association
Ocean Waves Quilt Guild
Artist Statement
My obsession with fabric started when I was 12. I learned to sew from my grandfather who gifted me a respect for creating with fabric. Partner the love of color with the passion for fabric and you get a lifelong journey that has taken me to glorious moments and has also helped me heal from sad times in my life.
The freedom of contemporary quilt making has enabled me to design without restraint and create extemporaneously. By using unusual color and pattern combinations I try to get the right balance of color, value and contrast and blend them together into a harmonious work of art. With freehand machine embroidery I am able to add another dimension of texture and interest to my art.
One of my latest endeavors, making Chuppot (wedding canopies) has become a most rewarding and exciting direction in my work.
In addition to my family, fiber has been a constant companion for as long as I can remember. The obsession has grown over the years and has enriched my soul and afforded me the opportunity to meet and create for wonderful people. My studio is my haven where most days you'll find me listening to classical music or jazz while contemplating my current design decisions.
© 2006, Nancy Billings
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