Artist Profiles

JULIA ARDEN, New Zealand

Originally British, I have lived in rural New Zealand for 23 years. I get immense pleasure from working with fabric, and developing my own creative voice, in both abstract and realistic quilts. Although I have experimented with many techniques, I generally prefer to let the fabric do the work, and use design rather than surface treatments or embellishment as the vehicle to express my ideas. Through online quilting arts groups I have made close friends in different parts of the world, and that feeds my other passion, travel. 

GABRIELE BACH, Germany

I live in Groebenzell, a little town near Munich, Germany. I love to do everything associated with textiles, but quilting is my favourite. For quilts, I love to use my whole stash, fabric, wool, beads and embroidery yarn and like to use many different techniques. The creative process is very exciting for me. Many years ago, I started with traditional quilts but over the years,  I began to love art quilts more and more. The tactile and visual qualities of fabric combined with quilting and embellishment are fascinating to me. After moving to Groebenzell, I became a member of Groebenzeller Quiltgruppe. It is one of the oldest quilt groups in Germany and its exhibitions are well-known not only in Germany but around the world.

SABINE COURTELLEMONT-MAX, Germany

Originally from Paris, France I now live in the south of Germany with my husband and our three children. I started quilting in 2004 after buying a book about quilting during a Florida trip. An ENT surgeon by profession, I am currently a stay-at-home mom and quilting helps me stay sane while taking care of my little ones.  After making traditional quilts for a while my interest for art quilts started in 2008.  I love playing with colours and fabrics. For a long time I only machine pieced and quilted but while working on my C&G certificate, I discovered how relaxing hand piecing and quilting can be. 

ANN-MARI FRANZEN, Sweden

My name is  Ann-Mari Franzén. I live in Sweden, about a one hour drive from Stockholm in a small town called Mariefred, beautifully situated at the lake Mälaren.  Several months a year my husband and I stay at our summerhouse in Greece.  I am retired for ten years, after a professional career within nursing as a teacher. I have been quilting since 1985.  After many years of traditional quilting, I wanted to push myself further so, from 2007 - 2012, I completed  the City & Guild Level 2 and 3 Certificate  in Patchwork and Quilting.

GRETA HUSEBOE, Norway

I live in Bergen, on the west coast of Norway. I have two girls and two grandchildren. I've been sewing since I was a little girl and started quilting in 2000. I also love books, letters, symbols, knitting, crochet and card-weaving . In the beginning I was mostly self-taught from books and the internet, later from Linda and Laura Kemshall at Design Matters. Beside my artwork, I've been working in the Norwegian Broadcasting with audio- and video recording and editing my whole life, and lately I also do the graphics for our local daily news. You can find my blog at : http://buds-of-may.blogspot.no

MARGY JOHNSON, United Kingdom

Life has seen a lot of changes for our family, having lived in the African tropics, sub Saharan Mmabatho, Cape Town and Johannesburg and currently the UK. In all things I crave bright bold colours. I have stitched since my childhood and explored many different crafts. Currently quilting is my passion and has been for 14 years alongside 6 years of colouring fabrics. I started with traditional quilts in strong bright colours and am now exploring new techniques and art quilts.

LYUDMILA YANCHENKO, Kazakhstan

I was born in and continue to live in Almaty.  I have been sewing since I was 9 years old, but didn't make my first quilt until I was 30. I have made mostly bed quilts, but a couple of years ago I fell in love with art quilts. Colors in nature and the joy of life inspire me.  I like colors and I am drawn to the differing textures of various fabrics. I try to convey joy, happiness, and the beauty of life in my art. I like to mix fabrics and sewing techniques, and to combine smooth and rough surfaces. I can’t live a day without sewing.  My website is www.quilts.kz

Former Members

LINDEN LANCASTER, Australia

If you could describe me in one word, I think it would be ‘creative’.  I love art, music, nature and reading. I live on a farm in Northern Victoria, Australia, which provides me with much inspiration.  Though I did not like sewing, I learnt to make traditional quilts when my children were babies. Funnily enough I have now progressed to ‘art quilts’. I have had my work displayed in various media and won a number of awards. I have recently conducted workshops and taken on commissions.  At the moment, I am enjoying working with fabric collage and surface design techniques.  My website is lindenlancaster.com.

DEBORAH WIRSU, Australia

All my life I have loved sewing and craft, having been given my first sewing machine at the age of 5. However, my passion for playing the viola took me into the world of opera, ballet and teaching for many years, as a professional orchestral musician. In 2009 I happened to attend a weekend workshop in art and landscape quilting, and have been totally hooked ever since! I enjoy exploring new techniques, dyeing fabrics and exploring the possibilities of appliqué. As someone who loves to travel I enjoy using photography as inspiration for my work.  Please visit my website at  www.deborahwirsu.com