Building a Successful Artistic Career

Fiber arts are a fascinating blend of tradition and innovation where passionate creators can become successful artists. This past year, we had the privilege of interviewing four remarkable fiber artists: Ricky Tims, Cindy Grisdela, Lilo Bowman, and Judith Baker Montano. Their journeys and insights offer valuable lessons for anyone looking to build a career as a fiber artist.
Each of the artists we interviewed combine traditional techniques with innovative approaches. Their methods can serve as guides to aspiring artists. 

The Legend of Ricky Tims

If Moby met Ricky Tims, he might place him alongside da Vinci as "a true renaissance man.” Tims’ journey to becoming a polymath began as a musician. Born in Wichita Falls, Texas, in 1956, Tims started taking music lessons at age 3. His enduring affection for the art, nurtured through childhood and adolescence, eventually led him to study music at Midwestern State University in Wichita Falls, after which he became a keyboardist for a touring band. In 1988, Tims moved to St. Louis, where he established himself as a successful freelance music producer.

Art Quilter Cindy Grisdela’s Life in Fiber Art

Cindy Grisdela is a quilt artist, teacher, and author who has dedicated over 40 years to honing her art. She describes her quilting as “painting with fabric and thread.“ Her quilts are amazing works of art that immerse the viewer into color, texture, and improvisation.

This blog delves into Cindy’s artistic journey, her inspirations, her unique process, and her life as a successful working artist.
Her quilts and the art that inspired them are shown.

Art Quilting: a Fine Art That Blends Tradition and Innovation

In the world of textile arts, art quilting has emerged as a dynamic medium that blends centuries-old traditions with cutting-edge fiber arts innovation. I sat down with Lilo Bowman, the president of the Studio Art Quilt Associates (SAQA) and editor-in-chief of TheQuiltShow.com to discuss what she sees as the most captivating trends, the cultural influences, and the challenges faced by artists of this vibrant art form.
Lilo laid the groundwork for our discussion by explaining what art quilting is and is not.

Judith Baker Montano - The Formula for Being a Successful Artist

Judith Baker Montano is a globally recognized Canadian fiber artist, author, and teacher with extensive expertise in various artistic mediums. She grew up at the Bar U Ranch National Historic Site in Alberta, Canada, and her heritage heavily influenced her passion for fabrics and embellishments. Her artistic journey was influenced by her great-grandmother, a master quilter, and her mother, who taught her needle skills from a young age. We were able to talk with this master fiber arts and learn her secrets for success.

Explore The Healing Power of Art at The Estelle Center

Art is a transformative tool that can enhance your overall well-being, improve mental health, and foster personal growth. The Estelle Center's focus on creativity, self-expression, and community engagement makes it a valuable resource for individuals seeking healing through art.
This blog discusses art as a form of expression and healing. It emphasizes the benefits of art, such as self-expression, stress reduction, cognitive function improvement, social connection, and its impact on neuroscience.

Denise Labadie: A Quilter's Journey

Discover the captivating quilting artistry of Denise Labadie, renowned for her fabric interpretations of ancient Celtic megalithic structures. In a recent interview, Denise shared her deep connection to these enigmatic monuments, weaving threads of history and human connection into each stitch. Drawing parallels between quilting's ancient roots and the timeless allure of stone ruins, Denise's quilts evoke a sense of awe and wonder. With over four decades of quilting experience, she brings these ancient wonders to life with precision and passion. This blog delves into her journey through the ages one stitch at a time.

The Art of Persuasion: A Journey into Landscape Photography with a Courtroom Graphic Designer

Jason Barnes is a courtroom graphic designer and landscape photographer. Both roles involve a delicate dance of persuasion and education in which he aims to evoke both intellectual and emotional responses from the audience.
In this blog post, we explore Jason’s background, examining how he seamlessly combines his expertise in visual persuasion with landscape photography. We also discuss his upcoming landscape photography class at The Estelle Center.

7 Ways Baking Can Improve Your Mental Health

Baking can be a profession, hobby, or way to spend an afternoon. It can also give your mental health a boost. In this article, we list the seven ways baking can improve your mental health. 
Boost Your Mood Dr. Barbara Geisser, a neurologist at the Pacific Brain Health Center in Santa Monica, California, praised the benefits of baking, stating that kneading dough can be a good form of exercise. The Mayo Clinic reminds us that “Physical activity can boost production of the brain's feel-good neurotransmitters, called endorphins.” 

Unveiling the Estelle Center for Creative Arts: Igniting Passion and Fostering Creativity

Wouldn't it be great if there was a place where you could go to explore your creativity? A place that nurtures your creative journey and connects you with like-minded people who can support and collaborate with you? And wouldn’t it be even better if that place was in a delightful, artsy small town with a slower pace and friendly faces? If that town were nestled in a picturesque valley surrounded by mountain wilderness, it would be even more amazing. Yes, it would. That's why Jennifer Peterson founded the Estelle Center.

Think You’re Too Old To Reinvent Yourself? Think Again. Painter Builds Successful New Career at 65–and Is Having The Time Of Her Life

If you’ve ever dreamed of a new career or creating deeper meaning and purpose in your life, you’re going to love Irene Roderick. Irene–who is leading a quilting retreat at the Estelle Center in April–reinvented herself at 65. Now, at 73, she is enjoying more fun and success than ever before. Her story is inspiring because of the age at which she took a leap, but also because she is an artist making a living from her art.