Artist Bobbi Baugh knows that everything has an inner story, one that isn’t visible from the exterior. Through her textile collaged quilts, she works to express forces beneath the surface. Visit her website to see more.
“Becoming One with the Night” Textile Collage/Art Quilt, 45” x 35”
Life experiences can come together in unexpected ways. As an undergraduate art student over forty years ago, I concentrated in watercolor and drawing. In my career before being a full-time artist, I worked in the printing industry, surrounded by the rhythms of platemaking, pulling an image, re-inking and printing again. And, from the time I created homemade A-line skirts on my mother’s sewing machine as a teen, I have enjoyed sewing. Now, I create textile collaged works and art quilts, using all of those experiences.
“How Do You Build a House? Build it Strong. So it Doesn’t Break in Two” Textile Collage/Art Quilt, 42.5” x 32.5”
Everybody has a story. Every thing has a story. Whether we are looking at a person, or a structure, or a part of the natural world, what we see is not all there is. There is always more going on. That’s what interests me.
“Saying the Magic Words” Textile Collage/Art Quilt, 43” x 34”
I’m intrigued with depicting a visible object along with the suggestion of its inner reality in the same composition. Looking at a group of houses, we see only the outside walls. But there are rich and varied lives within. Looking at a natural scene, we see the visible parts of plants and trees. But there are forces and patterns playing out beneath the surface at the same time.
“Flight of the Magical Lawnchair” Textile Collage/Art Quilt, 29.5” x 46”
Looking at a person, we see just the exterior. But there is a journey, and there are dreams and memories, inside and at work. My artmaking methods are a perfect fit with this interest.
“Lillian’s Expectations” Textile Collage/Art Quilt, 30” x 41”
Every piece I create has four component phases.
“Off Kilter” Textile Collage/Art Quilt, 34” x 42”
First is concept and composition. I work out ideas in my sketchbook to explore visual arrangements of my ideas. I enjoy working in a size of 36-48” in either dimension, so I frequently mock up the composition on paper at full size. It’s a test of the concept, and the beginning of a pattern for creating and assembling the parts.
“Neither Here Nor There” Textile Collage/Art Quilt, 32” x 44”
Second, I create the fabrics that will be used in the composition. I begin with blank cotton muslin and blank sheer polyester. The fabrics are printed by hand as monotypes, or as relief prints, or handpainted, stenciled, stamped, or resist-imaged. I frequently mix up techniques on each fabric piece. I create fabric for a specific work. Generally, there is fabric left over. So, the leftover pieces from previous pieces may also be used in a new piece. My stash of printed fabrics is a favorite resource.
“Small Expectations” Textile Collage/Art Quilt, 24” x 33”
Third, I collage. I use acrylic-based medium for collage so that the artwork is archival and everything is compatible with acrylic paint. Sheer pieces are collaged to a heavier backing to be stabilized. Cut pieces are collaged as applique.
“What if One Day all the Houses Fly Away” Textile Collage/Art Quilt, 38” x 50”
Finally, I machine stitch. I use stitching as a method of joining sections together. And on almost every piece I add patterns of machine stitching for texture and depth. The finishing is also done by machine stitch; sewn strip binding is turned for a finished edge, and the assembled work is fabric-backed with a rod pocket for hanging presentation.
Artist Bobbi Baugh at work in the Studio assembling a Collage
I have created and experimented with other artmaking methods. Working with textiles and collage is where I find the best expression for my ideas and where I am most at home.
Artist Bobbi Baugh invites you to follow her on Facebook, Instagram and Pinterest.
Bobbi Baugh’s paintings are really wonderful.They are topical and the process in making these pieces, she narrates, is appealing. Great work-keep it up!
Thanks for taking the time to look and for the nice comments. These works are textile collage – not exactly paintings, although I am incorporating a lot of painting into the process.
Bobbi, your work takes me back to childhood when beds were pirate ships on rainy days, lawn chairs were trains and planes and boxes could be anything. I spent hours sitting, reading in trees, listening to trees…you reminded me of the magic of childhood. Thanks for the trip…wonderful work!!!!
i love the children quilts so much thought put into each one. You totally inspire me, thank you.