About the Artist

Joan Sowada has lived in Gillette Wyoming for the last forty five years and has used fabric as her medium for even longer. Sowada creates contemporary art quilts in representational, abstract conceptual, and cartoon styles. No matter which style is being used, she expresses nurturing concepts: harmony, spirit, metamorphosis, less is more, connections, imperfection, and feeling safe and well.

Fabric has many voices which makes it perfect for expressing a range of ideas. Sowada uses hand painted, commercial, and recycled fabrics. Appliqué and quilting are done by hand and with a sewing machine.

For twenty four years Joan Sowada’s work has been shown in national and international shows across the country. She has created artwork for hospitals and other public art locations, such as Curt Gowdy State Park visitor center. You can see more of her artwork, read her blog, and see a current listing of exhibitions at her web site joansowada.com.

Joan Sowada has given a lot of thought to the idea of feeling okay in the world: settled, calm, productive, well-rested, loved, fed, healthy, and supported. The daily news has few examples of feeling safe and well. This show reminds people of the positive stuff of life, when people are connected and engaged and life is balanced and satisfying.

Joan Sowada creates contemporary art quilts in three styles: Representational, Abstract Conceptual, and Cartoon.

Representational pieces are often inspired by reference photos taken by Sowada. She crafts each piece using a combination of commercial, hand-painted, and recycled fabrics that are fused, machine appliquéd, and quilted. Fabrics are frequently altered with paint, markers, and thread.

Abstract Conceptual pieces depict emotions and narratives. Sowada incorporates various colors, patterns, and textures to best communicate the concepts and emotions of a piece. Each fabric selected contributes to what is being said. Pieces are sewn by hand or using a combination of hand and machine stitching.

Cartoon pieces are in response to the times we live in, exploring both silly and serious ideas.

No matter which style is used, the quilt art has fabrics and themes in common. Precious ordinary moments, impermanence, gratitude, repetition, and response to current events are common themes.

https://www.joansowada.com/