"Nature always wears the colors of the spirit” - Sisters, Oregon

Ralph
Waldo Emerson wrote “Nature always wears the colors of the spirit,”
and the
colors and spirit of nature are the foundation in the quilts
of Jean Wells Keenan. As the 2010 Sisters Outdoor Quilt Show Poster Artist,
show founder, author, shop owner and quilting inspiration to
thousands, Jean Wells has always been inspired by the colors,
textures and patterns found in nature.

High Desert Gallery, is honored to host an artist reception for Jean Wells at our Sisters location, 281 W Cascade at Oak, on Thursday, July 8, from 3:00pm to 6:30pm, as well as Jean's first art gallery exhibition, "Inspired Journey", from July 2 through July 18, and an Around the Block Fiber Stroll artist reception on Saturday, July 3, from 2 to 6pm. With so many great events planned, we wanted to share some of the "behind-the-scenes" information about Jean.  We recently asked her to
tell us how she translates the natural world
using fabric and quilting technique. Here is some of what she had to
say.

HDG:
When designing your quilts, where do you find that unexpected moment
of inspiration?

Jean
Wells: Inspiration can come in places that you least expect it. I
think your mind has to be open to “seeing” things around you. On
a hectic day filled with chores and work, the last thing I'm tuned
into is inspiration. For me inspiration comes when I'm driving to
Bend---a wetland filled with cattails in December, all in neutral
tones with a few green leaves still surviving. It makes me think
about using that color palette in a quilt - the rich neutrals with
just a touch of yellow green. The key would be to use a small amount
of the right yellow green to make the neutral palette sing in
elegance.

Or
driving over the pass to Salem on a stormy day with the grey sky
overhead, looking out into the burned area and seeing the black
silhouettes of the trees and thinking about “line”. How could I
design a quilt using the amazing line work that I am seeing.....it
would need to be a vertical quilt to capture the granduer of the
strong lines. And now I am seeing the shapes of the land behind the
trees. Think about layers, I say to myself. What will become of these
ideas. I tuck these thoughts and images into my journal when I get
home. Part of the process for me is collecting and processing ideas
and having time to think about possibilities. It is never
ending.

For instance, a quick trip to Whole Foods for produce
and I am awestruck. I love how they organize the vegetables, stacking
fluffy lettuce next to leeks, and then there are the beets. Not only
is it a feast for the tummy but also the senses. Texture, color,
shape, and scale----seeing how all of these work together in the
scheme of things is inspiring. Green, being my favorite color since I
can remember, I always feel refreshed. Green is like a neutral to me.
I often tell my students that some form of green can save the day in
a quilt. I like all greens from the yellow greens to sage, emerald,
and pine.

HDG:
Do you have a favorite quilting technique?

Jean
Wells: I love to piece little pieces together creating a larger shape
that can stand alone or be part of a composition, but the sewing of
two pieces of fabric together is energizing to me. My favorite way to
work is to pick a palette and throw in something unexpected that jars
the other fabrics slightly. Cut strips off of the fabrics and just
start sewing things together. Once I have some units done then go to
the design wall and start composing.

HDG:
So many of your quilts relate to the natural world - was this always
the foundation of your work?

Jean
Wells: Nature has always been the foundation of my work. As a child I
was a little nature girl. I loved learning the names of trees and
wildflowers when we would go camping. And I have always loved to hike
and see different parts of the country. I have become an avid
gardener and enjoy the intimacy of nature when you look close up at
detail. Many of my quilting lines and ideas come from the detail that
mother nature presents to us.

HDG:
Do you remember your first quilt?

Jean Wells: My first quilt was a small wall hanging with a teddy bear on it
for the wall in my now 40 year old son’s room. I still have it
today.

HDG:
What excites you about fabric, color, pattern, and the craftsman-like
skills of a master quilter?

Jean
Wells: What excites me about quilting----I love pattern, color,
texture and the challenge of creating original designs in quilting. I
am not one that likes to make 40 blocks alike anymore. I enjoy the
decision making during the process and am sad when it ends. I really
can’t get enough of the creative process. There is always one more
quilt to make or another color palette to try out. I just love to
sew!

Artist
Reception for Jean Wells Keenan

When:
Thursday, July 8, 2010

Time:
3-6:30pm

Where:
High Desert Gallery, 281 W Cascade Ave Sisters OR 97759

Information: Jean Wells Keenan Artist Reception

Contact:
High Desert Gallery at 541-549-6250 541-549-6250 or
www.highdesertgallery.com

Activities:
Enjoy Live Music with Katie Cavanaugh, wine and refreshments. Meet
the artist, share good conversation and collect great art!

Other
Important Dates Featuring Jean Wells-Keenan:

Saturday
July 3, 2010. Around The Block Fiber Art Stroll featuring an Artist
Reception for Jean Wells-Keenan and Trisha Hassler.

July
Artist Feature: July2 through July 18 "Inspired Journey"
Exhibition and Sale of original quilts by Jean Wells.

Throughout
Quilt Show Week High Desert Gallery will be keeping extended hours,
from 10am to 7pm or later. Come in and see new art, familiar artists,
and some unexpected surprises, too. A hoot for sure!  Visit: Quilt Show Week Activities at High Desert Gallery

All
Events are free and open to the public.  To find out more about
the events, the artists, or High Desert Gallery, please contact us at
541-549-6250 541-549-6250, or visit us on the web at
www.highdesertgallery.com.

Fine Art Quilts by Jean Wells Keenan (top to bottom):

Hidden Stone 83" x 45", Stone III 28" x 34", Stone II 35" x 45"

About High Desert Gallery:  High Desert Gallery & Custom Framing, The
Art & Soul of Central Oregon™ is an award winning fine art and
custom picture framing gallery with retail gallery locations in Bend,
Oregon and Sisters Oregon. High Desert Frameworks! the award-winning
framing studio for the gallery is located at 61 NW Oregon Avenue at
Lava in downtown Bend, Oregon. The gallery specializes in Central
Oregon Artists & Beyond™ and Stellar Custom Framing. For more
information please visit: www.highdesertgallery.com or call toll free
1-866-549-6250.