Non-formatted sample, Conrad CV

Artist Statement

When art becomes a part of your life and your expression, it moves you in ways that you never dreamed. If we could think or feel in colors, verbal expression would no longer seem important and our creation would become our vision. I thrive in a world of expression, colors, vitality, life, love, and boldness.

Art quilting is the main focus of my design work.  Creating with fabrics allows for more texture and depth, than working with paint on canvas.  I start with a painting or drawing and I take it to the next level by reinterpreting it into an art quilt using fabulous hand dyed fabrics and graphic commercial fabrics.  With the quilting, my art becomes a compilation of creative fusion.  Taking elements from many different art forms in an exciting way to approach a design. There are no rules when it comes to the creative process.  Being free to express myself is the joy of making a creation.  My philosophy is that people need balance in life…a balance that can only be produced by one of the greatest gifts of all . . . creativity.

Exhibits

•    Pump House Gallery, Lacrosse, WI, FAC: Blue World/Green World, “Serendipity” 21x21		Jan – Feb 2013
•    The Schauer Arts and Activity Center, Hartford, WI, FAC: Conversation in Stich on Abstraction, “Solar Sunset” 32x31, “Perennial Paradise” 28x36		Oct – Nov 2012
•    Bloomingdale Park District Museum, Bloomindale, IL FAC Conversation in Stich on Abstractions, “70’s Child”, 37x43, “Mystical Endeavor” 21x31		Jul – Aug 2012
•    South Shore Art Center, Cohasset, MA. FAC: Conversation in Stich on Abstraction, “Solar Sunset” 32x31, “Perennial Paradise” 28x36		May – Jul 2012
•    Minnesota Quilters 34th Annual Show, Rochester, MN, MN SAQA: Best Foot Forward, “Which Direction To Go” 12”x12”		Jun 2012
•    SAQA 2012 Benefit Auction: One Foot Squared – donation “Fleur Sauvage I” 12”x12		Jun 2012
•    Textile Center, Minneapolis, MN, MN SAQA show:  Focal Point,   “Flash Forward” 30.5x35, Bird’s Eye View, 37x33		Jan 2012
•    Textile Center, Minneapolis, MN, Member’s Show:  A Common Thread, “Serendipity” 21x21		Jan – Feb 2012
•     Sheldon Art Galleries, St. Louis, MO, FAC:  Ties That Bind, “70’s Child” 37x43, “Bird’s Eye View” 37x33		Sep – Dec 2011
•    Minnesota Quilters 33nd Annual Show, St. Paul, MN, MN SAQA Exhibit, “Perennial Paradise” 28x36		Sep 2011
•    SAQA 2011 Benefit Auction: One Foot Squared – donation “Summer Sizzle” 12”x12		July 2011
•    SAQA Trunk Show: This is A Quilt, International Group B (Asia & Africa), “Heavy Metal Garden”		Mar 2011
•    Springfield Art Museum, Springfield, MA, SAQA@20: Art and Excellence, “Bird’s Eye View” 37x33		Nov 2010- Jan 2011
•    Bloomingdale Park District Museum, Bloomingdale, IL, SAQA@20: Art and Excellence, “Bird’s Eye View” 37x33		Sep – Nov 2010
•    Simply Chicago Gallery, Chicago, IL, FAC: Some Like It Hot, “Perennial Paradise” 28x36		Sep 2010
•    SAQA 2010 Benefit Auction: One Foot Squared – donation “Spring Splendor” 12”x12		Jul 2010
•    National Quilt Museum, Paducah, KY, SAQA@20: Art and Excellence, “Bird’s Eye View” 37x33		May – Jul 2010
•    International Quilt Festival, Chicago, IL, SAQA@20: Art and Excellence, “Bird’s Eye View” 37x33		April 2010
•    International Quilt Festival, Houston, TX, SAQA@20: Art and Excellence, “Bird’s Eye View” 37x33		Oct 2009
•    Minnesota Quilters 31st Annual Show, Duluth, MN, Great Lakes, Great Quilts, “Bird’s Eye View” 37x33		Jun 2009
•    Denver National Quilt Show IV, Denver, CO, Perennial Paradise, 28x36		Apr 2009
•    SAQA Trunk Show: This is A Quilt, “Winter Carnival” 10x10		Mar 2009
•    Amazing Art Quilt, Waynesboro, VA, SAQA Regional Show, Past, Present, Future, “Bird’s Eye View” 37x33		Aug – Oct 2008
•    Holiday Gala, Baltimore, MD, Solo-show with one other Artist, Art Quilts, Jewelry, Paintings, Needlework		Dec 2007
•    Relaunch of Designs by J Conrad Website		Oct 2007
•    Launch of Designs by J Conrad Website		Dec 2005
•    Private Showing, “Chicago Night Vision”, Chicago, IL, Designs by J Conrad artwork		Sep 2005
•    Alegre Retreat, Santa Fe, NM, Student Show		Mar 2005
•    Alegre Retreat, Santa Fe, NM, Student Show		Mar 2004
•    “A Night of Fashion”, Pacific Club, Minneapolis, MN		May 1990
•    Spring Fashion Show, First Avenue, Minneapolis, MN		Apr 1988
•    Caligiuri Fashion Show, Aveda Institute, Minneapolis, MN		Sep 1987

Publications

•    SAQA Portfolio 18 – Greeting Card Collection, “70’s Child’s”37x43		Nov 2012
•    SAQA Portfolio 18, “70’s Child” 37x43		Nov 2011
•    International Quilt Festival, Program Brochures, Houston &  Chicago, “Bird’s Eye View” 37x33		2009 - 2010
•    SAQA Portfolio 17, “Flash Forward” 30.5x35		Nov 2010
•    SAQA Portfolio 16, “Perennial Paradise” 28x36		Nov 2009
•    SAQA@20: Art and Excellence, Published Book, Juried by Patricia Bolton		Nov 2009
•    Quilting Arts Magazine, December/January Issue, page 38, SAQA@20: Art and Excellence, “Bird’s Eye View” 37x33		Dec 2009
•    SAQA Portfolio 15, “Mystical Endeavor” 21x31		Nov 2008
•    Design Explorations for the Art Quilter, Katie Pasquini-Masopust, “Bird’s Eye View” 37x33		May 2008
•    SAQA Portfolio 14, “Bird’s Eye View” 37x33		Nov 2007
•    SAQA Portfolio 13, “Solar Sunset” 32x31		Nov 2006
•    1991 Award Winning Hardanger, Nordic Needle		Jan 1991
•    1989 Award Winning Hardanger, Nordic Needle		Jan1989

Education & Professional Development

•    Stewart Gill, Scotland, “Creativity Consultant”, City & Guilds of London, Accreditation: Distinction		Jan 2010
•    “Fabric Workshop”, Susan Stein, Duluth, MN		Jun 2009
•    “Thread Play”, Libby Lehman, Silver Spring, MD		May 2008
•    “Alegre Retreat 13”, Katie Pasquini-Masopust, Santa Fe, NM		Mar 2007
•    University of Phoenix, Baltimore, MD – Graduate courses		2004-2005
•    Brown University, studied Graphic Design, Minneapolis, MN		1990-1991
•    Metropolitan State University, St Paul, MN, BA Speech Communications		1994

Teaching Experience

•    MN Quilter’s, Presentation: SAQA Trunk Show		Oct 2012
•    MN Contemporary Quilter’s, Presentation:  Portfolio 18		Sep 2012
•    Quilter’s Haven, Rosemont, MN, “Color Theory Class”		Apr 2012
•    Quilter’s Haven, Rosemont, MN, “Color Theory Class”		Jun 2010
•    MN Quilter’s, Presentation: Presentation:  SAQA Portfolio 16		Mar 2010
•    IQF – Chicago, IL, Presentation:  SAQA Portfolio 16		Apr 2009
•    IQF – Chicago, IL, Presentation:  SAQA Portfolio 15		Apr 2008

Affiliations/Memberships

•    MN SAQA Regional Co-Rep, Minneapolis, MN		2011-Current
•    Textile Center, Minneapolis, MN – artist member		2009- Current
•    Studio Art Quilt Associates – Professional Artist Member		2005 -Current

Art Mediums

•    Art Quilting – Hand Dyeing Fabric, Textile Painting, Surface D Textile Center, Minneapolis, MN – artist member esign with various mediums

•    Painting – Gouache, Watercolor, Acrylic, some Oil

•    Mosaic – Ceramic, Clay, Glass – large works

•    Knitting & Crocheting – Yarn – Wool, Silk, Synthetic, Metallic

•    Jewelry – Beading, Polymer, Metal, Stones

•    Needlework – Canvas with Silk, Wool, Metallic