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Renée Fleuranges-Valdes
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Artist Speaker Author Teacher
Artist Statement
Welcome to my site! I am passionate about quilting and so happy you have decided to stop by.
Please don't hesitate to drop me a line if you have any questions!
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Renée
quiltedartistry@gmail.com
Grounded in my belief that we are shaped by the sum of our lives experiences, I believe the fiber artist in me has been waiting for her turn for quite some time. I have played with so many art forms over the years, experimenting, and finding my voice. My vast worldwide travel has exposed my inner heart to the joys and pains of life of those I would have never encountered otherwise. But over the last 20 years, quilting has become my PASSION! I am known for my bright colored fabric and use them to bring joy and movement to my work. I LOVE the process of creating texture via intricate machine quilting, resulting in a piece that draws you in, to get a closer look and hear the stories of the cloth.
I believe quilting allows me to express a part of me that had been tucked away for so many years, as I focused on my career, being a wife and a mother. How freeing is it to sit down and create whatever your heart tells you to make. I think if we allowed children this type of creative freedom early on, we would have a lot more open minded adults in this world. It really is amazing where something as innocent as fabric, thread and such can take you. For me exploring life via fabric, telling stories that shaped me and those of others around me, has become a blessing. My art has allowed me to share stories I never thought would live outside of me. I hope you enjoy these life experiences as much as I. My sincere hope is that you can relate to my tales of life, growth, love, and glory... of a life well lived... via my artistic depictions in fiber.
About
I took my first quilting class at a local shop in 1999, and I’ve never looked back. Thanks to the encouragement of local quilt guilds and shops, I quickly moved beyond utilitarian quilting into the vibrant world of textile art. At heart, I am an art quilter, though I enjoy exploring a variety of quilting styles. Textiles bring me immense joy—the feel of fabric, the act of cutting, and the quiet time spent designing each piece.
My love for quilting deepened as I discovered how meditative the process could be. While stitching, my mind wanders—to family and friends, to my garden, home décor, or even the state of the world. There’s something beautiful in that freedom to think and reflect. That freedom, that joy, is what life is truly about.
As I continue to evolve, so does my art. In the beginning, I was focused on creating pieces that were simply pleasing to the eye. Now, I want my work to represent who I am—not just the version people see, but the deeper, more private self I'm still getting to know. I want my art to reflect modern life and its complexities. I hope viewers can see themselves in my work, perhaps even connect with parts of themselves they’ve kept hidden. Maybe, through my art, we can explore who we are—together.
My textile art has been exhibited internationally in quilt shows, galleries, and featured in numerous publications. I've been honored with several awards and love sharing my passion through teaching at quilt conventions, guilds, and fiber art groups. I also offer lectures and serve as a judge at quilting events.
After 38 years in the software industry, I retired in 2019. These days, when I’m not creating, my husband and I are known as the “fishing and stitching” couple—we often take road trips that combine our favorite pastimes: time on the water and visiting quilt shops and galleries. We’ve been blessed with two married, adult children—our daughter, Raven Valdes Kenworthy, our son, Roberto Valdes—and a cherished grandson.
Affiliations: Studio Art Quilt Associates (SAQA); EPIC Colorful Stitchers; The Return of the Bees Quilting Collective
Past Affiliations: Pelham Quilters; Northern Star Quilt Guild; FiberArts North East (FANE); Empire Quilters
