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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!
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 quilt class at a local shop in 1999 and haven’t looked back. I thank the local quilt guilds, and shops at the time for helping to propel me past utilitarian quilting and into the world of Textile Art. I am an art quilter at heart, but will dabble in many different quilting styles. Textiles bring me joy. I enjoy the time spent touching and cutting the fabric, and the time spent sitting, creating my designs. My love of the quilting process grew even more once I realized how my mind would wander as I worked. How I love spending time thinking about family and friends, my gardens, decorating, the economy,... whatever. Life is so full of things, and the freedom of allowing yourself to ponder just about anything in itself, brings me joy. And that is what life should be about.... doing what brings you Joy! As I explore more ideas, I find my art and the subject matter changing as well. At first, it was all about being pretty to look at. Now, I find myself wanting my work to represent me.... and not just the me folks see, but the me that was hidden and the me that I am exploring for myself for the first time. I want my art to reflect today's issues and lifestyles.... I want folks to look at my art and be able to relate, to see themselves, or maybe even the them, they have tucked away. Maybe, we will explore who we are together through my art.
My textile art has been displayed internationally at quilt shows, art galleries and included in many publications. I have also won many awards for my work. I love teaching at quilt conventions as well as to quilt guilds and fiber groups. I am also available to lecture or judge at shows.
After 38 years in the software industry, I retired in 2019. When I am not creating art, my husband and I are known as the 'fishing and stitching' couple as we often combine road trips to satisfy both of our favorite past times, time on the water, and browsing quilt shops and art galleries. We have been blessed with two married, adult children: a daughter, Raven Valdes Kenworthy; a son, Roberto Valdes; and a grandson.
Affiliations: Studio Art Quilting Association (SAQA); EPIC Colorful Stitchers and The Return of the Bees Quilting Collective. (Past affiliations: Pelham Quilters; Northern Star Quilt Guild; FiberArts North East (FANE))
