Sandra Schlagel

Sandra Schlagel:  writer and fiber artist

journey

Moments in time are combined with make-believe to craft stories as well as fiber art pieces in my home studio.  I received a Bachelor of Liberal Arts degree from the University of Minnesota with concentrations in creative writing and art design.  My writing and art are each infused with observations made while circling the world as an international tour guide and independent traveler, as well as understanding gained at key times throughout my life while working as a graphic designer, photographer, writer, editor, community organizer, public relations specialist, and marketer.

These experiences, along with careful planning, have propelled me to this life stage where I have recently been able to return to self-employment as a writer and artist.  My days are equally devoted to both crafts – the written word and visual arts – because each one informs and lends structure and meaning to the other. 

focus

In visual arts my primary focus is making art quilts, although I also create hand bound books and mixed media collages as ideas emerge and demand realization.  My art quilts are also known as fiber art pieces; the distinction as an art quilt comes when a piece is composed of three layers and held together with thread in the traditional definition of quilting.  However, my art quilts are anything but traditional.  They are original conceptions that express emotion, experience, memory and observation.  I use cotton and other textiles, thread, paper, found objects, beads and photographs to tell the story.

In writing my primary focus is in the creative writing genres of memoir, fiction and poetry.

voice and inspiration

My fiber art style often includes saturated colors, raw-edge applique and photographs arranged in a grid-like or geometric composition.  The cloth and/or paper layers and 3D elements, such as beading and found objects, are held together by dense, free-form stitching with embroidery floss and other threads.  When I use photographs they are usually altered and faded like memory.  My work is sometimes biographical, yet appeals to the universal themes of environment, love, memory, family, similarity and difference, lifestyle and home.  Hopefully the viewer will see their story in a piece as well.

My creative writing style is conversational and speaks mostly to issues that primarily affect and interest women.

 credits

My essays have been published in magazines such as Romantic Homes, Birds & Blooms, and Gardening How-To.

My mixed media pieces have appeared in Stampington & Company magazines during the past ten years, and a fiber art piece, “Kitchen Garden,” recently appeared in Quilting Arts magazine.  One fiber art piece received a People’s Choice Award from a Willmar Area Arts Council challenge exhibit.  I won the 2015 Best of Show award at the Bremness Art Gallery for my fiber art piece, “Seasons of my life:  portrait of a young-at-heart woman.”  I was honored to be chosen as the poster artist for the 2016 Celebrate Art! Celebrate Coffee! Festival.