Linda White’s colorful art quilts stitch together snapshots of nature’s diversity. Primarily fish, ducks and birds, her fabric images present the illusion of their individual characteristics with colors, shapes and patterns created with a great sense of design. The opening reception from 5pm to 8pm on the First Friday, June 7, introduces this ‘stitch wizard’ and her new collection of unique fabric creatures in the gallery.

The artist’s machine-quilted fabric collages are carefully planned. Using basic sewing supplies and a standard sewing machine, White combines a variety of patterns to create her images of wildlife. Drawing inspiration from the multitude of designs found in nature, she uses the original form of actual animals as a basis for populating her imaginary world.

Beginning with a simple drawing, White selects particular fabrics to fit her sketch, or sometimes lets the pattern in the fabric dictate the shape to be used. When the design is complete, she layers it on batting and a backing fabric, as a quilt is assembled. Stitching them together is the final touch and an opportunity to add more complexity and detail to the work.

White’s interest in fish most likely comes from the many days she spent as a child traveling throughout the US and Mexico with her family on fishing trips. Whether it was the mountain lakes of Colorado, the flowing streams of Montana and Wyoming, or the salt waters of Mexico, every family vacation was about fishing. Her fascination with birds originated with having pet birds and watching the antics of the birds in her garden.

A nine-year member of the gallery, White also belongs to the Foothills Craft Guild and participates in their annual Fine Art Show in Knoxville. As a member of the Craft Artists of Southern Tennessee (CAST), a chapter of the TN Association of Craft Artists (TACA), she has won awards in their annual shows. Other recognition of her work in AVA’s Eye Candy show, the TN Valley Art Competitions, and the McMinn County Living Heritage Museum Quilt Shows attests to the creative excellence of her fabric images.