Paris based Isabel Buchanan was born in San Francisco to franco american artist parents and spent her formative years in the United States, Italy and France . After studying textile design at the University of Washington and The Rhode Island school of design she studied fashion design at l’Ecole Bercot , an innovative design school in Paris that emphasized developing a personal style . From there, Isabel went on to do internships at Jean Paul Gaultier, and other designers and then for the fashion designer Christian Lacroix where she designed accessories, textiles, and embroideries for almost 10 years before moving to London where she began to create ceramic vessels . Back in Paris 4 years later she opened a ceramic atelier and taught classes and created pieces in earthenware . Wanting to explore other artistic horizons, Isabel went on to jewelry making and eventually to rug hooking and more recently, wall art quilts. Though Isabel had ventured toward quilt making in the past, the more freeing technique of improvisational quilts allows her to create quilts without the limiting rigidity of traditional techniques. Her quilts are made mostly from upcycled cotton mens shirts and the adlib colors define the quilts . One small scrap of fabric may be the start of the quilt and from there other pieces and colors align themselves to become a whole.
Statement
Quilting is a traditional craft in North America that emerged as a way to recycle fabrics in a time when fabrics were a precious commodity.
From the original necessity of reusing worn clothing came an artistic and creative venue in the utilitarian bedcover. I too use old mens shirts which , surprisingly can be found to have a wide range of colors. I tend to use mostly solids as in the Amish quilts I love so much.The abstract designs of the Gees bend quilts are definitely an influence as are the many years I worked for the french couture designer Christian Lacroix. His sense of color combinations and freedom of design have inevitably influenced what I do.
I generally have an idea when I start a quilt. This idea, however, quickly evolves into a free thought process that I almost feel I have no control over. It becomes an intuitive process and it guides me until the final result. I absolutely love this process and find it liberating.Once the quilt top is finished I then sandwich a cotton batting between it and a backing and it is machine quilted. A final binding finishes the quilt and it is then ready to be hung on a wall or placed on a couch or bed. Yes, originally quilts were utilitarian , but more recently can also be considered art and appreciated as one might appreciate a painting. Essentially it is painting made with fabrics…
Franco american Textile artist based in France.
Instagram: isabel.buchanan.studio
Instagram: woolandmissbuc
Powered by Artwork Archive