Cindy Grisdela

Flora, 2021

cotton fabric, batting, thread, canvas 20" x 16"

Flora is a study in line and shape using a subdued color palette. Vertical stitching lines add texture.

Cindy Grisdela

Abstract Akimbo, 2019

cotton fabric, batting, thread 57" x 50"

Abstract Akimbo is a study in color, line, and shape. I created the design improvisationally, cutting the shapes out freehand and laying everything out on the design wall before anything was sewn together.

Cindy Grisdela

Fractured Time, 2019

cotton fabric, batting, thread 53" x 52"

Fractured Time celebrates curves cut freehand without a ruler. Creating lines and shapes directly out of fabric is a liberating dialogue with my materials. I wanted to explore a variety of blues set against black with a pop of red. Free motion quilting in a variety of motifs adds texture.

Cindy Grisdela

Kaleidoscope, 2018

cotton fabric, batting, thread 57" x 57"

Kaleidoscope is a celebration of curves. I challenged myself to work large, cutting the curves freehand without using templates. Creating lines and shapes directly out of fabric is liberating, engaging me in a dialogue with my materials. The final touch is the texture created by the vertical stitching lines, pulling the composition into a cohesive whole.

Cindy Grisdela

Fireflies, 2020

cotton fabric, batting, thread 52" x 23"

Fireflies is another in the series that celebrates cutting curves freehand without a pattern or template. I was interested in how the warm colors interacted with the dark background, as well as the various lines–some wide and some very narrow–and the shapes of the dancing dots against those lines. Densely free motion quilted with different motifs in different areas, including pebbles, waves, spirals, and ribbon candy.

Cindy Grisdela

Color Grid, 2020

cotton fabric, batting, thread 52" x 44"

Many of my designs start out with scraps from other projects and Color Grid was no exception. I usually don’t know exactly what the piece is going to look like when I start–this one began with 4″ squares of bright Improv blocks, grounded with neutrals and black stripes. The colors seem to float across the background grid, which is where the name came from. Irregularly spaced vertical lines in a soft pastel thread adds texture.

Cindy Grisdela

Aquarius, 2018

cotton fabric, variegated thread 53" x 47"

Cindy Grisdela

Butterfly Wings, 2018

cotton fabric, batting, variegated thread 65" x 67"

Cindy Grisdela

Confetti, 2018

cotton fabric, batting, variegated thread 46" x 46"