Hollis Chatelain

When did you feel your art was your own?
I started working in the art field when I was 19 years old as a photographer. Working in 2 custom photo labs in Philadelphia taught me about color and the technical aspects of photography. Since there wasn't a photography major at the university I was attending (Drexel University), I was able to take all of my electives in photography as independent study with the design teachers. This was a unique education that allowed me a lot of freedom. After graduating I discovered my love for drawing which led me to working as a medical illustrator at the University of Geneva in Switzerland.
 
I moved back to Africa in the late 80's and eventually started playing with textiles in 1990. Since I was working in total isolation without influence from the rest of the textile (or quilt) world, I referred back to what I had learned and loved in my past (photography and drawing).
 
It never occurred to me that my art wasn't my own because I didn't know what other people in the quilting world were doing, but it did take me until the 90's to find my medium.

When did you feel you found your own artistic voice?
I'm not sure that I have found my own artistic voice or that I ever will. Even though I am identified with a certain style of work, I actually have several different styles and love doing all of them. At this time in my career I am moving into a new project that will greatly influence the type of work I will be doing so my 'artistic voice' might change very soon and I'm thrilled about that. I hope that I will forever search for new projects that will keep me learning and exploring. Maybe I am afraid that if I find my artistic voice I will be tied to having to do what is expected of me and lose freedom.
 
Was there any influence in your life that you felt that pushed your work to another level?
 
Much of my work has always been influenced by my dreams, and I started dreaming monochromatic dreams around 2000. This  changed my work. I stopped painting in full color at that time and haven't done it since. (Precious Water)
 
At this time the variety of color in my quilts comes only from the thread work. This pushed me to play more with color and to also create imagery using only thread on an abstract background (that I didn't paint). (Thirsty)
 
As I was once told (by an art professor), quilters have a wonderful advantage over other mediums in that we have the ability to create thousands of nuances of color through thread. I love that!

 
Hollis Chatelain Background

Hollis Chatelain was born and raised in Pennsylvania, but lived fourteen years of her adult life overseas in Switzerland and in four West African countries. At the end of 1996, she moved back to the United States. Hollis’ educational background is in design and photography. She has worked in  the arts in one form or another since 1976. Hollis started her career as a textile  artist in Africa. Her interest was sparked by the richness and beauty of African  fabrics which are ever so integrated into the everyday life of Africans. Her  distinctive use of colors and imagery, as well as her dye-painted scenes of  multicultural life have brought her international recognition. Hollis’ work  can be found in public and private collections in Europe, Asia, South America,  Africa,  and North America.  

In addition to creating her textile art, Hollis lectures and leads workshops on drawing, color, dye painting, quilting, and West African textiles.

Hollis Chatelain Resources

www.hollisart.com

www.imaginehopeworldwide.org

Hollis Chatelain on Facebook

Videos

Stitched follows three competitive quilters as they race to complete their quilts in time for the nation's largest quilt show. Who will win Best in Show?

Luana's Post Awards Interviews with Caryl Bryer Fallert & Hollis Chatelain International Quilt Festival, Houston, TX, October 2009.