Marla Morris-Kennedy

medium: textiles

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Migraine 2004 Textiles

Olio 2002 Textiles

Sails are Just Like Wings 2005 Textiles

Contact information
3328 W. Picardy Ct.
Mequon, WI 53092
Email Address: qultrm@wi.rr.com

Artist statement
I like to work spontaneously, generally without a predetermined design or pattern. This allows a piece of fiber art to grow from "my gut" rather than from a definitive sketch. I love to put together seemingly disparate elements into a cohesive piece that is enhanced with the excitement of beads
and decorative threads. My sense of style and contemporary design isn't based upon anything in the traditional quilt world. Many of my art quilts have a more cerebral basis, based upon the written word or growing from an emotional response to an event. I have been doing a lot of photography over the past three years of a
variety of natural and man-made objects. I use these photographs as inspiration for many of my designs.

The tactile nature of fabric draws me to interesting compositions that juxtapose a variety of textures. No matter what the basis of the art piece may be, I am continuously working to keep the process fresh and stimulating to me as an artist by reinventing myself and the methods I use in construction.

As I have gotten older and had more life experiences, I realize that out of chaotic and joyful events, each of us is trying to forge an identity that is marked with purpose and accomplishment. My identity as an artist and as a person is one and the same, a work in progress, always growing, learning, and changing. This is the feeling I aim to capture in my fiber art pieces.

Biography
Marla Morris-Kennedy has entered the art world by way of the back door. While working 25+ years as a physical therapist and owning and managing commercial real estate, she has sustained her love of fabric, color, visual texture and design. She began as a traditional quilt maker over 20 years ago studying conventional patterns and construction techniques and has since taken numerous classes from a variety of teachers from all over the country. Marla has participated in juried and invitational art shows throughout southeastern Wisconsin including Caggio Gallery (Milwaukee), Cedarburg Artists’ Guild Fall Show, Leenhouts Gallery (Milwaukee), the Eight Counties Show sponsored by the John Michael Kohler Art Center (Sheboygan) in 2009. She is an annual participant in Cedarburg Arts Weekend. She was the Sacagawea Award Artist for Professional Dimensions in 2007. Marla won the grand prize for the “Quilting is Art” Competition sponsored by Milwaukee Public Television in 2010 and 2011. Marla is a member of North Shore Quilters’ Guild, the Milwaukee Art Quilters, and the Cedarburg Arts Guild.