Art Quilts by Sharon

“Contemporary art quilting is like painting with fabric,” says Sharon
Koppel the featured artist in Gallery 255 at the Public Library for Union
County throughout the month of January.
Sharon learned to sew from her mother, Jane Gibson, and her maternal
grandmother. Her grandmother operated as a cottage industry seamstress in
Ohio from the 1940’s through the 1960’s. Sharon recalls seeing beautiful
gowns and even majorette outfits hanging at her grandmother’s for fittings
when she would visit as a child. When her mother retired she took up
quilting and was just beginning to explore more abstract and contemporary
designs before she died in 2006. “I like to think I am picking up where my
mom left off,” says Sharon.
Self-taught though a seamstress most of her life, Sharon knew at the
beginning that her heart and creativity lay in the contemporary and modern
quilting world. Sharon explains that she likes to think outside of the box
and outside of the block. “I have great admiration for traditional quilters
who create stunning quilts but my passion is art quilts most of which are
much more abstract than realistic,” says Sharon.
Since opening an Etsy shop in 2012, Sharon has sold over 500 one-of-a-kind
quilts nationally and internationally. Sharon’s quilts are unique for their
bold colors, curved piecing, and abstract design. “Often a quilt takes
shape on my design wall as pieces are sewn together and the creative
process unfold” she said. “My journey as an art quilter has been more fun
than I ever could have imagined.”
To view Sharon’s online shop visit:
http://www.etsy.com/shop/ArtQuiltsBySharon .