For Our Youth…

I waited until I was 50 to become an artist. If I have advice to give, it would be to my much younger self. Don’t be afraid to follow your ideas! If something makes you curious or the thought occurs, “what would happen if…,” pursue it!!!! You may change careers often. You may have different passions at different times in your life. Explore everything that comes your way and see where it leads. None of it will be wasted time.

This Quilt Red Sunflower was my first entry into the world of fiber art. I love working from photographs and exploring different uses for common materials. This was made from my husband’s photo of a red sunflower near Santa Cruz, California. All buttons and beads are sewn on by hand.

Red Sunflower
by Susan Bianchi
30" x 39", approximately 10lbs., with more than 18,000 buttons and beads
1st Place Wall Quilt, Pacific International Quilt Festival
Best Visual Image, Road to California