Meet another member of the talented Island Batik Ambassador family! Lana Russel (LanaQuilts) is a passionate quilter and lifetime teacher who shares her excitement regarding textiles and color. She helps other quilters to enjoy the same level of fun and enjoyment from the art of quilting through teaching quilting and social media posts. A National Educator for Handi Quilter and a 25 year Veteran Teacher in the public schools, Lana resides in Vancouver, Washington with her family.
We asked Lana a few questions about her creative process and here’s what she told us!
Island Batik: What sparked your interest in quilting, and how did your journey begin? Was there a particular quilt or moment that ignited your passion?
Lana: My interest in quilting began when I saw a book about Cathedral Window quilts at the St Louis Arch, of all places. I was in my 20s and soon after we began our family. I was into garment sewing at the time and that took me through the child rearing days until I had adequate free time to delve into quilting. I began with the Yellow Brick Road pattern and made several of those!
Where do you find inspiration for your quilt designs? Are there specific experiences, places, or memories that influence your work?
Most of my quilt designs are influenced by nature or nature inspired designs. Many of my days are spent outside. I’m just getting into art quilts influenced by my experiences and memories. I have some sketches I hope become quilts.
Can you describe your creative process from concept to completion? How do you decide on colors, patterns, and fabrics?
My creative process begins with an experience that provokes an emotion and that determines the pattern as well as the colors for the quilt.
How do your quilts reflect your personal emotions or experiences? Do you find that quilting helps you process or express these emotions?
I believe my art quilts express my emotions from past experiences. Drafting those designs helps me deal with those emotions and I believe crafting them into quilts will help even more.
What is the most challenging quilt you’ve ever made, and how did you overcome those challenges? What did you learn from that experience?
I think the most challenging quilts I made were the early ones when I was learning. I love textiles and gathering the fabrics together so the challenge was more learning the techniques. Using the rotary cutter, mat, and rulers was so foreign to me coming from the garment making side of things.
How does your cultural background or heritage influence your quilting? Are there specific traditions or techniques you incorporate into your work?
I don’t believe my cultural heritage influences my quilting, but I wish it did. I only found out my grandmother was a quilter long after she passed. How I wish I had learned from her!
How has your quilting style evolved over the years? Can you identify key moments or pieces that marked significant changes in your approach?
My quilting has evolved over the past 20 plus years. My first quilt was a class at my local quilt shop that had us make different blocks using different rulers and that experience taught me how to use the proper tools in the proper way. Many quilts later, I began to stray from making traditional quilt blocks to more modern designs and brighter colors, although I still love earthy colors. I’ve been trying to transition to art quilts lately, so I am anxious to see that endeavor come to fruition.
If you could have any superpower to assist you in your quilting, what would it be and why?
I would love to be able to snap my fingers and have the quilt pieces all cut out for me so I could get right to the piecing. Cutting is my least favorite part of the process.
If you could collaborate with any artist, living or dead, on a quilt project, who would it be and what kind of quilt would you create together?
If I could collaborate with any artist, living or dead on a quilt project I think it would be Brene Brown. Although she’s not your typical artist, I consider her a social or therapeutic artist. I would love her to help me process my emotions into art quilts.
What are your future goals or dreams for your quilting? Are there new techniques, themes, or projects you’re excited to explore?
My future goals are to process my experiences and emotions into art quilts. I am growing tired of following patterns to make quilts and wish to make my own statements through my work.
Be sure to follow Lana on Facebook and Instagram and subscribe to her blog to see what she’s working on right now!
To see the whole 2024 Island Batik Ambassador team, please visit: https://islandbatik.com/2024-ambassadors/
Is there anything else you want to ask Lana? Leave us a comment below!