Artistic Focus: As one who is continually awed by the beauty around us in everyday life - the breath-taking colors, exciting contrasts, inviting textures, and glorious light - I love the challenge of interpreting these wonders using fiber and stitch.
Working iteratively, I begin with mind's-eye visions of colors and details, and sometimes commit a few design lines to paper. Then, I strive to translate those visions using fabrics, threads, perhaps yarns and some paint, applying them bit by bit, until the design matches or surpasses that vision. For quilted pieces, after the basic design layer, or “top” is complete, I add an inner layer and backing fabric to prepare for the next step in design - the quilting. This is the magical stitch that holds all layers together and adds form, design, and texture. If sharing the vision requires additional embellishment, then beads, buttons, and other treasures are added last.
As of 2019, I am one of a handful of artists who use a longarm machine for just of what typically is made using a domestic sewing machine, including applique, thread-painting, and sketching.
Working iteratively, I begin with mind's-eye visions of colors and details, and sometimes commit a few design lines to paper. Then, I strive to translate those visions using fabrics, threads, perhaps yarns and some paint, applying them bit by bit, until the design matches or surpasses that vision. For quilted pieces, after the basic design layer, or “top” is complete, I add an inner layer and backing fabric to prepare for the next step in design - the quilting. This is the magical stitch that holds all layers together and adds form, design, and texture. If sharing the vision requires additional embellishment, then beads, buttons, and other treasures are added last.
As of 2019, I am one of a handful of artists who use a longarm machine for just of what typically is made using a domestic sewing machine, including applique, thread-painting, and sketching.
Brief Bio: A retired Fortune 50 corporate HR and Learning executive, Candice Phelan has an art, graphic-art, and photographic-design art background, along with her doctorate in Human Resource Development / Executive Development. She has been inspired to create fiber art throughout her life, but most intensely since retiring from corporate life in 2009.
Candice has studied with some of the world’s most talented fiber artists. She has received local and regional awards, and her work has been juried into national and international exhibits. She is a board member of Studio Art Quilt Associates (SAQA) and served as membership chair for two years, chair of the Regional Development Committee, on the Development Committee, and supports several strategic and leadership development functions of the organization. In addition, for SAQA members from across the globe, Candice has created a Special Interest Group for artists who use a mid- or longarm for their designs. Candice also facilitates an art-quilt design group in Jupiter, FL, a local SAQA group in Boca Raton FL, and is a member of Quilters Innovative Design, an advanced art-quilt exhibition group.
In addition, Candice uses fiber and stitch to support her local communities. One example is the Welcome Home partnership she founded between the Palm Beach County Quilters’ Guild and Habitat for Humanity of Palm Beach, to provide cheerful, one-of-a-kind, personalized quilted wall-hangings to local, hard-working families as they purchase and move into their new homes (see the Community section.)
Candice has studied with some of the world’s most talented fiber artists. She has received local and regional awards, and her work has been juried into national and international exhibits. She is a board member of Studio Art Quilt Associates (SAQA) and served as membership chair for two years, chair of the Regional Development Committee, on the Development Committee, and supports several strategic and leadership development functions of the organization. In addition, for SAQA members from across the globe, Candice has created a Special Interest Group for artists who use a mid- or longarm for their designs. Candice also facilitates an art-quilt design group in Jupiter, FL, a local SAQA group in Boca Raton FL, and is a member of Quilters Innovative Design, an advanced art-quilt exhibition group.
In addition, Candice uses fiber and stitch to support her local communities. One example is the Welcome Home partnership she founded between the Palm Beach County Quilters’ Guild and Habitat for Humanity of Palm Beach, to provide cheerful, one-of-a-kind, personalized quilted wall-hangings to local, hard-working families as they purchase and move into their new homes (see the Community section.)