ABOUT CAROLE LYLES SHAW

I am a textile artist grounded in the tradition of quiltmaking.  I am inspired by many fine art movements: contemporary portraiture; geometric abstraction; colorfield and abstract expressionism. In addition to commercial cotton fabrics, I use African textiles in some of my work to connect with my African American heritage. I also use repurposed clothing and vintage textiles.

My works represent different genres.  Some are art quilts made with surface design techniques. Some are storyquilts that illustrate aspects of African American history or may have a contemporary social justice message.  I also make quilts that are explorations of abstract design.

I love working in series—exploring ideas, expanding them and reinterpreting them. Some of my series extend 10 years or longer. I might take a hiatus of months or even years from working with a design series.  I believe that my ideas mature and take unexpected new directions when I am patient and explore them over time. 

IT BEGAN WITH FAMILY…

I began my journey many years ago intending to make traditional quilts for my young nieces and nephews and for our home.  I taught myself to quilt by picking up books and magazines from my local public library in Baltimore Maryland, which is where I grew up and lived until 2012.  I also watched popular TV shows such as Quilt in a Day hosted by the renowned Eleanor Burns.

Like many beginner quilters,  I made a lot of mistakes in those early quilts.  Sometimes I used the wrong types of fabric and I really wasn't sure what a 1/4 inch seam was supposed to be. Fortunately, I met the wonderful quilters in the African American Quilters of Baltimore. (www.aaqb.org)  Many of those members were, and still are, heirloom quilters. They patiently taught me all the important quilt-making fundamentals and I give them credit even to this day. Without those fundamentals, I really wouldn't be able to bring my quilting visions to life.

PROFESSIONAL ACCOMPLISHMENTS

Carole’s textile works have been juried into numerous quilt shows as well as fine art shows.  Her work is in numerous private collections. One of her works is in the permanent collection of the Rocky Mountain Quilt Museum in Golden CO.

She has lectured for and taught at numerous guilds and given presentations on modern quilting and art quilting at many conferences. 

Carole has published two books on modern quilting.  Madly Modern Quilts:  Patterns and Techniques to Inspire Your Quilting Creativity (2016) and Patriotic Modern Quilts (2017)

 In 2020, she launched a series of highly successful virtual classes and a membership program that attracts students from the US, Canada, UK, Ukraine, Portugal and Australia.

Carole was recently featured as one of five designers in the Makers Issue of American Patchwork & Quilting magazine (August 2021 issue).  She has had feature articles in Uppercase Magazine; Today's Quilter and Patchwork Magazine [Germany among others.

She co-founded the Sarasota Modern Quilt Guild and served on the Board of Directors of The Modern Quilt Guild from 2015-2017. 

LEARN MORE ABOUT CAROLE

Visit Carole’s Blog to learn more about her newest works, exhibits and other news.

Carole also publishes a bi-weekly newsletter full of news about inspiring artists she has found, arts podcasts and much more.

https://carolelylesshaw.com/blog/

https://carolelylesshaw.com/newsletter-sign-up/

Return to Carole’s Artwork Portfolio