Interview with Joanne Weis, August 30, 2001

Partial Transcript: It's August 30th, 2001 at 2:55 in the afternoon.

Segment Synopsis: Joanne Weis talks about her life as a working mom, member of her church, and artist. Weis states that she combined her positions in these different sectors by creating textile pieces to further beautify her church. Weis describes the piece in question as a bridge piece, and recounts her creation of it for an art exhibition by her church and as an homage to the matriarchal history of her and her husband's lineage.

Keywords: Art exhibitions; Art exhibits; Dyed silk; Dyed silk in art; Fiberwork.; Kentucky art; Silk in art; Textile art; Textile artist; Textile crafts.; Women artists.

Partial Transcript: The center one is my husband's family, and all of the women came from either Germany or Ireland.

Segment Synopsis: Weis describes her piece "Mothers: Great and Grand," saying that the three sections represent her family's German, Irish, and "Neanderthal" heritage. She says the piece is decorated with tassels, beads, and bells because it represents a matriarchal celebration. Weis also talks about art that moves her, describing it as both beautiful and meaningful.

Keywords: Art quilts.; Decorative art series; Decorative arts; Dyed silk; Dyed silk in art; Fiberwork.; Heritage art; Heritage in art; History in art.; Kentucky art; Matriarchal art; Mothers in art.; Mothers: Great and Grand; Silk in art; Silk quilts; Textile art; Textile artists; Textile crafts.; Textiles; Women artists.

Partial Transcript: Do you have quilting in your family?

Segment Synopsis: Weis states that though she does not have any quilters in her family, both artistic and functional quilts are used by them as a source of beauty and warmth. Weis also describes creating commissioned quilts for extended families.

Keywords: Art quilts.; Decorative art series; Decorative arts; Dyed silk; Dyed silk in art; Fiberwork.; Kentucky art; Quilted goods; Quilting.; Quiltmakers.; Silk in art; Silk quilts; Textile art; Textile artists; Textile crafts.; Textiles; Women artists.

Partial Transcript: So, how'd you come to be a member of Prism?

Segment Synopsis: Weis discusses her membership of Prism, recounting a trip to Lexington with several other artists. Weis describes her enjoyment in being in group with other like-minded, artistic female quilters. Weis also states that though she did not originally consider herself a quilter, her decorative pieces, and her creation of wearable quilted arts, broadened her horizons about what quilts can be.

Keywords: Art quilts.; Decorative art series; Decorative arts; Dyed silk; Dyed silk in art; Fiberwork.; Kentucky art; Lexington (Ky.); Prism; Quilted goods; Quilting.; Quiltmakers.; Silk in art; Silk quilts; Textile art; Textile artists; Textile crafts.; Textiles; Wearable art.; Women artists.

Partial Transcript: So, what are your plans for the future?

Segment Synopsis: Weis discusses her plans for the future, and says that she wants to keep creating art. Weis describes the textile classes she is taking at the University of Louisville, stating that she enjoys her work being critiqued and learning new techniques. She also says that she may lose her job as a social worker due to governmental changes, and that, should that happen, she will continue to create commissioned art through her business.

Keywords: Art quilts.; Decorative art series; Decorative arts; Fiberwork.; Kentucky art; Louisville (Ky.); Quilted goods; Quilting.; Quiltmakers.; Silk in art; Silk quilts; Social workers; Textile art; Textile artists; Textile crafts.; Textile education; Textile fabrics.; Textiles; University of Louisville; Women artists.

Partial Transcript: So, how many hours a week do you work?

Segment Synopsis: Weis says that she usually spend several nights a week working on her art, and that some of her time is spent dyeing silk. Weis recounts the process of dyeing silk different colors for a piece created for a library.

Keywords: Art quilts.; Decorative art series; Decorative arts; Dyed silk; Dyed silk in art; Fiberwork.; Kentucky art; Quilted goods; Quilting.; Quiltmakers.; Silk in art; Silk quilts; Silk.; Textile art; Textile artists; Textile crafts.; Textiles; Wearable art.; Women artists.

Partial Transcript: So, why silk?

Segment Synopsis: Weis discusses her reasoning for using silk in art work, stating that she loves it, it yields a wide range of color, is fairly inexpensive, and that she feels comfortable working with it. She also discusses her use of shiny, rayon threads when working with silk, as well incorporating beading. Weis describes her weaving process and utilizing machine quilting.

Keywords: Art quilts.; Art--Technique.; Beading; Beads; Decorative art series; Decorative arts; Dyed silk; Dyed silk in art; Fiberwork.; Kentucky art; Machine quilting--Patterns.; Machine quilting.; Quilted goods; Quilting.; Quiltmakers.; Rayon; Silk in art; Silk quilts; Silk.; Textile art; Textile artists; Textile crafts.; Textiles; Wearable art.; Women artists.

Partial Transcript: So, what size are your pieces, generally?

Segment Synopsis: Weis discusses the size of her art pieces and working in a series. Weis states that it usually takes four or five pieces to get an idea for a series out of her system and that her husband takes care of her while working. Weis describing doing research for her art, recounting research she did about the Hanging Gardens of Babylon.

Keywords: Art quilts.; Art series; Decorative art series; Decorative arts; Hanging Gardens of Babylon; Kentucky art; Quilted goods; Quilting.; Quiltmakers.; Quilts; Silk quilts; Textile art; Textile artist; Textile crafts.; Textiles

Partial Transcript: Have you ever used, um, quilting to get through a difficult time?

Segment Synopsis: Weis discusses using quilting to get through a difficult time, first speaking about a piece she did after her mother's death. Weis states that although the piece has issues with its technique, the process of creating the piece helped her when grieving. Weis also discusses a quilting design about rituals and death after her mother-in-law's passing. Weis returns to her mother's piece, stating that it depicts two hands releasing a bird.

Keywords: Art about death; Art quilts.; Decorative art series; Decorative arts; Kentucky art; Quilted goods; Quilting.; Quiltmakers.; Quilts; Silk quilts; Textile art; Textile artists; Textile crafts.; Textiles; Women artists.