Abstract & Geometric, by Martha Sielman

So pleased to get my hands on this inspiring new book by Martha Sielman. Since 2004, Sielman has served as the executive director of SAQA (Studio Art Quilt Associates), and now she has drawn on the work of SAQA members to compile a visually stunning volume devoted to art quilts, available from Amazon.

"These engaging works of art represent a range of styles across the abstract art spectrum. Gorgeous art quilts – 300 of them, bursting with color – capture the work of 124 major quilt artists from 18 countries. In-depth interviews with 29 of the artists help us understand their inspirations, their techniques, and their challenges.

"...Participating artists come from Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Israel, Italy, Japan, Latvia, the Netherlands, Northern Ireland, Russia, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Taiwan, the UK, and across the US."

I enjoyed the range included in this collection, from the complex, layered and intensely-worked (like Deidre Adams' painted pieces) to the clean, direct and spare (Karen Schulz's, for example). Both rank among my favourite artists. And on a personal note, one of the pages is devoted to Spontaneous Combustion, a striking piece by Helena Scheffer, dear friend and fellow member of Text'art.

Spontaneous Combustion, Helena Scheffer