Ana Sumner
Cary, NC - United States
Ana Sumner - Fine Artist
Member Since: 02/10/2013
My love of working with fabrics was inspired by both my mother and my husband’s grandmother. As a young girl my mother taught me how to use a sewing machine and we would work on simple clothing projects together. My husband’s grandmother was a quilter, and for a wedding gift she gave us a quilt. Upon seeing the quilt, I realized that there were other possibilities of working with fabrics other than making clothing. The desire to make a quilt was sparked.
It was not until I moved to Cary, NC, that I had my first opportunity to learn quilting. The local quilt store offered classes. One of the classes was in Crazy quilting, and this class let me realize that creating my own designs were possible as it was extremely creative and free flowing. With the use of techniques learned in prior workshop and classes, my creativity came together to express what I loved in nature. My enjoyment of creating in this way was so great that I began to make purses, book covers or birthday cards, as gifts for family and friends,
I have always enjoyed art and have taken painting and drawing classes. While these are fun, and are my learning tools in creating art, I found that mixed media fiber art is my preferred medium of expression. Using my imagination or photographs, I create art that reflect the beauty of the world that I see. Therefore, instead of using a paint brush and canvas, I portray the world with fabric, needle, thread and fabric paint, and instead of only quilting art pieces I mount and frame them as well.
In 2007 I start a business called Sew Unique Art with the support and encouragement of my family. The response I have received has been wonderful. I have participated in festivals, shows and I am now a part of a Cary Gallery of Artists. People seem to enjoy seeing art portrayed in this unique way. My greatest joy is to be able to re-acquaint adults, and introduce to the young people this traditional art of Needlework in a new fun and modern way.
