"Annette Houston loves cloth, the way it looks, feels, catches the light, blends to portray water, movement and images, and translates into an artform through quilting."




   Tactile and tangible, the allure of fabric and its potential is difficult to describe to anyone who has not caught a creative urge to capture the possibilities it offers. As a professional fabric artist, an art quilter specifically, Annette Houston uses cloth, along with paint, dye, threads, fibers and beads to create one-of-a-kind works of art to appeal to many tastes. Her pursuit of fabric arts is more than traditional and non-traditional quilts, but also a variety of wall hangings, pillows, bowls, clothing, cards, bags and table linens. She explores techniques and patterns to create original works often inspired by nature and design geometry.
   
     Her work has been displayed through Art Quilts Maine for more than 10 years with shows in Kennebunk, Brunswick, Augusta and Saco(2007); Pine Tree Quilters Guild - shows since 1980; Newport Quilt shows; Corinna Old Home Days 2006;  Central Maine Egg Festival-Pittsfield, 2005; and Fiber Fest Searsport, 2006. Annette is also a member of the Dirigo Road Gallery. www.dirigoroadgallery.com

“Everybody has an innate sense of Art; as a teacher my job is to get people to release themselves and allow themselves to be creative. Anybody can! The world is wonder-full! If one opens up to its beauties, there is always more to see and experience …and then express in an art form.”

Although self-taught in her chosen art form, she has a diverse background in the arts, first studying art at Colby College in her home town of Waterville where she grew up, the child of second generation French-Canadian immigrants. She continued her art studies at the prestigious Skowhegan School of Painting and Sculpture where she earned a second place award for sculpture. Her education was funded through scholarships and many summers working in a library, as a hairdresser’s apprentice, a cook and a waitress. She eventually chose a career as a teacher.
    She spent three years in Germany after marrying her Air Force husband, and had two children while she was there. Along the way, she continued her studies with a variety of courses and admits to “still learning,” in her many pursuits. She regularly participates in workshops and classes in fabric arts to broaden her skills.
    Starting her teaching career as an art teacher, she eventually became a Gifted and Talented Program Coordinator, because of her belief that everyone’s talents and gifts need to be recognized and developed through education and life experience. It’s a belief she has continued in retirement with her involvement with the Valley Arts Alliance, encouraging and supporting local artists. She also continues her teaching with fabric art workshops and shows.

Shown below is some recent work.

Click on image for larger view or start slideshow by first clicking on left-most image, which will enlarge it. From there mouseover the right side of picture for "next" button.