I have been passionate about quilting since 1991.
I have always needed a creative outlet, and I love fiber. Although quilting is basically a two-dimensional medium, my quilts have a depth that goes beyond the surface. Elements of the designs seem to float above the surface or recede into the depths of the quilt. My goal is to encourage the viewer to look into the quilt, rather than just at it.
Beyond the illusion, my quilts have something to say. I want my work to mean something. I prefer to work by starting with a title and building the quilt around that idea. Celestial events, botanical impressions and life experiences are common themes in my work.
My award-winning original designs have been exhibited at many regional, national and international shows.
University of Kansas, Bachelor of Science, Civil Engineering (Honors), 1983.
Iowa State University, Bachelor of Science, Horticulture (Honors), 1980.
February 1998 to present:
American Quilters Society
National Quilters Association
Association of Pacific Northwest Quilters
Contemporary Quilt Art
Studio Art Quilt Associates
Puyallup Valley Quilters
Casting Shadows: Creating Visual Depth in Your Quilts by Colleen Wise (C&T Publishing, 2005)
Journey of an Art Quilter by Barbara Olson (Dragon Threads, 2004)
Contemporary Quilting by Stevii Graves and Cindy Walter (KP Books, 2004)
The Best Contemporary Quilts: Quilt National 2001 (Lark Books, 2001)
Art Quilts: A Celebration: 400 Stunning Contemporary Designs by Robert Shaw (Lark Books, 2005)
Quilters Newsletter Magazine, vol. 35, no. 8, October 2004: Gravity
Quilting Quarterly, vol. 28, no. 1, Spring 2000: “Colleen Wise—A Woman of Many Talents”
Quilting Quarterly, vol. 27, no. 3, Fall 1999: Botanica (cover photo)
Quilting Today, Issue no. 56, Bob and Weave
Simply Quilts with Alex Anderson, #1118, Trash to Treasure Challenge
Simply Quilts with Alex Anderson, #1104, Casting Shadows with Discharge
2004: Quilts of the Pacific Rim, Myrtle Beach, SC and Honolulu, HI
Art Quilts on the Ridge, Phinney Ridge Community Center, Seattle
American Quilters Society Show, Paducah, KY
Road to California: First Place
2003: Gifts to Gold Mountain, Seattle Asian Art Museum
Pacific International Quilt Show, Santa Clara, California: Best Interpretation of Theme
Indiana Heritage Quilt Show: Judge’s Choice, Second Place (two), Honorable Mention
Puyallup Valley Quilters: Viewer’s Choice, Second Place, Third Place
2002: Small Works, LaConner Quilt Museum, LaConner, Washington
Western Washington State Fair, Puyallup: First Place
Northwest Quilting Expo, Portland, Oregon: First Place
2001: Quilts: A World of Beauty, International Quilt Festival, Houston, Texas: Second Place
Pacific International Quilt Show, Santa Clara, California: Second Place
Indiana Heritage Quilt Show: First Place
Quilt National, Athens, Ohio: “Solar Energy”
American Art Company Quilt Invitational, Tacoma, Washington: “Shadow Weave”
Tradition and Beyond, LaConner Quilt Museum, LaConner, Washington
Great Pacific Northwest Art Fair, Bellevue Art Museum, Bellevue, Washington
Western Washington State Fair, Puyallup: Quilting Award of Merit, Second Place
2000: Great Pacific Northwest Quiltfest (Association of Pacific Northwest Quilters), Seattle
“Botanica”: First Place, Innovative Mixed Techniques
“Eclipse”: First Place, Innovative Applique
Indiana Heritage Quilt Show: Third Place
Mid-Atlantic Quilt Festival XI, Williamsburg, Virginia
In Full Flight, SeaTac International Airport, 2000
1999: National Quilters Association Show, Omaha, Nebraska
Innovative Technique, Honorable Mention and Viewers’ Choice
Western Washington State Fair, Puyallup: First Place, Quilting Award of Merit, and People’s Choice
Puyallup Valley Quilters Show, Puyallup, Washington: Best of Show, Judge’s Choice
Great Pacific Northwest Art Fair, Bellevue Art Museum, Bellevue, Washington
1998: Great Pacific Northwest Quiltfest (APNQ), Seattle
Western Washington State Fair, Puyallup: First Place
Great Pacific Northwest Art Fair, Bellevue Art Museum, Bellevue, Washington
1997: American Quilter’s Society, Paducah, Kentucky
Western Washington State Fair, Puyallup:
First Place, Second Place, Third Place, Honorable Mention, Quilting Award of Merit, and Best of Category
1996: Great Pacific Northwest Quiltfest (APNQ), Seattle
Western Washington State Fair, Puyallup: First Place and Best of Category
1995: Puyallup Valley Quilters Show: First Place and Viewer’s Choice
1994: Great Pacific Northwest Quiltfest (APNQ), Seattle