Interview with Cindy Cooksey, March 5, 2008

Partial Transcript: This is Karen Musgrave, and I am doing a Quilters' S.O.S. - Save Our Stories interview with Cindy Cooksey. She is in Irvine, California, and I'm in Naperville, Illinois, so we are doing this interview by telephone.

Segment Synopsis: Cooksey discusses her motivations for participating in the "Alzheimer's: Forgetting Piece by Piece" exhibition. She explains the design of her quilt, in which she used leftover hexagons from a past project to create Grandmother's Flower Garden flowers with gaps in the pattern. These gaps act as a metaphor for the gaps in memories of Alzheimer's patients. She describes the connections of the quilt to her own grandmother, who had Alzheimer's. She talks about subsequent interpretations of the quilt as representing a brain cell. She considers how the touchstone quilt fits into her typical style of quiltmaking.

Keywords: Alzheimer's disease; Alzheimer's: Forgetting Piece by Piece; Ami Simms; Design process; Family; Grandmother's Flower Garden - quilt pattern; Grandmothers; Quiltmaking style

Subjects: Quilting; Quilting today; Quiltmakers; Quilts

Partial Transcript: Have you seen the exhibit?

Segment Synopsis: Cooksey describes her experience viewing the exhibit and volunteering as a docent. She explains the multiple ways people connected to the subject matter. She talks about her favorite quilts in the show, as well as her participation in the Priority: Alzheimer's Quilts fundraiser for Alzheimer's research. She discusses her plans for her quilt after its returned from the traveling exhibition.

Keywords: Alzheimer's disease; Alzheimer's: Forgetting Piece by Piece; Ami Simms; Priority: Alzheimer's Quilts; Quilt Purpose - Charity; Quilt Purpose - Fundraising; Quilt purpose - Exhibition; Quilt shows/exhibitions

Subjects: Quilting; Quilting today; Quiltmakers

Partial Transcript: So, tell me about your interest in quiltmaking.

Segment Synopsis: Cooksey began quilting after a trip to Hawaii. She talks about her preference for applique and hand quilting. She also discusses her early quilt inspirations and joining her local guild. She says she designs her own patterns and connects that to her background in art. She details her evolution as a quilter, including her switch from hand to machine quilting.

Keywords: Applique; Design process; Hand quilting; Hawaiian quilts; Learning quiltmaking; Machine quilting; Quilting communities; Quiltmaking process

Subjects: Quilting; Quilting today; Quiltmakers

Partial Transcript: Do you belong to any other groups besides your guild?

Segment Synopsis: Cooksey lists the local Californian, national, and international quilting communities that she belongs to, as well as their projects and her participation in them. She talks about being awarded a first runner up prize for Artistic Expressions, a contest sponsored by Quilter's Newsletter, and her subsequent travel to France to accept the award. She describes the process of creating and selling some of her patterns, as well as her inclusion in a book called "Embellished Mini Quilts".

Keywords: Awards; California; Cut Loose Quilters; Embellished Mini Quilts; Professional Artists Member (PAM); Professional artists; Published work - Patterns; Quilt magazines; Quilting communities; Quilts on the Wall; Studio Art Quilting Association (SAQA); Traveling for quilt shows

Subjects: Quilting; Quilting today; Quiltmakers

Partial Transcript: Whose works are you drawn to and why? You mentioned Michael James.

Segment Synopsis: Cooksey talks about her appreciation of Yvonne Porcella's quilts for their color, whimsey, and humor--characteristics that she connects to her own work. She describes the conversion of her home art studio to her quilt room. She says her studio is a mess right now as she is in the middle of a project. She goes into further detail on her current project.

Keywords: Home studio; Michael James; Quiltmaking inspiration; Work or studio space; Yvonne Porcella

Subjects: Quilting; Quilting today; Quiltmakers

Partial Transcript: So, why the move from fine art to textile art?

Segment Synopsis: Cooksey explains her transition from fine art to textile art, including the lack of color in pen and ink drawing. She describes her changing attitude toward quilting, at first a soothing activity that she later applied her art background to. She talks about characterizing herself as a "quilt artist" and "artist." She talks about her preference for art quiltmaking and how she uses her skills as an artist in her quiltmaking, including the various artistic techniques and non-traditional materials she uses in her practice.

Keywords: Art quiltmaking; Art quilts; Fiber artists; Professional artists; Quilt purpose - Meditation/relaxation

Subjects: Art quilts; Quilting; Quilting today; Quiltmakers

Partial Transcript: What does your family think of your quiltmaking?

Segment Synopsis: Cooksey talks about the ways her husband and children react to and participate in her quiltmaking. She describes an idea her daughter had to make a quilt out of shoulder pads. She considers the challenges quiltmakers face as they attempt to gain respect as artists and hopes to build awareness of quilt art through an increasing representation in gallery spaces.

Keywords: Art quiltmaking; Art quilts; Family; Family life; Fiber artists; Galleries; Professional artists; Quiltmaking for family; Quiltmaking inspiration

Subjects: Art quilts; Quilting; Quilting today; Quiltmakers

Partial Transcript: Let's return to "Alzheimer's: Forgetting Piece by Piece." You were talking about different experiences, and there is a CD that Ami put out, and we all had to read our artist statement, tell me about that experience for you.

Segment Synopsis: Cooksey discusses the multitude of ways Alzheimer's disease has affected her family. She explains why it has been important to her to participate in the exhibition.

Keywords: Alzheimer's disease; Alzheimer's: Forgetting Piece by Piece; Ami Simms; Family

Subjects: Quilting; Quilting today; Quiltmakers

Partial Transcript: Tell me what you think makes a great quilt.

Segment Synopsis: Cooksey talks about the importance of color and impact in making a great quilt. She also says she appreciates humor in quilts.

Keywords: Aesthetics; Color balance; Color theory; Humor; Quilt design

Subjects: Quilting; Quilting today; Quiltmakers