About

Ann Ridge of Magic Stitches

I come from a family of artisans.  My father was a master carpenter and joiner, my mother made our clothes before they became affordable in boutiques and shops.  She knitted our socks for winter warmth and later designed herself our jumpers and cardigans. Before she died of leukemia (after other cancers) she was knitting pullovers to keep my dad warm in the Australian winter! My paternal grandmother taught me to crochet. My brother became an architect to later be a professional and successful water colour painter and teacher.

White/Black or monochrome pieces do not often figure in my work but when they do it is to reflect a design simply by ‘painting’ the image by quilting or machine embroidery with a similar colour of gradated dyed thread.  If a piece has not been specifically designed from a photo, drawing or fabric inspired then it might just take form in my hands.  This could be loosely compared to “automatic writing” where the unconscious mind takes over and the desire to create something is so personal that I cannot remember doing it.  That’s probably why I cannot talk at length about its conception, explain how the piece evolved or the specific technique used as it is often a mixture of everything. It is what the viewer sees or feels to care about asking specific questions.

The world is an extraordinary visual palette of images and patterns that catalyse my work.  This is the most important source as a concept begins to  emerge that is often triggered by a life experience, memories from the past, or places once visited.  However often even a piece of cloth can be an inspiration.  Cloth is my canvas for dyeing and painting.  Piecing textiles satisfies my desire to construct and create dimensional layers.  Extending beyond the traditional quilting experience is the goal of the personal creative