Jean Wells: Dreaming in Color

Please join us as Jean takes us on a journey of color exploration and how it can be reflected in quilt design.

Recurring themes in Jean's textile art have to do with natural configurations: rocks, trees, grasses, flowers, and the land. She is fascinated with line, pattern, shape, color, and texture, and how to design with these elements capturing the essence of what she sees and feels. Her favorite quotation is from Emerson, "Nature always wears the colors of the spirit." 

 As co-owner of The Stitchin’ Post with her daughter Valori in Sisters, Oregon for 48 years she has been involved in the quilting industry as an author, workshop/lecture presenter, and founder of the Sisters Outdoor Quilt Show. Jean received the Business of the Year and Citizen of the Year award in Sisters, and was the first independent retailer to be inducted into Primedia’s Independent Retailer Hall of Fame. In 2010 she was inducted into the Quilter's Hall of Fame in Marion, Indiana and received the Michael Kile Award of Achievement honoring commitment to creativity and excellence in the quilting industry. The Stitchin’ Post was one of the first stores to be included in the American Patchwork and Quilting top ten quilt shop issue.

She is the author of 30 books, the most current ones being Intuitive Color and Design, 2nd edition, and Journey to Inspired Art Quilting. In 2020 she was awarded the Ben Westlund Memorial Award by the Deschutes Cultural Coalition of the Oregon Cultural Trust. (The honor is awarded to those who have served tirelessly throughout the years to forward arts and culture in Central Oregon.)  

Jean has participated in many gallery shows, won numerous honors with her quilts, as well as been featured as a quilt artist in Japan, England, and France. Her most recent award is a Judge’s Choice award at the Houston Quilt Festival in October 2023. Jean loves to share ideas and techniques in the classroom and online and that is what drives her creativity.

Website:  https://jeanwellsquilts.com/

Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/jeanwellsquilts/