Barbara's Artist Statement

Nature inspires me with line, color and beauty. My own photography gives abstract design in bold shapes and colors. I use solid color fabrics like watercolor tubes of paint to draw a composition. Lately, I have been adding my own surface design, mainly monoprints drawn by my own hand, much like Japanese brush painting. I enjoy quilting which adds another layer of design that brings completion to the art. All these individual techniques influence the total composition.

Barbara's Notable Achievements

Barbara Kanaya has shown in a number of regional, national and international exhibits, including being juried into Quilt National 2017 and, most recently, Quilt National 202. Having begun quilt making only after a long career in merchandising and store management, Barb soon found that she loved interpreting what she saw around her in fabric, free from rules. Since then she has been exploring color and shape in simple abstract designs, creating stunning works that have already brought her much success in her new career as an artist.