Art by Northwest

Art by Northwest

Art by Northwest explores the connections between artists and their local environment, capturing the essence of how the diverse landscapes of the Northwest shape their artistic expressions.​ Each episode provides an intimate portrait of the creative process, as the artists reveal the meanings and motivations behind their work. Hosted by longtime Seattle arts journalist Brangien Davis, who illuminates the vibrant culture of the region.

Julie Sevilla Drake’s quilts pop with bold color

The Fidalgo Island artist trades traditional patterns for abstract images inspired by her dreams and daily walks.

Brangien Davis explores the colorful world of Julie Sevilla Drake’s innovative quilt artistry. A poet and former used-bookshop owner, Drake began her quilting explorations in 2013 and quickly broke from traditional patterns so her art could see its full expression. She shares her specialized approach – dyeing her own fabrics, cutting and sewing without templates – for creating textile works as vivid as a painting. In the misty seaside forests of Anacortes, Washington, Drake finds inspiration in the natural world, pairing vibrant colors and incorporating intuitive stitching techniques to create bold textile narratives rife with abstract exploration. Join Brangien as she unravels the threads of Drake’s artistic process, exploring the bold beauty woven into each of her stunning works.

See the full article written by Brangien Davis.