Today we’d like to introduce you to Bridget O’flaherty

Hi Bridget, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.

The textile world has been a mainstay in my life since I was 20 years old. I began quilting with my mother, she was teaching out of her home and I did a sampler quilt all by hand. I wasn’t excited about handwork and didn’t think I would quilt again, but I enjoyed the process and was thrilled to complete my handmade quilt 2 years later. It wasn’t until she opened a shop, let me work there and exposed me to the amazing world of art quilts that I found my path. After taking some classes with contemporary quilters, I dove into geometrics and linear pieces but was keenly interested in landscapes. I travelled west in the mid-90s and took a week-long class with Joen Wolfrom that changed my trajectory. I learned so much in that one week, I saw nature differently after that, I started to introduce embroidery details for shading and highlights, and this new avenue became the staple of my medium as I developed my work over the following 30 years. I love to create intricate and subtle details with a palette of thread and to share my love of nature in my work.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?

Like most, my art career has not been a smooth road. My art career was growing fast over the first 10 years and I loved seeing where it was going. We had 2 kids, but my partner had a lifelong auto-immune disease that flared up occasionally over our life together and I lost my brother when my kids were young. I struggled with being able to be creative while processing grief and I needed a consistent income to care for my family, so my art was put on hold for some time while I found a day job that paid a salary. It was then that I began my career in sustainable building practices, which I love, but it meant that I had to pause my creative life. Over a decade later, I was finding space to be creative again and began pursuing my art once more with a sustainability lens. I entered shows and started to create work for galleries, however, in 2013 my partner took a turn for the worse and went through 5 years of critical illness. At the same time, my mother had Alzheimer’s and was declining slowly, and my father had acute physical health decline. Within a year, all three of them passed away. The last 6 years have been a major journey for me as I processed my grief once again and struggled to keep my creativity at the forefront. Throughout all this though, I have always known that my creative work was processing and waiting to emerge again. I am excited to move into the next phase of my career.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?

I am a textile artist specializing in free-motion embroidery and nature-inspired creations. Through intricate stitching on the sewing machine, I depict landscapes, birds, animals, flowers, and trees. My material choices are extremely important; I use locally sourced wool, which I wet felt to create the batting or background, along with locally harvested natural dyes and organic or rPET threads. Integrating sustainable materials has been a core value for me since I returned to my creative work.

I am known for my commitment to sustainability and my ability to blend art with environmental consciousness. What sets me apart is my holistic approach to textile art, ensuring that every piece I create not only tells a story but also respects the environment. I realized there was a significant knowledge gap in the quilting industry regarding the impact of material production. To address this, I developed a talk for quilt guilds where I share the environmental, social, and financial global impacts of the textile industry. I also highlight actions individuals can take in their practices toward sustainability.

Additionally, I host a podcast where I share stories of creatives, producers, industry certifications, and ideas around sustainable textiles. I am most proud of my advocacy for sustainable textile art practices and the community I’ve built around this mission. Working as an advocate for these practices has been one of the most fulfilling endeavors of my creative journey. I believe in the power of shared knowledge and understanding. Together, we can navigate this world and create a positive future for generations to come.

Are there any books, apps, podcasts or blogs that help you do your best?

I love the audiobook Daring Greatly by Brene Brown and Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert. I’ve listened to both multiple times and continue to learn from them. I also practice mindful movement and meditation, that helps me stay grounded and focused.

Pricing:

• The Green Stitchers Hive Community – $11.99/mo

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.bridgetoflaherty.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bridgetoflahertytextiles/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheSustainableQuilter
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@thesustainablequilter
• Other: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/threads-of-sustainability/id1627082959

Image Credits

Bridget O’Flaherty