beverly hinckley

My grandmother, mother and aunts were all needleworkers: knitting, embroidery and sewing. They encouraged me to try my hand at each one. I enjoyed exploring the color, form and texture of each art, but sewing scraps together to create something new I enjoyed the most.  When I was eight my grandmother gave me a sewing needle and a fish knife saying, “You’re never going to need a man.” The fish I never liked, but the needle arts were wonderful. 

I continued exploring color and form, thread and texture during my summers at Stoney Lake in Ontario. But then I added fish bone, shells, bits of wood and rock, pressed flowers and leaves. These collections formed the basis of my early mixed media work, inspired by the nuances of form and pattern. I created landscapes incorporating all and they were accepted into the esteemed Juniper Island Art Show. A real thrill!

So after 35 years teaching in Melrose I retired and opened Textilelations. Quilting, knitting and gardening fill my time. I took classes with Laurie Thies from Mary Roses Quilts and Treasures to learn about traditional quilting design and then with Paula Nadelstern and Victoria Findlay Wolf of New York to incorporate modern styling. I’m playing with unique combinations of heritage and modern pieces and upcycling antique needlework into homeware. 

The legacy of the women in my life serves me still. I play with yarns by knitting cowls and creating upcycled sweater mittens. I blend colors and weights to make new textures. I use my fabric scraps to create greeting cards and gift items. My smaller canvas quilts are auditioned blocks that didn’t make it into final work. I do commission work such as tee shirt quilts or wall hangings for celebratory events.