Terri is an innovative artist celebrated for her brilliant quilts. Inspired by her sense of humor and outlook on life, she pushes the limits of the craft to create art. Her work incorporates everything from fiber and beads to crystals and lace to fishing net and lures and evokes a range of emotional responses from joy to tranquility. As a matter of fact, it has been said that, "the REAL Terri is seen only in her quilts."

Experimentation is an essential process reflected in Terri's work. Her easy manner belies a tenacity and dedication that drive her to try new things. As part of the process, she explores the integration of fiber arts with other media, collaborating with fellow artists and friends to produce detailed jewelry, glass sculpture and story collages.

In a recent visit to Terri's home, we found that quilting revealed only part of the REAL Terri. We were not surprised by the vibrant colors, custom tile work or the perfectly organized chaos of her studio (complete with a cat curled up in a wooden bowl on the table.) We were however, struck by the warmth and sense of welcome that enveloped us as we moved through the house. Every room was filled with exquisite artwork and evoked a sentiment from its owner that confirmed an attachment far beyond monetary worth. "Each piece has a story," offered Terri, "And, each…a friend's face." Some were part of a trade. "These mean a lot," Terri said, "because another artist loved my work enough to trade."

As we pushed aside an unfinished Scrabble game and settled at her kitchen table, our eyes were drawn to the bright green cabinetry and the delightful awareness that each drawer pull and knob was different; and, each was painted by a friend.

In the next hour, over tea and waves of laughter, we learned that Terri's taste for unorthodox quilts began in college when she just had to have a blue velvet and satin quilt. "I made a horrible attempt to teach myself," Terri remembers. "With a satin back, it kept slipping off the bed."

A big break came in 1989, when she took classes at the Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts in Tennessee and was told it was okay to paint on fabric. Months later, a woman attending her lecture remarked, "You've got such nonsense in your heart," and launched the era of Terri's "nonsense quilts." Ever since, she has collected nonsense words like "Flapdoodles" and "Gallimaufry" and translated them into quilts.

Quilting offers Terri a way to express whatever she feels-good or bad. "Working it out in color, texture, and found objects is therapeutic," Terri says. In 1984 when the Alaska pipeline was finished, Terri was struck with the realization that all her friends had moved away. To deal with this loss, Terri sewed. She used dark fabrics to create a quilt with turbulent seas, angry skies and rows of dark houses, save one. "Only one had the lights on…mine." She continues to process dark periods in her life by creating art quilts. These works "Inspire me to let go and find my nonsense self again."

As Terri quietly presents us with dozens of quilting books and calendars containing her work, we realize the reach of her success. Her intricate, expertly pieced quilts are featured in countless national shows and dozens of publications, including Oxmoor House books.

Terri quickly adds, "My children think my greatest claim to fame is marked by the distinctive painting in my living room." As we move to see it, she explains that it was painted by "Annabelle the Elephant" at the Alaska zoo. Terri was commissioned to use fabrics Annabelle painted to make quilts, which were sold at auction to buy tigers. CNN even featured the event. Afterwards, as a special thank you, she and her daughter were invited to the zoo to watch Annabelle paint and were then presented with the painting.

Terri's 2005 solo exhibit at the Arts Council was aptly titled, "With a Little Help from My Friends." As inspiration, Terri solicited the input of friends from Washington to Alaska. The poems, fabrics, found objects, even teabags received in response have led to some fun new mixed-media works. Terri says, "I have pushed myself to play and show people how many ways you can manipulate fabric and how many different mediums can be used with fabric." Carie Collver, the ACSC Gallery Director, quickly added, "She likes to torture fabric…burn it, melt it, paint it, poke things into it and glue things onto it!"

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