![](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6101bf62fb2d9d3038f6f0ea/1631150497976-16OTBI5QEX7CBRB3LYK3/reading+with+cranes+copy.jpg)
![](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6101bf62fb2d9d3038f6f0ea/e4632607-90ee-40f5-b6e3-5bb40ca009ee/DSC02082.jpg)
Quilt Artist, Storyteller & Instructor.
ABOUT LAUREN AUSTIN
![](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6101bf62fb2d9d3038f6f0ea/e4632607-90ee-40f5-b6e3-5bb40ca009ee/DSC02082.jpg)
“I made my first quilt when I was 7…”
I sewed, quilted and made stuff every year since that first one. In the 80’s and 90’s, I worked for the US State Department and then as a human rights lawyer. I used nights and weekends to make art quilts. I finally took the plunge in 2004 to work in art full time. I have made many more quilts than I can remember, and taught others to make quilts – including my son, Jacob!
Quilting is my life!
I use family photos and my hand dyed, printed, and painted fabric to make quilt portraits of black life. I use different art methods to add designs to my work, including raku fired ceramic masks, retro photochemical processes (like cyanoprint,) and etching/burning fabric to create complex surface design.
CONTACT
Lauren A. Austin
IG: @blackgirlart1959
![gwenlrge.jpg](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6101bf62fb2d9d3038f6f0ea/8c4106ac-5b5e-43dc-b38b-6ba147cf9b3d/gwenlrge.jpg)
![contemplationblue&white.jpg](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6101bf62fb2d9d3038f6f0ea/5e10866c-6aeb-44d6-94ee-764bbf15ad41/contemplationblue%26white.jpg)
![summerleavesdetail1.jpg](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6101bf62fb2d9d3038f6f0ea/e7cd80ef-3062-458f-9f1a-5d0923c68b65/summerleavesdetail1.jpg)
![](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6101bf62fb2d9d3038f6f0ea/e4632607-90ee-40f5-b6e3-5bb40ca009ee/DSC02082.jpg)
I use family photos and my hand dyed, printed, and painted fabric to make quilt portraits of black life.
I use different art methods to add designs to my work, including raku fired ceramic masks, retro photochemical processes (like cyanoprint,) and etching/burning fabric to create complex surface design.
![](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6101bf62fb2d9d3038f6f0ea/e4632607-90ee-40f5-b6e3-5bb40ca009ee/DSC02082.jpg)
Video Interviews
Get to know more about my story - journey - process.
RETURN TO QUILT GALLERY