Biography
Ana Buzzalino is an award winning textile artist and quilt maker. Her art has won awards at national and international shows. She lives in Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
Ana Buzzalino grew up in Buenos Aires, Argentina, where sewing was part of her life at an early age. She studied dressmaking and art while in school. In early 1983, Ana moved to Calgary. A couple of years later, while walking down the street, she saw a “blanket” on a window and went into the store to ask about purchasing it. She was told that it wasn’t for sale, but that she could learn how to make her own. She signed up for a beginner’s quilting class that same day, and she never looked back. The rest, as they say, is history.
Ana has been teaching quilting since 1986 and has taken numerous workshops with renowned quilt and textile artists throughout the years to improve her skills. Some of the workshops have been with Claire Benn, Hollis Chatelain, Laura Cater Woods, and Elizabeth Barton among others. She has also attended several classes at the Alberta University of the Arts.
Ana Buzzalino is a creator, maker, fibre and mixed media artist, surface designer, teacher and lecturer. Her love of layers and texture combine in her original work. She achieves results using a combination of different surface design techniques such as monoprinting, hand-painting, free-motion stitching and hand-stitching, amongst others to achieve the effects she’s searching for. Her work has won numerous awards at national and international shows. In 2019 Ana was honoured as Quilter of Distinction at Heritage Park 24th Annual Festival of Quilts.
IA lot of her work for the past few years has used aspects of history with an impact on our culture today. In the current climate where everything is new, instant and shiny, history has relevance; old buildings have a soul that modern buildings do not possess. She finds herself returning to those old buildings to look at the marks of passing time.
Weathered wood, rusted metal, peeling paint. The work takes on various shapes and forms to draw the viewer in. The layered elements are used to give the impression of time passing, buildings deteriorating, disappearing slowly to make room for the new.
Ana is a frequent contributor to Quilting Arts Magazine and her work has graced the cover of four issues of the magazine. She has appeared in seasons 1900, 1200, 1000, 900 and 800 of Quilting Arts TV. Her work has also appeared in the American Quilter’s Society Magazine, in A Needle Pulling Thread, and in Modern Patchwork, as well as in 101 Patchwork Projects and Quilts and Quilt Scene. Ana has also produced two workshop DVDs with Interweave/F&W.
Ana is the founder and CEO of Create2Flourish, a program to help quilters, textile and mixed media artists avoid frustration and overwhelm and find their own voice so they can create art in their own style. Ana is currently teaching online from her studio in Calgary, Alberta.
In August 2022, she was invited to tape a segment for The Quilt Show with Alex Anderson and Ricky Tims, to be aired late 2022 or early 2023.
Awards
2021
“The Woman who is Alone and Waits” (La Mujer que está Sola y Espera) – Juried into The Grand National Exhibition
2019
2019 Quilter of Distinction – 24th Annual Festival of Quilts at Heritage Park
2018
“What Remains …” – 3rd Prize in Painted Surfaces at the International Quilt Association Juried Show – Houston, TX
“What Remains …” – Juried into the International Quilt Association Juried Show – Houston, TX
“The Prairies Changing Landscape” – Judges’ Choice Award at the Festival of Quilts, Birmingham, UK
“What Remains …” – 2nd Prize – Creative Arts and Crafts – Calgary Stampede
“Warner” – 1st Prize – Creative Arts and Crafts – Calgary Stampede
2017
“The Prairies Changing Landscape” – 1st Prize in Abstract – Small At the International Quilt Association Juried Show – Houston, TX
“Warner” – Juried into the International Quilt Association Juried Show – Houston, TX
“The Shape of Things Unseen” – 1st Prize in Category and 1st Prize in Section at the Creative Arts and Crafts – Calgary Stampede
“The Prairies Changing Landscape” – 1st Prize in Category and 3rd Prize in Section at the Creative Arts and Crafts – Calgary Stampede
“The Shape of Things Unseen” – Excellence in Threadwork using Wonderfil – National Juried Show – Canadian Quilters Association
2016
“Just Before the Lights Come on”
Juried into Tactile Architecture – International Quilt Festival – Houston, TX
“The Shape of Things Unseen”
Juried into the 2016 Quilts: A World of Beauty – International Quilt Festival – Houston TX
“Just Before the Lights Come on”
Quilt Canada Invitational – Toronto, Ontario
2010
“The Blue Door”
Juried into the Grand National Quilt Show – Kitchener, Ontario
2009
“On the Wings of a Dream”
First Place – Bernina Great Canadian Quilt and Fiber Arts Challenge – Traditional Design
“The Blue Door”
First Place – Bernina Great Canadian Quilt and Fiber Arts Challenge – Wall Hanging – Innovative Design
“The Shell Seekers”
Finalist – Miniature Art Quilt – IQA Show – Houston
“Two Pears”
Winner Quilting Arts Calendar 2010 Challenge – January
“Calla Lillies”
Finalist – Quilting Arts Calendar 2010 Challenge
2008
“Dawn over Heritage Park”
Best of Canada – World Quilt Show
“On the Wings of a Dream”
Finalist – World Quilt Show
“On the Wings of a Dream”
Finalist – AQS Show, Paducah, KY
2007
“On the Wings of a Dream”
Finalist – IQA Show, Houston
“On the Wings of a Dream”
1st Place – Western Showcase – Calgary Stampede
2006
“Stars over Kananaskis”
Excellence for Traditional Large Wall Quilt – CQA/ACC
“In a New York State of Mind”
Finalist – CQA/ACC
2005-1987
Numerous other awards at local shows
Publications
2023
“Exploring the Surface: Paper Lamination Part 3” – Quilting Arts Magazine Fall 2023 – Issue 119
“Exploring the Surface: Paper Lamination Part 2” – Quilting Arts Magazine Summer 2023 – Issue 118
“The Moon on the Sea Shimmers” – In the Studio with Ana Buzzalino – A Needle Pulling Thread – Issue 62
“Exploring the Surface: Paper Lamination – Learn the Basics” – Quilting Arts Magazine Summer 2023 – Issue 117
“Ethereal Overlays – Print on tissue paper to add moody layers” – Quilting Arts Magazine Winter 2023 – Issue 116
2022
“Unique Free Motion Quilting Designs Inspired by Tiles” – In the Studio with Ana Buzzalino – A Needle Pulling Thread – Issue 61
“Making Waves using Thread for Fibre Art Projects” – In the Studio with Ana Buzzalino – A Needle Pulling Thread – Issue 60
“Making Hexagon Quilt Blocks by Machine” – In the Studio with Ana Buzzalino – A Needle Pulling Thread – Issue 59
“From Sketch to Stitch Revisited: Applying Bold Texture to Colorful Wholecloth Quilts” – Quilting Arts Magazine Fall 2022 – Issue 115
“From Sketch to Stitch to Color with Inktense Pencils” – Quilting Arts Magazine Fall 2022 – Issue 115 (republished)
“Interview with Ana Buzzalino” – Exploring Art Quilts with Studio Art Quilt Associates, Inc. Volume 2 – Around the World
“Applying Acrylic Skins” – Quilting Arts Magazine Spring 2022 – Issue 113
“Fabric Collage – New Beginnings” – Quilting Arts Magazine Winter 2022 – Issue 112
“A Brief History of Landscape Art and Tutorial” – In the Studio with Ana Buzzalino – A Needle Pulling Thread – Issue 58
“Simple Landscapes with Stitch and Paint” – In the Studio with Ana Buzzalino – A Needle Pulling Thread – Issue 58
2021
“The Concept and Importance of Resilience” – In the Studio with Ana Buzzalino – A Needle Pulling Thread – Issue 57
“Making Waves using Thread” – In the Studio with Ana Buzzalino – A Needle Pulling Thread – Issue 60
“The Making of Sketch No. 7” – In the Studio with Ana Buzzalino – A Needle Pulling Thread – Issue 56
“A Close Look at Couching” – In the Studio with Ana Buzzalino – A Needle Pulling Thread – Issue 55
“Monoprinting Layers with Stencils and Masks” – Quilting Arts Magazine Fall 2021 – Issue 111
“Snippet Scrolls” – Quilting Arts Magazine Sumer 2021 – Issue 110
2020
“The Art of Repetition” – Quilting Arts Podcast – Episode 4
“Architectural Structure and Quilting” – In the Studio with Ana Buzzalino – A Needle Pulling Thread – Issue 53
“Working with Transfer Artist Paper” – In the Studio with Ana Buzzalino – A Needle Pulling Thread – Issue 52
2019
“Artist to Watch – Ana Buzzalino” – Studio Quilt Art Associates (SAQA) – Art Quilt Quarterly
“Hand-dyeing fabrics with rust” – In the Studio with Ana Buzzalino – A Needle Pulling Thread – Issue 51
“Reflections on 100 – Sentiments & Stories” – Quilting Arts Magazine August / September 2019 – Issue 100
“Matchstick Quilting, Satin Stitch and Cross Stitch” – In the Studio with Ana Buzzalino – A Needle Pulling Thread – Issue 50
Artist to Watch – Studio Art Quilt Associates – Art Quilt Quarterly – Issue 17
“The Slow Stitching Movement and the Running Stitch” – In the Studio with Ana Buzzalino – A Needle Pulling Thread – Issue 49
“Sophisticated Monoprinting with Stencils and Masks” – Quilting Arts Magazine April / May 2019 – Issue 98
2018
“The Prairies Changing Landscape” – Photo published in Quilting Arts Magazine June / July 2018 – Issue 93
2017
“Make your Mark: Text on Textiles with Free-motion Quilting” – Quilting Arts Magazine August / September 2017 – Issue 88
“Feather Quilting in Borders” – Quilting Arts Magazine February / March 2017 – Issue 85
“Quilting Feathers in Shapes” – Quilting Arts Magazine December 2016/January 2017 – Issue 84
2016
“Quilting Feathers in Shapes” – Quilting Arts Magazine December 2016/January 2017 – Issue 84
“Quilting with the Masters: Using artwork as inspiration” – International Quilt Festival Quilt Scene 2016/2017
Quilting Arts TV Series 1900
“Feathers in tight spaces” – Quilting Arts Magazine December 2016 / January 2017 – Issue84
“Feather Quilting Basics” – Quilting Arts Magazine October/November 2016 – Issue 83
“Quilting with the Masters” – International Quilt Festival Quilt Scene 2016
“New York Beauty Pillow Cover” – Modern Patchwork Gifts 2016
“Make Your Digital Quilts Sing – Editing Photos in PowerPoint” – Quilting Arts Magazine – June/July 2016 – Issue 81
2014
“Rocks & Stones & Pebbles Oh My!” – Quilting Arts Magazine June/July 2014 – Issue#69
2013
Quilting Arts TV Series 1200
“Quilting and Dyeing Serendipity” – Quilting Arts Workshop DVD
“From Sketch to Stitch to Color with Inktense Pencils”
Quilting Arts Magazine – August / September 2013 – Issue #64
2012
Quilting Arts TV Series 1000
2011
“Off the Page: Sketchbook Keeping for Textile Artists” – Quilting Arts Magazine – Holiday 11/12
Quilting Arts TV Series 900 – 3 segments
“The Big Decision – How to quilt your quilt” – International Quilt Festival: Quilt Scene 2011
Quilting Arts Workshop DVD “Machine Stitching and Painting Quilts”
“A Quilter’s Christmas” – Quilting Arts Gifts Magazine – Holiday 2011/2012
Quilting Arts TV: Series 800 – 3 Segments
“Fresh Tulips Book Cover” – Summer 2011 – A Needle Pulling Thread
101 Patchwork Projects – “Strippy Book Cover” – Spring 2011
2010
“Quilted and Painted Canvases” – Quilting Arts Magazine – December/January – Article & Cover
“Sopa Rosita” – Quilting Arts Magazine – October/November – Calendar Challenge 2011, Judge’s Choice
“Creative Play with Discharge Paste” – Quilting Arts Magazine – August/September – Article & Cover
2009
“Two Pears” – January – Quilting Arts Calendar
2008
“On the Wings of a Dream” – Cover of AQS Magazine – February/March
“Moments” – Journal Quilt – Quilting Arts Magazine – February/March
2007
Calgary Herald – “Blockbuster of a Quilt” – Neighbors Section – North & South Editions, December 6-12
2006
Calgary Herald – “Wrapped Up” – Neighbors Section – North & South Editions, August 3-9
Trunk Shows & Presentations
2022
Lecture – What is Creativity? – Greater Ann Arbor Quilters Guild
Trunk Show – The Fiber Artist in Me – Guild of Arts and Crafts – Yellowknife
Lecture – What is Creativity? – Northwest Quilters – Portland OR
Trunk Show – The Fiber Artist in Me – County Line Quilters
Lecture – Creativity in times of Covid and Stress – Quilt guild by the Sea
2021
Lecture – Creativity in Times of Covid – Needlework and Textile Guild of Michigan
Lecture – Creativity in Times of Covid – Canadian Quilters Association
Trunk Show – The Fiber Artist in Me – Oakville Quilters Guild
Trunk Show – The Fiber Artist in Me – Macomb County Quilt Guild
Lecture – Creativity in times of Covid – Fiber Artists of San Antonio
Lecture – What is Creativity? – Twilight Quilters Guild of Norfolk County
Lecture – Thoughts on Creativity – Gulf Coast Modern Quilt Guild
Trunk Show – The Fiber Artist in Me – Orange County Quilters Guild
Trunk Show – The Fiber Artist in Me – Boundary Bay Quilters Guild
Trunk Show – The Fiber Artist in Me – Saskatchewan Stitches Conference
2020
Lecture – Creativity in Times of Covid – The Flying Needles Quilt Guild
2016
Trunk Show – Inuvik Quilt Guild – Inuvik, NT
2015
Trunk Show – High TEA – Fort Smith, NT
Trunk Show – The Textile Guild and Lethbridge Centennial Guild Guild, Lethbridge, AB
Trunk Show – Medicine Hat Quilters Guild – Medicine Hat, AB
2014
Trunk Show – Mahone Bay Quilt Guild – Mahone Bay, NS
Trunk Show – Annapolis Valley Decorative Artists – Greenwich, NS
Trunk Show – Medicine Hat Quilters Guild – Medicine Hat, AB
2013
Trunk Show – Edmonton Quilters Guild – Edmonton, AB
Trunk Show – Medicine Hat Quilters Guild – Medicine Hat, AB
2012
The Fraser Valley Quilt Guild – Delta, BC
2009
Trunk Show – Quilting in the Trees – Pearson College – Victoria, BC
Trunk Show – The Piecemakers – Calgary, AB
2007
Featured Speaker Heritage Park Festival of Quilts
Membership
CQA/ACC : Canadian Quilters Association / Association Canadienne de la Counterpointe
http://www.canadianquilter.com/
SAQA : Studio Art Quilt Associates
http://www.saqa.com/
IQA : International Quilt Association
http://www.quilts.org/
AQS : American Quilt Society
http://www.americanquilter.com/
SDA : Surface Design Association
http://www.surfacedesign.org/
The Flying Needle Quilt Guild – Millarville, Alberta
103 – Calgary, Alberta