Member Profile - Deb Plestid, Tatamagouche, Nova Scotia

Submitted by Susan Lilley

I recently had the pleasure of interviewing SAQA Atlantic member Deb Plestid, from Balmoral, NS. This is just a little of what I learned.

“Live simply, so that others may simply live.” Guided by Gandhi's words, Deb Plestid’s life is governed by the seasons and the rhythms of nature. For six months of the year, much of her time is occupied with feeding herself and her family through gardening, foraging and preserving, as well as raising birds for meat and eggs. During the colder months, she feeds her spirit, creating beautiful quilted wall hangings that reflect the beauty surrounding her studio that overlooks the Northumberland Strait.

Fables - a wall quilt celebrating Tatamagouche's literary pub by the same name - where music, books and wine meet.

Deb took up traditional quilting in her late twenties, relying on patterns and quilt books for several years, until her partner eventually told her she had to “put the books away.” From that day on, Deb has been creating unique textile compositions inspired by nature, landscapes and the marks that humans have left on the land. Using an ever-widening variety of surface design and construction techniques, Deb’s work explores interrelationships and conveys multiple layers of meaning. 

Bums -Three bums goofing off during a honeymoon holiday at Fox River, Nova Scotia, with much gratitude to the groom for having been such a good sport  

Deb Plestid has won numerous awards for her art quilts. Her work appears in both art galleries and prestigious quilt shows such as Quilt Canada, the Grand National, Quilts=Art=Quilts in Auburn, New York and the AQS in Paducah, Kentucky.

                             A blessingway vessel made with threads and scraps of fabric.

        East River - The cure for anything is salt water - sweat, tears, or the sea. Isak Dineson

 We are so fortunate to have Deb Plestid among our membership!

You can see more of Deb’s work at www.debplestid.ca