Pamela Mostek ‘paints’ with fabric

Upon entering Pamela Mostek’s Cheney home, it is easy to come to the conclusion that she is an artist or at least an appreciator of color and a host of mediums.

The décor is inspiring, and one might think she is a collector of many styles, but she’s done much of the work herself. A painter and quilter, Mostek has, for now, settled on the medium of fabric without giving up on her painting.

They are fabric creations, but her use of color, shape and subjects gives them the appearance of paintings. While the stitching and texture give away the fact that they are indeed made of fabric, step back and squint, and they look like paintings. “I use fabric rather than paint,” she said, “and in upward of a thousand pins.”

As a teenager, Mostek, who grew up in Bonners Ferry, Idaho, took painting classes with her mother in order to gain more privileges. She took to the medium and was dubbed a “colorist” by the teacher. “I’ve been called that many times since,” she said. She uses color, shape and design boldly.

Mostek received a Bachelor of Science degree in education from the University of Idaho with a major in art and English education and a Master of Fine Arts degree. She taught high school English and art for 15 years and then moved to the Cheney area in 1998 to work for Debbie Mumm. Mostek, 59, then founded her own company, Making Lemonade Designs, in 2000.

From Debbie Mumm, Mostek learned to “think big.” She has authored six books on the art of quilting, regularly designs fabric for RJR Fabrics, has shown her work at a number of national shows and exhibits, and has taught nationally.

In July, she will be teaching at a seminar in New York and in October she will be teaching at a quilters guild in Florida. “I did it backward,” she said, “I’ve worked nationally, and now I’m going to look locally.”

This month, Mostek is displaying her work at the Artist’s Tree Gallery, 828 W. Sprague Ave., in Spokane. The show titled “Threads of Change” includes some abstract designs as well as some realistic works based on Renaissance art. “The show illustrates how fiber art has evolved,” Mostek said.

Mostek works out of a studio in the daylight basement in her home. She has areas for drawing, sewing and cozy tête-À-têtes. Her spaces are organized. “I can’t work in chaos,” she said, “I wear a lot of hats, and that requires me to be organized.” A sliding door leads to an outdoor area in which to soak up the beauty of nature.

Her “many hats” include projects, teaching, designing, writing and family. “Sometimes, balancing is difficult for me with the commercial business, art and family. I get a lot of work done late at night, but I’m happy and feel lucky to be doing what I’m doing. Creating art is a calling. Athletes need the endorphin rush, artists need to create.”