IMG_1610 - Edited.jpg

Hilary Cannon Anderson

My name is Hilary Cannon Anderson, and I am a teaching artist dedicated to visually communicating my ideas and passions and helping others develop the skills they need to communicate their ideas. My preferred medium for communicating the images, ideas, and stories swirling in my head is fabric. I create art quilts with both narrative and geometric elements. My artwork is filled with bold colors and lush textures.

I am always exploring additional techniques to capture and share the stories and swirls in my head. Growing up, I woke with the crows and colored pictures about my family, life, and activities. I started sewing for practical reasons when I needed new clothes after my teenage growth spurt. My Mom ran out of time to finish making my clothes, so I learned to sew the pieces she had cut out. I have sewn clothing for myself and my family ever since. I began traditional quilting to use up fabric scraps, but soon transitioned to creating art quilts that capture ideas and stories. To better communicate in fiber, I have learned embroidery, fabric dyeing, various surface design techniques, weaving, felting, knitting, and most recently, Indigo dyeing. As a returning adult student at Indiana University, I explored other media including printmaking, photography, and ceramics -- but I still managed to incorporate fiber arts into every final project! I even consider my chaotic garden a semi-edible quilt.

I am an active member of the arts community in Bloomington, Indiana. I love getting to know the artists at local art fairs, attending live theater and opera, and chatting with my past and present students at the farmers market. Attending these events, as well as spending time at museums and in nature, inspire my art. I record my inspiration in pencil or pen drawings. By focusing on basic lines, forms, and textures, I calm my mind and capture ideas. I then weave abstractions and symbols from my sketchbook drawings into my artwork. I also draw artistic inspiration from daily life, routines, and relationships. View my artwork.

Equal to my passion for studying and creating art is sharing my passion through teaching. I engage my students by sharing stories about artists and their artwork. I love my students’ insights as they discover new artworks. We then learn and practice the technical skills for them to express their own ideas and stories through their artwork. Learn more about my Teaching Philosophy.

I completed my masters in Art Education in 2012. I have taught art in private school, public school, community arts center, small workshop, and private lesson settings. I taught art to grade K-6 students at Summit Elementary school for seven years.

Currently I teach: