Monette began developing her art skills and techniques---drawing/sketching, painting, silk screening, wood burning, etc.---in high school when she took an elective art course.  However, while she was in college earning her degree in pharmacy, she suspended her acquired art interests because of college studies and demands.  During that same time frame her mother, Merlene Lewis, who is now a master quilter, transitioned her sewing and tailoring talents to quilting.  Inevitably after college, when Monette rekindled her interest in art through photography, she decided to learn the art of quilting from her mother; This decision proved to be a major addition to her arsenal of artistic skills.

Monette’s initial solo quilting projects reflected traditional quilting patterns and techniques; They were so outstanding; one was displayed in several quilt shows and nominated to be published in a quilting magazine.  However, despite her success and newly acquired passion for traditional quilting, the pleasures of applying her other art skills motivated her to explore art quilting.  The objective was to integrate all her acquired art skills in her quilting projects; Monette took photos of people, houses, classic automobiles, flowers, birds and events with unique character that could potentially be the theme of an art quilt.  She then, from her perspective, sketched the photo’d objects onto fabric vice a canvas, colored the sketched objects with small pieces of fabrics vice traditional oil painting and finally, assembled the quilt by traditional means. The synergy of Monette’s vision, art techniques, quilting skills and passion produces colorful and exciting art quilts that introduces a new, creative and honest perspective of her subject matter.  

Monette invites you to view her art quilts and hopes you will enjoy them as much as she does creating them.