CAMDEN — Fabric Artist Linda Shepard will return to the Camden Public Library with Animal Alchemy, an exhibit of colorful, vibrant quilt art. The artwork features bold designs making use of the fabric's color, texture and patterns, and usually portraying colorful creatures from the animal kingdom.

There will be an opening reception for the artist on Tuesday, July 5, 5-8 p.m., in the Picker Room Gallery. The art quilts will be on display through July.

In explaining her technique for making fabric art, Shepard said, "I start with a piece of muslin. An outline of a subject is lightly sketched on it. Hundreds of small pieces of fabric are glued onto the muslin, creating the image, much like making a mosaic. A layer of black tulle (bridal's veil) is put over the entire subject. Cotton batting is used for the filling and a single piece of fabric is added for the backing. I then free-motion sew over these four layers, binding them all together.

"I love experimenting with how to use unlikely colors to create contrasts and highlights. Every color is acceptable. Any combination can bring out some aspect of the subject: dark and earthy, showy and flamboyant, kaleidoscopic fantasy. The technique encourages the freedom for light-hearted play and allows for the creation of interpretive and dreamlike figures.

"The hours of slowly assembling and layering the small fabric pieces gives depth and texture. I let the imagery and design elements build spontaneously, intuitively, without the interference of a predetermined result. In this way I am often surprised by the direction a piece takes once begun. The process is endlessly gratifying, absorbing, and meditative.

"My intent is to celebrate the ordinary with humor, whimsy and reverence. My hope is that the end result is a textural and visual pleasure."