Besides being a great cabana boy, Scott Hansen is also an awesome designer (Blue Nickel Studios) and blogger in his own right. He was recently tapped to work with today’s featured GenQer, David Butler (yep, Mr. Amy), on quilt designs for David’s first collection of fabrics, Curious Nature, for FreeSpirit Fabrics. (That David is even doing a line of fabric is pretty much breaking news, people, and we’re sharing it with you, Q-bies.)
When it came to blasting the news, Scott decided to reserve the music and guy stuff for Blue Nickel, and to channel other fun-and-games our way. So, Scott is blogging about this very hook-up today over at Blue Nickel Studios AND here. It’s the Scott-and-David Show in two parts. Start here and go there, or vice versa. But don’t miss either half. Enjoy!
David Butler
At Quilt Market, you usually muscle in, set up and tear down and are barely around otherwise (at least the times I’ve been there). I bet a lot of people don’t even know you are an artist in your own right. Can you tell us a little bit about your and Amy’s design business, Art of the Midwest?
Amy and I started our studio in 1992 in a little farmhouse. She was painting surface designs at the kitchen table and I was doing freelance graphic design. Slowly the design business (Art of the Midwest) grew, and Amy and I began doing illustration work for ad agencies and publishers. We worked in tandem on many projects and after awhile I focused more on design for retail clients and she was doing more surface design paintings and illustrations. I did retail concept store design and packaging design for clients like Timberland Boots, Wrangler, Ralph Lauren, American Eagle, Bluenotes, Hollister, Abercrombie and so on. And I did various logo and identity programs for smaller companies.
Meantime, we were both doing fine art exhibits of our paintings, fabric work, sculptures and drawings, and I ended up doing a sort of fine art illustration for Cirque du Soleil’s VAREKAI show (posters and all marketing) and was a part of their Bravo TV series, Fire Within. Several years after, Amy got started with her sewing patterns and, later, her fabrics. I let my client work trickle off to spend time on her brand and help with the business. And here we are!
When you first told me about your new fabric line, I thought it was called Parson Gray, but the line is actually Curious Nature. What’s the difference between the two, and how do they fit in with Art of the Midwest? (A whole lotta of branding going on!)
Well Art of the Midwest has been our studio. But with the popularity of Amy’s brand and name, it’s somewhat become a moot point. It’s more of an archive of my past work now. Parson Gray is my attempt at a brand name for the print-focused home and fashion idea I’ve had brewing. I didn’t want to come out as David Butler because I felt it may be too confusing with Amy Butler. Most folks know me as “Mr. Amy” anyhow and I’m perfectly cool with that! Curious Nature is the name of this fabric collection.
Home decor fabrics in the Rare Earth colorway
Where did you and Amy meet? How long have you been married?
We met at art school. She stalked me until I finally went out with her…well, other way around. We started dating in 1986 and married in 1990. There have been many hairstyles and many amazing stories since then! We’re very well-suited for each other and very much in love.
The biggest secret you’ve never told anyone?
Why would I tell it now? I don’t know. I honestly don’t know what I’d say that wouldn’t get me arrested. How much do your readers know about opium dens?
When did you start The Black Owls and where did that name come from? (You have a great knack for naming things, that’s for sure!)
We started the band almost five years ago. I came up with the name in a pool of other names and we chose it. Wanted something that sounded familiar yet mysterious, like it could’ve been a band in the 60s. Plus, I did a Web search and it was available for copyright registration. It wasn’t taken!
Any other non-work things you like to do, besides music?
I’ve been a somewhat avid mountain biker and snowboarder/skateboarder for many, many years. (I) travel the world to ride bikes and board down mountains. I love to write fiction as well.
Your three top bands besides The Black Owls?
Guided by Voices, The Clash, Rolling Stones
You seem to be a little bit country, a little bit rock-and-roll. What makes you the country boy and what makes you the city boy?
I was born in downtown Pittsburgh, and I’ve lived in a few larger cities. I’ve also lived on a rural 200-acre farm and in a few small towns. So I have experience in both. I’ve castrated pigs and driven combines, and I’ve played lowly dive punk rock bars and been in a few club fights. (Back in the day, not anymore!) Let’s say I prefer the country, but can handle myself in the city. Maybe that’s why people refer to the Black Owls as an Amish punk band.
Is there really a Butler Castle? And why don’t you live there anymore?
The Castle Kilkenny in Ireland, yes, is the Butler family castle. Indeed, my family of Butlers. I recently went back, but they weren’t amused at me going behind the ropes to lounge on the circa 1600s fainting couches. I figured the tourists would like to see a real Butler in his setting. Especially when I told them all to go home. (I had a headache and needed to be alone in my castle…I’m kidding.)
Quilting weight fabrics in Mineral and Ocean.
Are there still a bunch of dead sticks in your living room?
Yes, there are. You can see them in the November issue of LIVING ETC., smart guy. We collect natural inspirations–some in the form of dead sticks. I use them to beat away smarmy interviewer friends of mine!
Your favorite grilled sandwich?
Grilled chicken with pesto or a super-fine barbecue brisket.
Favorite ‘Angel’ before Amy: Farrah, Kate or Jaclyn?
Farrah, for sure! Had the bikini poster in my room.
Star Wars: Chewbacca, Admiral Ackbar, Yoda?
Chewbacca…he’s quiet, gets the job done.
Any thoughts on unicorns?
I admire their magic, beauty, inner strength and ability to fool people into thinking they don’t exist.
Give us two truths and a lie:
I like Lady GaGa.
I like REO Speedwagon.
I like Christopher Cross.
Hmmm. We have a feeling the lie might surprise us. Anyway, thanks, boys! And congrats to David on his first line. (Can’t hardly call it a maiden voyage, can we?)
And now you need to go over to Scott’s blog at Blue Nickel Studios and check out his post and his video of the week, which just happens to be Dave’s band, The Black Owls. Leave a comment there for a chance at some free fabric…maybe even Curious Nature before it even hits the stores. (Who knows what miracles lurk in the magic blue closet?)
And speaking of videos, did you know our man Scott is going to be the GenQ music connection? Very soon, he’ll start presenting an occasional challenge here on Generation Q called Music Monday, where he’ll link us all to a music video chosen for its ability to inspire some new twist in our quilting. Watch for details. We never know which Monday it will hit, but we do know that it will be way better than anything sitting on your desk at work.
COMMENT #1
These fabrics look great! Greys and darker blues/greens, yum!
COMMENT #2
LOVE the prints and colors! Just the thing I need to make a great wrap up quilt for my best friend (hubby). I am always HOT and he is always cold. Just hope the girls @ “qfirst” have this on their list to buy!
COMMENT #3
oooh. Manly fabric… Love it!
COMMENT #4
Wow! Can’t wait for that one to hit the stores. Where can I buy it?
COMMENT #5
Oh, my! Talented, handsome, and witty to boot. Would love to get my hands on these fabrics.
COMMENT #6
As someone always on the look-out for modern manly fabric for the men in my life – I am IN LOVE with these fabrics! I think its great that “Mr. Amy” came out with a line of fabrics that can appeal to men who don’t hunt or spend a lot of time in the great outdoors! I can’t wait for this to come out – I have a special guy that is waiting for a quilt!
COMMENT #7
These fabrics are wonderful, a whole different dimension to add to our tool kit!
COMMENT #8
Surely a manly man quilt selection of colors, but I bet they’ll look good mixed in with some turquoises too!
p.s. May I say that I cannot stand that stupid flashing ad for Pattern Spot? ARGH!
COMMENT #9
I love this line — masculine without being he-man! Will be looking for it at my LQS.
COMMENT #10
I met David at Market and he’s so nice! But as this interview states, I had no idea he was an artist. I just knew him as Mr. Amy. And the unicorn question actually made me laugh, considering Melissa Averinos having her unicorn all over Market last year (including Amy’s booth)!!
I can’t wait to see the fabric line. From the photos, I know I’ll love it and those are SO my colors right now. I might have to sell a kidney before October 26th. Any takers??
COMMENT #11
PS – I wish these damn fabrics had been out when I made my Hotpants his quilt. Pfft! (I can always make him another, right?)
COMMENT #12
ZO.MY.GAWD.
How much do I love this fabric line? So much that I think I’ll actually BUY a fabric line for the first time in my life!
COMMENT #13
My comment is about Amy Butler….all that super design talent AND she gets a husband that looks like David who is talented funny and romantic!!???!!! Sigh.
COMMENT #14
What a great line. Looks like they would make great quilts.
COMMENT #15
I am lusting over the grey prints in David’s line. Wowza. I can’t wait to see (photos of) his and Amy’s side by side market booths!
COMMENT #16
WOW… great interview, I love Amy’s fabric collection… But I LOVE this more I have teenage son… I can see making a quilt with this wonderful fabric… He is likes the colors very much… Congrats… beautiful…
COMMENT #17
Really Like all the colors in the new and exciting fabrics.
COMMENT #18
Me recuerda a las telas japonesas.
Me encantó las telas, el diseño y colores. Yo compraré algunas telas más adelante para hacer un bolso que tengo el patrón hace tiempo.
Éxito con estas telas.
It reminds me a little Japanese fabrics.
I loved the fabrics, design and colors. I’ll buy some cloth to make a bag that I have a pattern a long time ago.
Success with these fabrics.
Yasmin
http://www.patchworkmipasion.blogspot.com