Fiber Thoughts
Deborah A. Harris
My journey as an artist began with scraps of fabric and a needle handed to me by my grandmother. That simple gesture sparked a love for sewing, which grew from designing doll clothes to crafting my wedding gown and veil. But it wasn’t until I started quilting over 20 years ago that I discovered the power of storytelling through fiber.
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My creative process has ebbed and flowed, shaped by my life experiences, military career, time spent living in different countries, and raising a family. These moments have sometimes slowed my work or opened new creative doors, but the desire to create and tell stories through art has been constant since the day I first held a needle and fabric.
My Story
​I stumbled into quilting through a chance encounter with a demo. At first, I thought quilting was just about stitching fabric together—until I realized it was much more than that. My first meaningful quilt was a Christmas gift for my mother, depicting her family tree, from her parents to the family dog. That quilt taught me how art could preserve personal history and spark conversations.
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Today, I use my art to tell visual stories that reflect social commentary, history, culture, and current events. As a self-taught fiber artist, I incorporate a variety of materials—from thread to paint—to bring mixed-media pieces to life. Each creation is an opportunity to connect, reflect, and inspire.
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Art is how I make sense of the world and share my perspective with others. I hope my work speaks to you and invites you to see the stories woven into every piece—especially those told through my quilts. Welcome to my creative journey!
Art Talks & Presentations
Musical Bridges, Carver Community Cultural Center, San Antonio TX, panel talk 2023 for the movie “The Quilt”
California Museum, presentation, Sacramento, CA, 2023, part of the Black Pioneers exhibition
“Quilt in a Jar”, University of Texas, San Antonio Institute of Texan Cultures, 2022, 2023 (coordinator)
“Between Yesterday & Tomorrow, panel talk, San Antonio TX, 2023
“Quilt in a Jar”, Berta Almaguer Community, San Antonio TX, 2024
“Quilt in a Jar”, Stark Museum, Orange TX, 2024
“Quilt in a Jar”, Bullock Museum, Austin TX 2025
Artistic Organizations
Founder and Vice President, African American Quilt Circle of San Antonio, 2017-2021
President, African American Quilt Circle of San Antonio Texas, 2021 – 2024
President, Fiber Artists of San Antonio, 2019-2022
San Antonio Ethnic Art Society, 2022
