• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to footer

Brenda Gael Smith

Contemporary Textile Art

  • Portfolio
    • Acuity
    • Allagai – Monthly Art Project
    • Botanica
    • Copa Abstractions
    • Desire Lines
    • Dreamlines
    • Flying Colours
    • Grass
    • Landlines
    • Marine
    • Taking Shape
    • Treelines
    • Twelve by Twelve
  • Shop
    • Books & Catalogues
    • Small Works
    • Textile Paintings
  • About
    • Resume
    • Media
  • Workshops & Programs
    • Overview
    • Programs/Lectures
    • 3 Hour Zoom Workshops
  • Resources
    • Newsletter Sign Up
    • Copyright Resources
    • Curator Knowledge
    • Productivity Tools
    • Publications
    • Tutorials
  • Blog
  • Contact

Desire Lines

Desire Lines

In landscape architecture, the term “desire lines” describes an informal path developed by erosion of footfall caused by people finding a short cut or preferred route often bypassing the official or constructed way. As explorers forge their own path, desire lines manifest on the surface of the earth leaving a trail for others to follow thereby encouraging more travel.

Simple String Theory ©2008 Brenda Gael Smith
Caliente ©2009 Brenda Gael Smith
Desire Lines #4 ©2009 Brenda Gael Smith
Desire Lines #1: Simple String Theory
30cm x 30cm ©2008
Desire Lines #2: Caliente
30cm x 30cm ©2009
Desire Lines #3: Running Hot & Cold
37cm x 76cm ©2009
Roseus Goddessii ©2009 Brenda Gael Smith
After the Rain ©2010 Brenda Gael Smith
Spark! ©2010 Brenda Gael Smith
Desire Lines #4: Roseus Goddessii
21cm x 30cm ©2009
Desire Lines #5: After the Rain
53cm x 112cm ©2010
Desire Lines #6: Spark!
75cm x 74cm ©2010
Lust in the Log Cabin ©2010 Brenda Gael Smith
Twelve Ways by Brenda Gael Smith ©2012
Desire Lines #7: Lust in the Log Cabin
105cm x 105cm ©2010
Desire Lines #8: Twelve Ways
20in x 12in ©2012

I acknowledge that I live and create on the land of the Darkinjung and Guringai people and recognise their continuing connection to this place. I pay my respects to Elders past, present and emerging and extend that respect to all First Nations people.

Footer

Contact

Brenda Gael Smith
Contemporary Textile Art

brenda@brendagaelsmith.com

PO Box 131, Avoca Beach
NSW 2251 Australia

Tel: +61 412530190

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • YouTube

Serendipity Studio News

Sign up for periodic updates from my studio - new artwork, exhibitions, workshops, tutorials and other news

On exhibition

  • Integrifolia #3
    19 – 21 April 2024 Prague Patchwork Meeting: Brno, Czech Republic
    Minimalism
  • Argyle Diamons by Brenda Gael Smith
    21 November 2023 to 11 May 2024 International Quilt Museum, Lincoln, Nebraska
    12 x 12
  • 3 February–21 April 2023 Museum at Inveresk, Queen Victoria Museum & Art Gallery, Launceston, Tasmania
    Australia Wide Eight
  • 1 April – 30 September 2024 Detroit Zoo, Detroit, Michigan:
    FUR FANGS FEATHERS & FINS
Great New Zealand Quilt Show 2025 I am honoured t Great New Zealand Quilt Show 2025

I am honoured to jury and judge the @aotearoaquilters exhibition with @melissaburdonart We reviewed and discussed each entry together. Here are a couple of the awards:
 
⭐️BEST OF SHOW: Tic Tac Toe @cheriesquiltstudio 
⭐️JUDGE’S CHOICE: On a Wing & a Prayer @racheljratten 

The exhibition continues until Sunday 18 May. Come along and see all of the wonderful work on display.

#greatnewzealandquiltshow2025
#greatnewzealandquiltshow
Last Tuesday I was enjoying the aquarium in the ex Last Tuesday I was enjoying the aquarium in the excellent natural history museum at @ascckw in Kuwait. Today was an open-water, fully immersive encounter with a large pod of dusky dolphins in Kaikoura, New Zealander with my sister D. What a fabulous day! 
🐬🐬🐬🐬🐬🐬🐬🐬
@dolphinencounterkaikoura #duskydolphins #remembering #grieving #celebratinglife
KTAA Judges Choice 2025: Marquise Diamond by @hope KTAA Judges Choice 2025: Marquise Diamond by @hope_joy2019 quilted by @patchworkstudio_ 

The "Judges Choice" award is an opportunity to recognise a quilt that draws you in and lingers in your heart even if it does not necessarily fit the particular judging criteria of the exhibition. It does not require any justification or explanation. Nevertheless, I am very happy to acknowledge this quilt by Raja Habbeeb Hussain. It has a fresh palette in some of my favourite colours of green and turquoise rendered in a beautifully proportioned, original design. I especially admire the inner zig zag border that leads your eye outwards. The angular, geometric piecing is complemented by the curvy, circular motif quilted by Nora Al Ali.

I later learned that Raja designed this quilt in remembrance of her precious parents. She chose the name Marquise Diamond as the last car her father bought her mother was a green Ford Marquis. 💚🔹

Raja very kindly took me to the colourful fabric souk on my last night in Kuwait and I succumbed to some vibrant green linen and a Liberty @libertyfabrics 
tulip print. We rounded out the evening at a seafood restaurant at Souk Al-Mubarakiya where I got to sample local fish zubaidi 🐟 Thank you Raja!

💚🔹💚🔹💚🔹💚🔹💚🔹💚🔹💚🔹💚🔹💚🔹

@kuwaittextileart #judgeschoice #zubaidi
KTAA BEST IN SHOW 2025 I spent a full day reviewin KTAA BEST IN SHOW 2025
I spent a full day reviewing the 60+ quilt entries in the Kuwait Textiles Arts Association exhibition and writing feedback for the entrants. There were many accomplished works. Again and again, my attention returned to this charming storytelling work by Najah Al Ali @najahal.ali 

This quilt (34x34in) depicts a family group celebrating the Kuwaiti tradition of Gergean. This special day is usually observed on the 13th, 14th and 15th day of Ramadan, marking the middle of the holy month. After sunset/iftar, children go from house to house, asking for treats such as candy and nuts. The tradition is a way of motivating children to continue fasting. Children are also encouraged to share treats and learn the importance of giving and gratitude.

Check out the detail shots for a closer view of the figures. The background to this composition is a shemagh/keffiyeh, a traditional Arabian square, cotton head cloth worn by men.

@kuwaittextileart #gergean #storyquilts #bestinshow #ktaa

Copyright © 2003–2025 All Rights Reserved · Brenda Gael Smith · Log in