This week on Not Your Granny's Quilt Show, I'm joined by Brent McGee, a textile artist whose creative journey has taken him from the stage to the sewing studio. Before quilting became his calling, Brent lived a life immersed in the performing arts. A professionally trained musician, he performed in musical theater and spent several years entertaining audiences in a New York City piano bar. Creativity was always part of his life, thanks to a family that encouraged artistic expression. Everything changed during the 2020 lockdowns. Taking an unexpected break from live performance, Brent's sister commissioned him to create a textile art piece for her new home. The satisfaction of completing that project awakened something new. What began as a single commission quickly became an artistic obsession fueled by curiosity, experimentation, and a desire to explore the possibilities of fiber. Brent's early work explored hand-dyed fabrics and intricate hand quilting, culminating in his award-winning piece Intertidal Invertebrates. But instead of settling into a style, he challenged himself once again. Today, Brent primarily works with unbleached muslin and wool batting, creating sculptural textile art that embraces the natural qualities of the materials. Rather than forcing the fabric into a preconceived design, Brent listens to what the fabric wants to become. Through that process, he has found a deeper connection between creativity, intuition, and spirituality. In this episode, we talk about: Transitioning from professional musician to textile artist Finding a new creative path during the 2020 lockdowns Hand quilting and sculptural textile art Working with unbleached muslin and wool batting Letting materials guide the creative process Curiosity, experimentation, and artistic growth Creativity as a spiritual practice We also discuss Brent's piece Apollo and Python, which has been accepted into Quilt Visions at the Visions Museum of Textile Art. The exhibition runs from October 24, 2026 through January 16, 2027. If you love contemporary quilting, textile art, hand quilting, or conversations about creativity and artistic growth, this episode is for you. Follow Brent and explore his incredible work:@brentmcgeequilts on Instagram Subscribe for more conversations with the artists, makers, and innovators shaping the future of quilting. Episodes are recorded, edited and produced by Amanda Oros.Logo art by Myranda Mondry.Want to see more? You can find it here:Find Podcast Merch here! nygqs.printify.meFollow along on Instagram: Podcast - https://www.instagram.com/notyourgrannysquiltshow Long-arming - https://www.instagram.com/sweetpeadesigncompanySubscribe to YouTube: https://youtube.com/@notyourgrannysquiltshowSupport the show on Patreon: patreon.com/notyourgrannysquiltshowWant to be on the show? Send us a message