Review By: Alex Anderson,    - July 17, 2009
"it is incredible!!! I read it cover to cover and it reinspired me creatively"

Review   Material Obsession - August 9, 2009
"New toys are always fun and this book, Intuititve Color and Design by Jean Wells is so shiny I can hardly stop looking at it or thinking about it or reading it...and not just looking at the pictures!  It is so wonderful that I don't want to share...but I will anyway.  Jean has put together color theory, practical instruction and inspirational interpretation here in an easy to digest manner.  It's beginning was somewhere in Gee's Bend, went via Ruth McDowell and Nancy Crow and ended up in Jean's capable hands.  It was the staff purchase of the week!"

Review   Serendipity & the Art of the Quilt - August 25, 2009
"...is both instructive and inspirational. From her opening words to the final chapter, you can hear and see a quiltmaker delighting in the latest stage in her creative journey and calling to others to come and join the fun. Her enthusiasm is infectious. Jean Wells has been a quilter for more than 35 years and is a well known teacher, writer and designer. Wanting to work more intuitively and to create abstract designs, Jean signed up for a five day course with Nancy Crow and discovered a new way of life exploring line, design and colour. In her 96 page book, Jean sets out some colour and design exercises to launch you on your own adventure. There are also assignments on useful techniques for every quilter’s tool box. So, for example, if you’ve never worked without a ruler before, there is guidance for freeform cutting and soft curve piecing. Techniques for narrow insert piecing, “detail” piecing and stitch’n'flip piecing are also covered. Given my obsession with quilt finishing techniques, I was especially interested in the chapter on “Unconventional Finishing Methods” where Jean outlines steps for: * a facing finish with mitred corners...; * triangle corners; * knife-edge finish; * pillow turn finish; * wholecloth facing finish; and * portrait finish...For those new to art quilting, this book covers the key elements of design and color and also presents the technical information to enable you to execute your design ideas in stitch and fabric. Even for those with more experience, the book remains instructive and inspirational as Jean reminds us of the value in of engaging in design exercises for the sake of experience..."

Review   The Craft Mailbox - September 22, 2009
"There are lots of good quilting books, but precious few which comprehensively cover the use of colour! This new one is about the exploration of colour, line, shape, harmony and design – a whole new adventure for many of us. Learning about colour involves learning to see – analyse the scene, identify the light source, think about what attracted you to it. Note how lines and shapes can represent a scene, without the clutter of minute detail. Use photos and journals to develop ideas or find inspiration. Take the 11 segment colour course offered in this book and turn quilting into an artistic adventure. Follow the assignments in harmony, abstraction, temperature and more, and learn innovative finishing methods to show your new style at its best."

Review By: Megan Fisher,   Completecraft.com - September 10, 2009
'With so many inspirational new books being published, we’re finding that we can’t fit all of them into the ‘Country Bookshelf’ pages in each issue of Homespun. So, to ensure that you don’t miss out on seeing the latest and greatest craft books, we’ll be posting a review of one that we love here on our blog each Friday. Intuitive Color & Design by Jean Wells. Presented as a series of creative assignments and exercises, this book is designed to push quiltmakers interested in learning to make art quilts in new directions. In recent years, high-profile American quiltmaker Jean Wells has taken herself on a similar journey of discovery, and she now shares some of what she has learned along the way. After explaining the merits of keeping a journal or sketchbook and showcasing how to start from a photo, text or sketch and develop the idea artistically, Jean moves into the first assignments: cutting and piecing without using a ruler. Subsequent topics and exercises explore colour, proportion, principles of design, deciding how to quilt and a range of unusual methods for finishing a quilt. The first page of one of the assignments is shown (right). Large colour photographs are used through to illustrate the lessons that Jean is teaching, making this a very visually appealing book. If you’re looking for someone to give you a nudge forward in your quiltmaking, if you yearn to create unique quilts that truly express your thoughts and feelings, this might just be the book to get you moving."

Review By: Martha Heimbaugh,   On Track! - February 11, 2010
"Jean Wells uses the written word to describe to readers how to go about learning to use your own gut instincts. She offers a series of exercises and assignments that help the reader discover for themselves how to think in a more abstract way. In the book she offers two piecing methods to get you started piecing abstract landscapes and then refers the reader to other books that teach more complicated piecing techniques. The book is filled front cover to back with inspirational photographs and the quilts that were inspired by the photos. By taking the time to read the book in full and follow along with the suggested exercises, readers should be able to broaden their understanding of how to work intuitively and also develop a better understanding of their own artistic potential."

Review By: Heike Northey,    - April 16, 2010
"Reading through Jean Wells’ Intuitive Color & Design is an adventure in itself. Jean shows you how to open your eyes to see the multiple colours and shapes that surround us. You will learn to start your journal with confidence, explore colour families and related harmony to make the quilt design dance. You are inspired and provoked to see what actually attracts you to certain shapes, sizes and colours. Jean guides you through her assignments to convert your ideas into the finished art piece. She offers 11 assignments, starting with a journal, what tools you need, and shows you how to paper piece. Jean also goes into great details of the principles of design and scale, shape, patterns and colours. Every page has either inspiring landscape images, close up design photos and drawings to show you ‘How’ it all comes together. This book is an inspiration to me and I can recommend it to anyone who would like to broaden their horizon and develop their own artistic potential. "

Review By: Morna McEver Golletz,   Professional Quilter Online - April 21, 2010
"After quilting, teaching and running a shop for more than 33 years, Jean Wells decided she wanted to work more intuitively and create abstract designs. Her initial work with Nancy Crow started her on a wonderful path of exploration that she now shares with others. If you've not a class from Jean, this book is your chance to learn from her. To start with she suggests you really learn to see what's around you and keep a journal. She includes a variety of exercises to help you develop your use of color, design and piecing with such assignments as intuitive angle piecing, proportion, and color and value. Doing the exercises will make you a better quilter, whether you stick with traditional quilts or make art quilts. "

Review   Color the World - April 17, 2010
"There are many different ways in which I like to spend a sunny afternoon, one of them is to sit with a cup of tea and read through a new book. Reading through Jean Wells’ Intuitive Color & Design is an adventure in itself. Jean shows you how to open your eyes to see the multiple colours and shapes that surround us. You will learn to start your journal with confidence, explore colour families and related harmony to make the quilt design dance. You are inspired and provoked to see what actually attracts you to certain shapes, sizes and colours. Jean guides you through her assignments to convert your ideas into the finished art piece. She offers 11 assignments, starting with a journal, what tools you need, and shows you how to paper piece. Jean also goes into great details of the principles of design and scale, shape, patterns and colours. Every page has either inspiring landscape images, close up design photos and drawings to show you ‘How’ it all comes together. This book is an inspiration to me and I can recommend it to anyone who would like to broaden their horizon and develop their own artistic potential."