The daughter of an artist and a scientist, Niraja Cheryl Lorenz began weaving as a teenager in Cambridge, Massachusetts. After high school, with a table loom and a foot locker of yarn, she explored the U.S. in her VW van visiting national parks and wilderness areas. Later she studied biology (B.A.) and psychology (Ph.D.). Quilting became her passion in 1994. After years of creating original pieces, she began studying with world-renowned fiber artist Nancy Crow in 2007. Her work quickly evolved as she discovered that she had a unique visual voice. After twenty years as a research psychologist, she is now a full-time studio artist. She lives in Eugene, Oregon with her partner and cat.

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