Fiber art includes many different materials and techniques. These four artists present their work, and talk about their approach to being a fiber artist. Enjoy!
My textile art comes from my experience teaching fiber arts guilds—my students have inspired me to blend my painterly aesthetic and technique with fabrics and threads. Nowhere is this more apparent than with my Japanese shibori-dyed pieces. I create contemporary fine art wall hangings and artistic apparel using painted resist and traditional shibori dyeing methods.
I’ve had a strong interest in textiles and fiber art since I was in my early 20’s. I love natural fibers and use woven fabrics in creating hand-painted contemporary designs for wearable art and home décor. Fiber art is a welcome change in medium from my abstract painting career.
Comfort to me is always painting and fabric. I have painted and taught watercolor for many years. My mom was a quilter so I grew up surrounded by piles of fabric and the sound of a Singer.
My subject matter is usually scenes from my childhood vacations… the ocean, the Adirondacks or around horses. I use watercolor techniques on silk scarves with these subjects so you can not only see my art but feel comforted by wearing it as well.
When someone asks what I do for a living, I usually say “Artist.” That way I have no boundaries. Who knows what will interest me next? I love natural fiber, raffia in particular for it’s sculptural qualities. What I make most are funny hats and handmade lace.
Thank you for posting this. All of the artists represented bring such inspiration in highlighting the importance of traditional techniques applied by hand in current phase of textile design. All of your selected artists represent a facet of old world hand application that is still being practiced, refined and providing a unique spark among the thousands of yards of cloth being printed somewhere in the world as I am typing this comment. Thanks again. I will continue to follow your work.
Thank you, Michael, my friend! So great that a fellow artist and instructor likes our work!