 |
| Monet Matters, 70% merino wool 30% mohair wet and neddle felted |
Artist’s Statement
I am a quilt artist and felt artist. The quilter in me wants to follow the traditional construction methods of the utilitarian patchwork quilt. As an artist, I gleefully ignore such restrictions and play with innovative techniques to create contemporary artwork. Conversely, my felt art employs the traditional, time honored and labor intensive technique of wet felting to create sculptural vessels and wall art. No machines, no knitting or sewing. Just wool fibers, water, a little soap and a lot of elbow grease.
While the origins of many techniques used by textile and fiber artists began as utilitarian, such as quilting, weaving and felting, the uses of textiles and fibers in art have undergone a transformation over the years, transcending the domestic arts to folk art, from folk art to fine art. It is very exciting for me to be a part of an art form that has such deep roots in our culture and history.
 |
| Monet Matters, detail |
My need to create and express my inner self has always been central to my life. I’ve had extensive training and/or degrees in theatre and dance and I’ve taken numerous courses in quilting. But, in the fine arts, I am self taught. I use textiles and felt the way other artists use paint. I am fascinated by the relationships of color and the effects of light and shadow. As a fiber artist, I’ve gained a deeper sense of freedom of expression which I couldn’t find in the collaborative arts.
I am awed and humbled by the power and beauty of nature. To see the sun setting on the ocean is such a serene spiritual experience. The colors of autumn shows us that even late in life we are still beautiful, if not even more so than when we were young. Seeing the garden coming back to life renews one’s sense of hope and faith. The view from the top of a mountain puts the world and all our insurmountable problems back into proper perspective. It is in nature that I feel close to God. It is in nature that I find my inspiration.
SELECTED EXHIBITIONS
2010 New Hope Arts Center, PA Second Skin, 2010
2009 New Hope Arts Center, PA Second Skin, 2009
2004 Prallsville Mills, Stockton, NJ Autumn Quilts
2004 Edison, NJ New Jersey Quilt Convention - juried
2002 Prallsville Mills, Stockton, NJ Fall Harvest of Quilts
2001 Orleans, France Le Automne de Patchwork
1999 32nd St. Armory, New York City Spring Festival of Quilts
1997 32nd St. Armory, New York City Spring Festival of Quilts
1995 The Puck Building, New York City Fall Festival of Quilts - juried
1993 John Jay College, New York City Quilts in Miniature
SELECTED AWARDS
1999 32nd St. Armory, New York City 1st Place and Best Innovative Award
1998 Vermont Quilt Festival, Northfield 2nd Place and Judge's Choice Award
1997 Vermont Quilt Festival, Northfield 3rd Place
GALLERIES
2004 Nova Fine Art, Clinton, NJ Black and White
2003 Gallery Petite, High Bridge, NJ Natural Wonders
2003 GalleryOneMain, High Bridge, NJ Summertime Hues
No comments:
Post a Comment