Featured Artist: Mari Lyn Ampe

During the eight weeks of 'simply irRESISTible' we'll focus on individual artists here on our blog. Every week, three artists will be featured. Today, we're pleased to introduce to you: Mari Lyn Ampe from Saint Paul, MN.

Blue Flow

About the Pieces: These pieces began as paintings on cotton. They were then pole wrapped and resist dyed. This process of pole wrapping and dying is called arashi shibori.

The central panel in "Blue Flow" begged to be lightened to emphasized the warmer, lighter aspects of the red arashi step. The panels of Blue Flow were discharged, over-dyed, pieced and then machine and hand top-stitched. The blue emerges from the yellow clef of the background.

My work is about layering colors and textures to evoke space. My reference in these two pieces is landscape and my intention is to summon forth imaginative dream spaces.

Water Study

Artist Statement/Biography:

Mari Lyn Ampe became interested in printing on fabric as a student at the College of St. Benedict where she received a degree in piano performance and humanities.

She then studied color theory, drawing and design at the University of Minnesota where she graduated with an M.A. in Design.

Drawing and intaglio were primary mediums. She has focused on Fiber Art since being immersed in the rich, wonderful color pallet of procion dyes while attending workshops with Jane Dunnewold, Jane Myers Newbury, and Ana Lisa Hedstrom.

In addition to her art activities, she is an active organist in Minneapolis/St. Paul. Ms. Ampe has played recitals in Minnesota and at Notre Dame in Chaumont-en-Vexin, France on an antique Cavaille-Coll organ and has done serice playing in Rochester, England. She also is pursuing the study of Classical Realism at the Art Academy where she studies Renaissance oil techniques.

Ms. Ampe serves on the Board of Directors of l'Association Mary Cassatt in Berneuil en Bray, France. She lives in St. Paul with her husband, two adult children and granddaughter, Clara.