Featured Artist: Keith Gustafson

During the seven weeks of 'Daily Fiber Intake' we'll focus on individual artists here on our blog. Every week, several artists will be featured. Today, we're pleased to introduce to you: Keith Gustafson.

"Under the Scope I and II"

As an artist I am influenced by what is happening around me and in my current life. Because of this my work’s subject matter and style is always changing. It allows me to experience new endeavors, and not get stuck into one idea or concept. My artistic philosophy is to have a very basic sketch of how I want a final project to look like. This idea is merely just an image I keep in my head, as my art is beginning to be produced it is evolving and changing. This allows me to not to feel restricted. In my current work, I’ve been interested in bacteria and how it affects the human body.

"Under the Scope I" Detail

"Under the Scope II" Detail

Featured Artist: Elizabeth Germann

During the seven weeks of 'Daily Fiber Intake' we'll focus on individual artists here on our blog. Every week, several artists will be featured. Today, we're pleased to introduce to you: Elizabeth Germann.

"Sunrays"

"Sunrays"

Elizabeth Germann graduated from Kutztown University with a degree in Fine Art: Crafts and a degree in Art Education in May 2010.  She chose textiles as a concentration within her crafts degree.   While studying at KU she took studio level weaving and structural fiber courses with Barbara Schulman and Rachel Chambers. With these courses focusing on weaving, dying, and felt making Elizabeth quickly became very passionate for textiles.  

The processes involved in creating her artwork are extensive, but it is the dying process where she feels most expressive.  Color is a very important aspect in her artwork.  Elizabeth enjoys painting the dyes on her warp threads and woven fabric to blend color transitions and allow for a more fluid appearance. 

She is currently teaching art in Harrisburg, PA at an after school program for inner-city students in grades kindergarten up to high school called The Center for Champions.  When she is not teaching her time is spent weaving and dying at her home near Hershey, PA. 

www.luckywalnut.com

"Sunrays" Detail

Featured Artist: Joseph Geiger

During the seven weeks of 'Daily Fiber Intake' we'll focus on individual artists here on our blog. Every week, several artists will be featured. Today, we're pleased to introduce to you: Joseph Geiger.

"Untitled 1"

"Untitled 1" Detail

Featured Artist: Rachel Chambers

During the seven weeks of 'Daily Fiber Intake' we'll focus on individual artists here on our blog. Every week, several artists will be featured. Today, we're pleased to introduce to you: Rachel Chambers.

"3229"

 "3229" Detail

I work in patterns, using repetitive processes, to transform ordinary materials into something more.  Through obsessively mark making, cutting and tying, dividing and gathering, I am deciding what I find most important and what needs a stronger voice.

"3231"

"3231" Detail

With every piece, I reevaluate my idea of repetition.  Beginning with the idea of a repeated motion I find great satisfaction in watching what was once a utilitarian everyday object transform into something that can be incorporated into a greater space.  I also enjoy the dialogue between what I have intended for myself through the piece, with the viewer’s interpretation.  

"One For Each"

"One For Each" Detail

Control is the backbone for pattern.  I feel that I have a better grasp on the concept if I have complete control of my materials and the pattern I am forming.

Featured Artist: Sarah Bucke

During the seven weeks of 'Daily Fiber Intake' we'll focus on individual artists here on our blog. Every week, several artists will be featured. Today, we're pleased to introduce to you: Sarah Bucke.

"Skinbroidery I"

Somewhere between the act of play and the digestion of my surroundings is where I prefer my thoughts to be located. I approach each day with this in mind, and in doing so it becomes an integral part of my work. The materials I chose to work with have their limits, but they can become items of wonder when manipulated by the human hand.  For me, this is the essence of creativity.  I love to see what things can do and how they can appear to an audience, much like the technique of trompe l’oeil where art can “deceive the eye”. Taking this and applying it with cotton, wool, and thread has allowed me to play and respond in ways that I would not otherwise be able to do.

"Skinbroidery II"

My work as a whole is a reaction to the environment, with particular focus on the man-made world. Whatever objects are in my sight become the subject, which I must then translate into fiber materials.  Power lines turn into embroidery floss, gift wrap turns into chain stitches, road signs turn into twill patterns, and suspension bridges turn into sheep’s wool. I tend to work with a large color palette filled with bright, saturated hues. There are some instances, though where I will refrain from it and use a minimal amount of color because sometimes that is all what is needed.  The structures and images I create are not necessarily made to resemble any of the things that I draw inspiration from, but rather they are made to be explored and considered so that others may feel compelled to be makers themselves.

"Skinbroidery III"

Featured Artist: Jennifer Biggs

During the seven weeks of 'Daily Fiber Intake' we'll focus on individual artists here on our blog. Every week, several artists will be featured. Today, we're pleased to introduce to you: Jennifer Biggs.

Untitled

As a child I was heavily influenced by comic books and animation, and I still find myself very drawn to strong graphics. The imagery I use in my work is generally a mash up of literary influences, illustration, science fiction, self-portraits and random doodles. None of these images really carry any meaning for me until I begin to work with them as textile pieces. Then they start to create their own meaning and their own story. Each piece has started to become a part of a story I wasn’t intending to tell.

Untitled, detail

Featured Artist: Tristyn Albright

During the seven weeks of 'Daily Fiber Intake' we'll focus on individual artists here on our blog. Every week, several artists will be featured. Today, we're pleased to introduce to you: Tristyn Albright.

Ode to Missoni

Art is me.  It is everything I am and everything I am not.  It is where I am going and where I have been.  As a fibers artist I prefer working in the area of non-loom: using fiber arts techniques that are not executed on a loom.  In my work I am most enthusiastic about utilizing non-traditional materials like wire for its sculptural quality and beads for the overall texture they provide.  With an obsessive compulsive love for detail in all facets of my art, I get a sense of accomplishment when I finish a vessel knowing how much time was consumed stringing the beads by hand.  In the body of work I am currently working on I have begun to push the technique, spoke-wrapping also referred to as tinkering, in different directions and have begun to incorporate found objects.  In the future I hope to continue experimenting to see how far I can push myself and my work toward larger forms and further incorporation of found objects.

Vagabond

Daily Fiber Intake Opens

Sunday, March 13, 2011 began in a flurry of activity.  Last minute details for the reception crowded our every thought, and dictated our every move: Sandwich board, check. Flowers, check. Name tags, Check. Food and Drink, Check. 

Gallery One: (Before the Reception)

From L-R: Flightless, N. Jones; Untitled, J. Biggs; Spring! M. Ritter-Mitchell; For A Good Time Call...,S.Hassler

Before long, the clock struck noon, and  the first of the musicians arrived from the Angelica Consort. We began our ritual of fretting about whether anyone would show up for the reception.  And like usual, we shouldn't have even worried.  Artists, friends, families, co-workers, trickled in a steady stream through our front doors, packing the Gallery, and making us wish for warmer weather so we could show off our new patio in the courtyard.  Music wafted down from the second door, sweet melodious tune after tune, while guests mingled and exclaimed over the work hanging on our walls and sitting on pedestals.

The Angelica Consort.

 Two hours passed almost too quickly, and our guests began to slowly make their way out the door. We were a little sad to see it end, a little glad the reception was a success, and a little hopeful that the artists involved were pleased.  Daily Fiber Intake will continue to hang in our space until April 17th, showcasing current students and alumni from Kutztown University's Fiber Arts department, under the head of Barbara Schulman. Please come, visit our Gallery, and see the brilliant works of these talented artists.

Gallery One (Before the Reception)

From L-R: Renewal, L. Ketter-Gates; Sunrays, E. Germaan; Skinbroidery, S. Bucke