An assignment for our Art Cloth Mastery class involves developing a discussion with power point accompaniment on our art development. After all, says our instructor, Jane Dunnewold, you need to be ready to discuss the evolution of your own style; it’s very interesting to the viewers and a gallery owner or curator may call on you to speak.
As painful as it may be, I knew she was right. So I delved into the project and quickly surmised that my real development in this field spans a little over five years with three distinct periods. I’ve divided it as follows: 2006-2007 — piecing.
Etude I
26″x33″, 2007
I worked with commercial fabrics, creating free-form designs with the smallest scraps. I was intuitively looking at color, value and line — even though I had yet to study those principles — that came later!
Incidentally, this piece was purchased by a dear friend whose enthusiast support continues to spur me onward.
The second period — from 2008 – 2009 marked the beginning of fabric manipulation with an eye toward dyeing, printing, stamping and in other ways, manipulating the surface.
Sunset at Chaco Canyon
26″x26″, 2008
Before I knew the term “flow” as applied to artists, I experienced it with the Chaco Canyon series and by the time I ran out of ideas, I had completed six works. In each one, I was attempting to capture the light and some of the mystery of that very special, magical place.
There is hand-dyed and printed cloth, found objects and MUCH intricate piecing.
Finally, the last period brings me to the present – a time where I study art cloth techniques and design principles in a very focused and concerted manner. The quest for meaning and content in my work will be on ongoing endeavor.
Emerging
24″x36″x1.5″, 2011
While the cloth is a starting point, I now utilize acrylic paints, paper lamination, collaging with additional cloth and papers. And I’ve found ink, loving to make marks in the design.
Class is coming up next week and I’m so looking forward to the time with my fellow students and hearing about their artistic path.