an art tour

I have been asked to participate in a blog tour that focuses on the artistic process. I think that this is always an interesting and fun subject, so here I am. Cathy Mendola is the blogger before me, so do take a moment to read her post and click back for other artists participating.

City Love Affair 3 (detail) © Natalya Aikens

~what am i working on?

Quite a few things are currently on my plate. 

First I am getting ready to teach in New Jersey at the Create Retreat. So I'm checking my supplies, packing samples and going over lesson plans.

I am working on my latest in the home portrait series. This is a fun project as I get to work with the homeowners ephemera and photographs and translate that into a fiber artwork.

I am also slowly plugging along on the next in my St. Pete Cathedrals series. This art is inspired by the many architectural wonders of St. Petersburg, Russia and is very intensely hand stitched.

And last, but not least, and actually the largest, is a big piece that will be part of the City Lines series which is inspired by NYC. I haven't shared anything about this yet as it is in it's very beginning stages of planning, drawing and tentative stitching. But there will be a few peeks coming up soon.

~how does my work differ from others of its genre?

hhhmmmmm........ is it my point of view? Of course. Also perhaps it's my architectural subject matter. And quite likely, it differs because of the materials I use. Almost exclusively I use vintage linens and recyclables such as plastic shopping bags. Very rarely will you find commercial or hand made fabric in my current art. I like to challenge myself with my materials.

~why do i write/create what i do?

Because I have to. I need that creative outlet for my energies and emotions. It's the best kind of meditation and/or therapy. Creating something with your own two hands is extremely gratifying. And putting it out there for the world to see, hopefully adding beauty to the world is the icing on the cake.

~how does your writing/creative process work?

That differs with each project. Usually I get an idea in my head and then I gather my inspirations and materials to create it. Other times a photograph or a piece of material will demand to be made into art. Whichever way I start a project it always includes a lot of listening to the muse in my head as I play with my materials. My art-making is intuitive to the core, it's in my nature to go with the flow.



Thanks for reading! For next Monday, do check out these friends of mine and see what they have to say about their artistic process.

Deborah Boschert creates collages with fabric and stitching. She uses all kinds of materials including vintage linens, commercial prints and original fabrics created with painted patterns. Her work explores themes of home, adventure, growth and identity using symbols like houses, stones, botanical elements and handwriting. She always includes bits of hand embroidery to add detail and texture. Her work is layered with translucent fabrics, frayed edges, splotches of paint and stitched patterns. She lives in a suburb of Dallas with her husband and two kids.

Vivien Zepf is an artist, writer, and photographer.  As a self taught photographer, Vivien's images focus primarily on the natural world and vary from macro to panoramic views.  Her textile art ranges from representational to abstract.  The art in both disciplines share common elements such as saturated colors, strong graphic elements, and relatively uncluttered compositions.  Vivien's writing is a natural progression from her years as a college English major and is supplemented by what's she's learned from making art, contemplating the art of others, and being a museum docent.