CALM-After the passing strom was my piece for the Dallas Area Fiber Artist 2025 Beyond Boundaries.  July 1-August 9,2025 at the C.C. Young, The Point.

And, August 19-September 14 at Grandville Arts Center.

Below is my artist statement for the shows.

CALM - After the passing storm

I enjoy trying to show peace and possibilities in my pieces. Using the beauty of nature I wanted to inspire the viewer to take time to stop and refresh. We all need moments to breathe in color, nature and hope before going on to tackle whenever storms are surrounding us. With so many problems to fix, tasks to contend with or even dreams we worry we'll never fulfill, my hope is to instill a moment of calm. A moment that will give the viewer the motivation to push across whatever lines hold us back.

At a glance it may not be obvious that CALM is constructed on a four square grid. I used a strong horizontal line for the border of earth and water and an equally firm line to define the tempest moving across the water and the calm after the storm with its reflections on the now flat water.

Quadrant #1, the radiant possibilities: blue hand dyed fabric with gentle quilting lines and fluffy cotton clouds anchor this area. Details include trees from finely cut scraps, and vibrant rays of light bursting from the clouds (Angelina fibers). This is the most important of the quadrants as it is the one that captures the finally CALM after the storm moves on>

Quadrant #2, gentle reflection: carefully placed fabric scraps and blue freemotion stitching lines designed to evoke the feeling of peaceful reflection.

Quadrant #3, the storm being pushed off: a gray background fabric set the stage for the dreary weather. Handmade paper lace has a gradient dye pattern to show the storm passing away. Silver thread and beads are used to show the rain.  The threads start on the far edge but tapers to nothing as the storm moves off.

Quadrant #4, the wild water: The storm produces quite the scene on the water.  However the waves also start to calm as the storm moves off (blue netting, beads, paint and cotton).

Background fabric is hand marked and machine stitched.

Below are some work in progress photos and some detail shots.

Inspiration fabric, used as the sunset.

Painting the background

Playing with colors

Waves and rain

reflections

I hope you enjoyed learning about my piece.

Have a wonderful day!!

MaryEllen

 

For this piece I really wanted to experiment with working in 3 dimensional.  My inspiration was vintage ceramic lady napkin holders.

Well, as you you can see my piece is neither a lady nor ceramic but the idea for the slits around the piece is my nod to those charming collectables.

The base for my piece is paper mache which is a new technique for me.  I started with a round cardboard base, added the slits and layered paper strips with a glue mixture. I was really making the technique up as I went along.

I experimented with a lot of different papers including old Christmas wrappings paper.

After I finished the base I added texture and details.

Below: twisted tissue paper was added to the bottom and top edges.

Lace pieces were fussy cut and glued in place for the flowers.

After all the embellishments were added lots of experimenting happened with painting.

I wanted a natural look but muted so as not to distractonce the embroideried textile ribbon was put in place.

Base 9" X 6.5".

Once the base was finished it was time to add the embroideried ribbon.

And, of course, I forgot to measure the ribbon before wrapping it onto the base. So, about 3" wide and double sided by approximately 6' long.

Below: details of the ribbon.

Below: the finished piece.

Round and Round will be part of the Dallas Area Fiber Artist 2025 show Beyond Boundaries. July1-August 9 ar C.C.Young, The Point.

Below is my artist statment for the show.

For this piece I abandoned the harsh lines we tend to box ourselves into and concentrated on the flow found in nature.  I wanted to demonstrate the uncomplicated beauty around us as it wraps us and the world in a wild unkempt 

spiral of nature's beauty.

The piece is meant to represent a freeform display of peace and comfort.

Base: paper mache, vintage lace, tissue, wool. and paints.

Ribbon: Various fabrics, embroidery threads, beads, lace, silk ribbon, vintage linens. etc. 

 

I hope you enjoyed seeing my experiment into 3-D.

Have a wonderful day!

MaryEllen

The Junk Journal

 

The Junk Journal was a piece I made for a guild challenge, "Pushing the Envelope".  I was provided a kit with envelopes and a variety of paper embellishment options. The challenge was to use at least one envelope and two other materials from the kit.

Taking inspiration from the popularity of junk journal books I fashioned this mixed media wall hanging.  To me it is really a sampler of mixed media products (paper and textiles), fun techniques and interesting materials.  I enjoyed the challenge of mixing paper products with fabric and especially with stitch.

Below are details of my piece.

Above: one of the required envelopes, fabric hexi & button, fabric flower, inks, velum which was one of the provided items.

Above: paper note with machine embroidery writing, white sheer material (not sure what it really is) also a provided material.

Above: the sheet of paper is really cotton fabric with machine stitching for the "writing lines".

A piece of my handmade paper in the lower corner.  That paper was a challenge to add as it wanted to crumble when stitched.

Above: miscellaneous fabrics, paper with blue squares is velum. 

The trim is an attempt at a knotting technique from the 1600's I've researching.

Above: music note ribbon, mini clothespin, handmade fabric beads, more envelopes, more of that crazy white sheer with stencils and handwriting.

The piece is definitely a lot of different materials and techniques.  It was fun going through my stash for ideas and using up odd bits of leftovers.

In the end The Junk Journal really became a learning journal by using new materials and thinking outside the box.

Pushing the Envelope challenge will be part of the 2025 Beyond the Boundaries show being exhibited at C.C. Young, The Point, in Dallas TX.  July1-August 9, 2025.

I hope everyone is staying cool!

MaryEllen