From felted wool wearables to surreal silk paintings and woven mixed media works, these fabulous fiber artists are highlighting the natural world in freshly fierce ways.

merrideejoan.com
A career forensic scientist, fiber arts brings color, texture, comfort, and pleasure into Merridee Joan Smith’s life. “Art requires passion to take one’s experiences and render in some personal form,” shares Smith. “Science and art require similar attributes, [which is] how I view my artistic process: a wonder of the world, creativity, serious study, and the ability to observe closely.”

What’s challenging about fiber arts?
Although ancient fiber pieces have been discovered intact, it’s well-known that bright light can damage a piece, so you must be aware of framing and preservation techniques and let clients know how to care for pieces.

What do you enjoy most about the medium?
I love the history, beauty, tactile quality, and variety of fiber arts. Just touching the silk, wool, and other beautiful fibers is delightful.

What inspires you?
As a California orchard farmer’s daughter, hiker, and lifelong gardener, I’ve always loved being immersed in the outdoors. My creations—paintings, botanical prints, and felted pieces—are inspired by the beauty outside my door in the Sierra Nevada, as well as by the gardens and scenes of my travels.
 

 

terryshearnart.com
After running a business sewing period costumes for weddings, Renaissance events, and Shakespeare festivals, Terry Shearn now teaches workshops and showcases her wearable works at numerous galleries. “I never go for a hike without picking up something to incorporate into my work; every leaf is a potential print,” she shares.

Why fiber arts?
The feel and freedom of working with natural materials like wool roving is amazing. What starts as fluff becomes a solid fabric; [it’s] magic! Botanical and natural dying is always a surprise. Leaves will print strong and bright in the fall, and the same tree—months later—will have different results. I’ve learned to let go; surprises are embraced, and disappointments turn into wonderful learning experiences.

How did you develop your skills?  
As a teen, I had trouble finding clothes I liked in stores, so I’d sew my own or alter what I found in thrift stores, which led to a love of sewing costumes, getting whimsical, and creating my own crazy patterns. Fifteen years ago, I discovered felting wool and was hooked; since it required particular color palettes, [it forced me] to experiment with natural dyeing and printing using leaves, flowers, stems, mushrooms, and lichens.  
 

 

pixeladies.com
Friends for 40 years, Deb Cashatt and Kris Sazaki (aka, “The Pixeladies”) are in their final season of collaborating after 20 years of building their artistic brand. “Neither one of us would have started on this path without the support of the other—we’re braver, hold each other accountable, and have complementary perspectives,” says Sazaki.

What about fiber arts do you love?
Fabric is tactile—we love running our hands over the finished pieces. Whether it be the fabric or the stitching, this medium adds another dimension to our work. Often focused on issues of social justice, our portraits of women highlight their courageous lives—whether advocate, activist, or artist.

What are your most cherished pieces?
The Fragility of Home is our latest style of work. We still use modern technology to print and collage text, but we started using traditional quilt patterns to tell part of the story.

Has creating as a team been challenging?
How we settle on a topic is often the result of hours-long, if not days-long, negotiation. But it’s that give and take that helps us create artwork we can both be proud of. Don’t be fooled though—we’ve sat on projects for years, because we couldn’t come to an agreement on how to execute certain ideas.
 

 

isabelryder.com
First working with fibers 50 years ago as a graduate student, Isabel Ryder is continuing her artistic exploration after retiring from a rewarding educational career. “I’m starting a series combining wire sculptures with fiber coiled baskets, and the challenges invigorate my creative spirit,” reveals Ryder. “The [most] exciting aspect of fiber arts is I can always go in a different direction each time I approach the medium.”

Where do you seek inspiration?
I see fiber patterns in nature, manufacturing, and everyday life. I love texture and color, so working with fiber is a natural connection to my studio work. What draws me to the medium is also interwoven with the challenges. Cotton fabric is much easier to work with than silk; knowing that leads me to sew the silk to a canvas before stretching it.

What pieces are especially noteworthy?
I’ve been weaving together canvas paintings for many years. The lively, vibrant results surprise and delight. I enjoy experimenting with various cores to create specific shapes and forms of baskets and continually look for ways to interweave fiber in interesting ways.

Do you have any advice for aspiring artists?
Experiment with as many types of fiber and processes, and study from as many cultures as you can. The amazing quilts I’ve seen with painterly subjects—like a guitarist or raging creeks—all contribute to the boundless directions to go in fiber arts.