Pirjo Raits
Sooke News Mirror
Friendship and encouragement has kept a group of fibre artists together for the past 10 years. Where many groups scatter after a time, the eight women original belonging to Fibres & Beyond have remained inspired and enthusiastic.
“We share inspiration or gain inspiration from each other’s work,” said Elizabeth Tanner, artist and South Shore Gallery owner. “We meet monthly and that provides continuity.”
The group, now with 11 members, is celebrating their 10th Consider the Lilies show. As always the show and sale takes place, from April 14-22, at the historic St. Mary’s Church in Metchosin, where the lilies bloom in the church yard.
The members of Fibres & Beyond will present a rich and varied array of fabric and fibre artworks—wearables to wall pieces, jewellery and art dolls. Over the years their styles have evolved and changed with eight of the 11 members having shown in all 10 spring shows. Judy Seeley, Joy Garnett and Phyllis Lysionek have joined within the last three years.
The extraordinary artwork of Linda Danielson, Gail Erickson, Joy Garnett, Mary Holland, Irm Houle, Phyllis Lysionek, Judy Seeley, Elizabeth Tanner, Jessie Taylor-Dodd, Joan Taylor, and Isabel Tipton awaits your discovery inside.
The show is every day April 14-22 from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., except Sunday, April 15 from 12 to 4:30, and Sunday Aprol 22 from 12 to 4 p.m. at St. Mary’s Church, 4354 Metchosin Road.
When asked for sentences describing their current inspiration and artwork the following responses were given:
Linda Danielson: Currently I am producing ‘Mandala’ pin cushions as well as my art dolls with sculpted heads, hands and feet with costuming of fine fabrics and findings.
Gail Ericson: I continue to work with recycled wool fabrics fashioning jackets and vests suitable to our West Coast climate. These garments are created using pieced and applique techniques. I am planning future work with a wider variety of fabric incorporating stencils, stamping and fabric dyes.
Joy Garnett: I am needle felting to add texture, colour and design to wearables and accessories.
Mary Wolfe: I am currently creating functional art using fabric and yarn, using one of my book covers or wearing one of my knitted scarves puts art into everyday life.
Irm Houle: I have been painting silk which has been treated with sizing so that I don’t need resist lines. It is an interesting challenge.
Phyllis Lysionek: My work this spring is centred around a collection of shabby chic handbags, using recycled fabrics, buttons, driftwood and other bits and pieces.
Judy Seeley: I am finding paper beads intriguing and the possibilities limitless.
Elizabeth Tanner: It is all about yarn for me this year, fine weaving yarns, chunkier and fluffier knitting yarns and silk chenille for finger knitting.
Jessie Taylor-Dodd: By arrangement of shapes, line and colour I use thread, textile and paint in overlays to create little shifts in time.
Joan Taylor: I use collaged fabrics and thousands of machine stitches with coloured threads to interpret the natural world. 250-646-2045
Isabel Tipton: I adventure on with textile and thread.
For more information on the members and links to individuals, go to: www.fibresandbeyond.com.
Elizabeth Tanner also announced that she would be expanding her the South Shore Gallery to include more exhibition space which can be used for a more gallery-like display of art.
“It’s quite exciting and the artists have been encouraging,” said Tanner.
The new space will under go renovations during the month of May and expected to open with a featured show in June.
Fibers & Beyond will hold a retrospective show at the Coast Collective this fall and they will be inviting previous members to show their current and past works.
