Beyond The Fringe Interview: Merce Mitchell
Merce Mitchell is a fiber artist and curator of both Beyond The Fringe shows. Kudos to her for arranging both of them!
What drives you to create?
It’s just something inside myself that I honor and that I have to do. My hands translate what is beyond words for me.
Why did you choose fiber as your medium?
Originally, because it was natural. I didn’t want my materials to contribute to the corruption of our environment. But wool turned into felt is a magical process and the material is rich and offers many dimensions. I primarily work with my handmade felt and threads, although I am adding in other elements like recycled material, wire and acrylic paints.
What kind of materials do you incorporate into your art? Where do you find them?
As I mentioned above, I make felt, most often from naturally dyed wool. Most is locally produced. I am open to other fiber materials if an art piece calls for it.
How much time do you typically invest in a piece?
I can work on a piece for 1 week to 2 months, depending on size and how much sewing goes into it. Just making the felt, if I am using it as material to cut and sew, can take up to a week.
What is your process to turn your artistic vision into the finished piece?
After making the felt in the colors that I want to work in, I have been machine embroidering some of it, cutting it up into shapes that I then sew onto a felt backing. I hand embroider the piece, sometimes stuff some of the felt pieces as I sew them down. I’m adding some crocheted elements into my artwork for this show as well. I let the process direct me for what actually happens, what develops into the art.
What is the special meaning or message behind your work?
I definitely tend toward conceptual art! But each piece tells its own story, has meaning for me, but also connects with others. I hope my art has a myriad of meanings for many people.
Some artists create their art for therapy purposes. Does that apply to you?
Art heals. Art moves things through us, sometimes out of us and sometimes just translates for us. I feel compelled to make art and my world stays in better balance. I believe that our creativity, when expressed, can change us. The process hasn’t solved all my problems, but rather has put me face to face with the messy life.
What artists do you admire most?
Ana Mendieta, Andy Goldsworthy, Terri Mangat, abstract expressionism.
Where do you find inspiration?
Going to sleep or just waking up. Music.
Do you have any upcoming projects or art shows this year?
Planning to be at the Taos Wool Festival. Two more fine art shows in Taos in the fall.
How can people contact you?
mercemitchell @ hotmail . com
1 comment March 12th, 2010
