Artist Connie Fernandez will be in this year’s Beyond The Fringe. She was also in last year’s BTF show as well. The piece below is a detail from a shawl. It is a close up of her traditional colcha embroidery.

What drives you to create?
It’s the desire to create a piece that is beautiful and, hopefully, inspiration or thought-provoking.

Why did you choose fiber as your medium?
Fiber is multi-faceted and versatile, and it connects one back to the earth.

What kind of materials do you incorporate into your art? Where do you find them?
For traditional colcha, I use hand spun and natural dyed yarns. For contemporary pieces, I’ll often include commercial wools/synthetics/metallics and even found objects.

How much time do you typically invest in a piece?
The time invested in a piece varies: it could be one week to several months.

What is your process to turn your artistic vision into the finished piece?
It always involves a meditative silence and often dreams.

What is the special meaning or message behind your work?
Traditional pieces reflect Hispanic culture and heritage. Contemporary pieces often reflect a current situation-political, geographical, etc.

Some artists create their art for therapy purposes. Does that apply to you?
My colcha is more for creativity and relaxation. I especially enjoy teaching this art to the younger generation.

What artists do you admire most?
I especially admire the work of the colcheras who have taught and encouraged me: Monica Sosaya-Halford, Beatrice Maestas-Sandoval, Julia Gomez and my prima (cousin) Carmen Velarde.

Where do you find inspiration?
I find inspiration in numerous places: nature, photography, paintings, newspapers, everyday life scenarios and my dreams.

Do you have any upcoming projects or art shows this year?
I’ll teach a colcha class in connection with the Taos Wool Festival.

How can people contact you?
(575)758-7608

This progress picture is titled “El Sufrimiento de Rwanda” and will be in the show.