Merce Mitchell sent me another progress pic of her current work in progress.

The Beyond The Fringe opening is this Friday!

Artist Karen Wittwer will be in this year’s Beyond The Fringe. She has a cat who likes to help out too.

What drives you to create?
I have always had the drive to create…My parents were both very creative and encouraged my messing around.

Why did you choose fiber as your medium?
Fabric and fibers have been a part of me forever. I love the malleability, the texture, the colors, the freedom of expression it encourages. I see, I feel, I hear with fibers. I am a very tactile person.

What kind of materials do you incorporate into your art? Where do you find them?
Materials basic in my work to date-silk (which I dye), linen, cotton, and findings. Findings are serendipities… never knowing when/where it will be used. Bead shops, my backyard, wherever.

How much time do you typically invest in a piece?
I have no notion when I begin a work as to how long the process will be….months rather than weeks. Also, I usually get three ideas that spring immediately from the original.

What is your process to turn your artistic vision into the finished piece?
Quilts: joy and positive messages…bright colors, words, embellishments. What one looks at daily becomes part of the energy to the body. Inner Expression Pieces….intuitive, spirit….layers to take viewer in, reflection of self different and usually deeper each time the piece is viewed.

What is the special meaning or message behind your work?
To enrich a person’s life-inner and outer. Quilts: joy and positive messages…bright colors, words, embellishments. What one looks at daily becomes part of the energy to the mind and body. Inner Expression Pieces….intuitive, spirit….layers to take viewer in, reflection of self different and usually deeper each time the piece is viewed. To find oneself and allow expansion-”aha” vision. Or to just like the colors and the design !!

Some artists create their art for therapy purposes. Does that apply to you?
Hmmmm-Don’t know. Only I must do this when a thought materializes…

What artists do you admire most?
Charla Khanna…dolls with “voices”..

Where do you find inspiration?
I find inspiration everywhere—inside and outside of my head and heart…I gather the materials (I might use) that mirror the feeling…then I create. There is a nugget of the idea in the finished piece, because I go with my zen. Pieces are not planned and then layed out.

Do you have any upcoming projects or art shows this year?
I am always ” feeling” new pieces to do. My overall work is very unusual (maybe), because I also do quilt wall pieces and use other mediums on board or canvas.

How can people contact you?
wittwer @ taosnet . com

Here’s a picture of her studio: