Introduction- Tell us a bit about yourself.
I live in Alexandria, have 2 young adult children, both of whom learned to sew in grade school, and several cats. My daughter is a costume designer, graphic artist and dances with Baton Rouge Ballet Theatre. My son is a painter and photographer. Artistic endeavor runs in the family. :-)
How did you get started making handmade items?
I've been making things since I could hold a crayon, and sewing since I could hold a needle. I started making my own clothes in 6th grade, when I got my Sewing Badge in Girl Scouts. Within a couple of years, I was not only making but designing my outfits.
What does a typical day look like for you?
I have an outside retail job, so the schedule depends on when I have to be at work, and what else I have to do (feeding the cats is a given). I did quite a bit of painting in the last couple of weeks to get ready for Second Saturday Art Market at the Alexandria Museum of Art on the 12th. I hope the weather warms up by then!
If you could tell someone anything about Louisiana, what would you tell them?
There are educated people who live here, and some of us got our education before we had our family. Not all of us hunt or fish, unless you mean hunt for bargains, and fish for compliments, LOL.
What is your favorite item to make?
I love making my handpainted and dyed scarves and other items. You never know exactly how the paint and dye will come out, so there is always that element of surprise when you see the finished product. I also love working on more complicated things, such as original art quilts, and watching what I work on take shape and go from my vision to reality. Often, those projects change in progress, usually for the better. There's nothing more amazing than working on a piece and realizing you really have something and it's GOOD. It doesn't always happen, of course, but that's the nature of art.
What is your favorite food from Louisiana?
Tonight: Gumbo (it's really cold!) I make king cakes, which disappear alarmingly quickly, so they must be pretty good (having a son who eats half the cake before his dad gets home doesn't hurt either).
Any other information you'd like us to know?
I am also a fiber and quilt artist, have won several awards, and had a piece selected to be published in "500 Art Quilts," a book published last March. My quilts and photography have also been displayed at the International Quilt Festival. Contemporary Fiber Artists of Louisiana, which I belong to, has a current exhibit touring the state; the virtual version of the exhibit can be seen here: http://cfalart.blogspot.com/
My photo site with fiber art and wearable art:
http://public.fotki.com/wlstarn/fiberart/no-subject-14.html
Etsy Shop!
http://www.SplendiferousFiber.etsy.com
ArtFire Shop!
http://www.artfire.com/users/splendiferousfiber
Blog!
http://splendiferousfiber.blogspot.com/
Facebook!
http://www.facebook.com/SplendiferousFiber
Show Wendy some love & visit her facebook page & tell her your favorite item! You can follow her wonderful blog too to keep up with Splendiferous Fiber!!
The winner from last week's featured artist giveaway is Jacqueline!
Great feature on Wendy! What a fabulous artist. I love her scarves, they're beautiful! I love the Saints-inspired scarf you have featured here, and also this Starry Night one
ReplyDeletehttp://www.etsy.com/listing/57226854/starry-night-handpainted-silk-scarf
I love splendiferousfiber; not only does she create beautiful scarve, but also she makes the most wonderful quilts! And she has a great sense of humor. I haven't met her in person, but I'll know her when I see her, because we'll both be accessorizing with gifts from our cats! Oh and yes, I like her/heart her and I follow her blog!
ReplyDeleteI like Dancing in the Moonlight! (Sounds like a great idea, but not tonight, it's toooo cold!) http://public.fotki.com/wlstarn/fiberart/no-subject-14.html
ReplyDeleteWonderful post on Wendy, Beautiful work!
ReplyDeleteI like the New Orleans Fleur des Lis Handpainted Silk Scarf: http://www.etsy.com/listing/44157361/new-orleans-fleur-des-lis-handpainted
Awww, thanks, everyone!
ReplyDeleteSharon, I hope you mean accessorizing with cat hair and not hairballs (I had to borrow a tablecloth for the last Artwalk I did, as I discovered too late that Someone, likely Boris, had adorned all my tablecloths)!
Wendy, who is trying to stay warm today
That's funny!!! I've never owned a cat, but they surely seem cool to have around!!!
ReplyDeleteWe have 3 at the moment. They're actually pretty WARM to have around right now! I need one to come sleep on my feet.
ReplyDelete