Having decided to include both drawings and stitched work in Drawing Threads, I have been thinking quite a bit about multi-disciplinary artists lately. I’m sure their motivations are as varied as the artists themselves, but I do wonder about the thought process of those who choose to divide their energy between mediums.
Divide and Conquer ©2017 Elizabeth Fram, Stitched-resist Dye and Embroidery on Silk, 14 x 11 inches Photo: paulrogersphotography.com
The main reason that drawing has become such a mainstay in my own practice boils down to time. Being able to complete a thought and have a sense of accomplishment in one sitting, rather than the days into weeks that large textile pieces require, has propelled my ideas forward much more quickly in both disciplines.
Key Lime Pie ©2017 Elizabeth Fram, Ink on Paper, 11 x 8.5 inches
The following is an excerpt on the subject of multi-disciplinary work from an interview with Lisa Ferber on the Huffington Post Blog, 3.21.12
Explore. Don’t feel a need to stick to just one method of self-expression. “You are not just a writer or an artist — you are a creative person, so don’t limit yourself to a particular medium, such as painting, writing, or performing,” says Ferber. “I love being multidisciplinary. I see myself and all people as unlimited creative forces. I always create out of joy, whether it’s with a pen or a brush or in front of a video camera.
With that thought in mind, I’d like to share several of my favorite artists from Instagram who spread their work between more than one discipline.
- Australian artist Veronica Cay, pairs drawings/paintings with ceramic sculptures. She often incorporates snippets of fabric into both, adding an interesting dimension that — no big surprise — is particularly appealing to me.
© Veronica Cay “Transgress”, 2014 (left) “Whatever Happened”, 2017 (right)
- Nigel Cheney is an extraordinary draughtsman from the UK whose eye for detail also translates into a passion for stitch.
©Nigel Cheney “Hare”, 2009 (left) “Cinquecento”, detail 2010 (right)
- Geninne Zlatkis’ work depicts animals, birds, and plants. She paints their images on paper, tools them into leather, and etches them into the pottery she creates. She also makes masterful hand-carved stamps. Her stunningly colorful photography captures the New Mexico landscape where she lives and the natural objects she collects from it.
©Geninne Zlatkis “Blue Bird”, (left) Leather Cuff, 2015 (right)
- Zachari Logan, whom I’ve written about before here and here, combines a spectacular drawing practice with equally intriguing ceramic sculptures.
©Zachari Logan “Fountain I”, hand-built clay body, 4x4x4.5 feet, 2013 (left) “Metamorphosis 2”, blue pencil on mylar, 10 x 17 inches, 2013 (right)
- Lynn Chapman is a self-described plein air painter, textile artist, and illustrator from the UK. She is very active with Urban Sketchers. The lines of her drawings are fluid, economical, and very expressive, while her textile pieces celebrate color and marks with an equally flowing feel.
© Lynn Chapman “Cafe Ceres 11” (left) “landscape detail” (right)
I’d be remiss if I didn’t also mention friends who balance more than one discipline…
- Dianne Shullenberger’s textile collages, colored pencil drawings, and sculptural objects are an ongoing expression of her love for nature.
- Almuth Palinkas is a tapestry artist and painter. Her devotion to beauty is evident in all her work.
- And Roz Daniels makes striking art quilts that, as with her stunning photographs, depict her strong inclination toward simple geometry.
And of course many, many masters delved into multiple mediums.
One final thought: when you have time, read this article about Ellsworth Kelly’s Temple for Light, which is an inspiring culmination of multidisciplinary achievement and, in many ways, a place to worship the deep waters of creativity.
