Die Spur Der Steine, 74 x 90 cm (29 x 35 inches), ©2008 Isabelle Wiessler
By far the most interesting aspect of keeping a blog is meeting new people, both nearby and from the other side of the globe. It has opened up a whole new world for me, mostly online, but sometimes in person.
This week I was fortunate to have a studio visit from a friend I met through my blog. Isabelle Wiessler, an artist from Gundelfingen, Germany, and her husband were travelling to the U.S. to visit her daughter, who is working in a nearby town, and to see some of the sights in Colorado and neighboring states. She e-mailed me before coming over, asking if I ever had open studios. I don’t live in an area with many other artists, so I’ve never had an open studio, but I replied that I would be happy for her to just come for an informal visit some time while she was in the area.
I was somewhat apprehensive as to what I would talk about, since I’m not the most outgoing of individuals. But it turns out I need not have worried, because Isabelle is warm and friendly and genuinely interested in everything relating to textile art. We had a lovely conversation about our different working methods as I showed her my studio setup and my work. I also learned something more about what it’s like to be a textile artist in Europe versus here in the United States. We here are very fortunate to have so many opportunities to exhibit our work.
Verfall, 70 x 104 cm (28 x 41 inches), ©Isabelle Wiessler
While I was looking at her web galleries, I was especially struck by this image. It looks like something I would have photographed myself if given the chance. Isabelle uses a lot of different materials in her work, including Tyvek and Lutradur, as well as dyeing her own fabric. She also includes a lot of embroidery and handwork. Beautiful!
I wish I had heard this conversation about being “a fiber artist in Europe versus in the United States”!
The topmost image made my jaw drop. It’s so simple, yet leaves me feeling like I stood in that place, saw what she saw, felt the experience.
Hello, Eva. I would love to have a conversation with you sometime. Perhaps one of us will travel to the other’s location some day.
Cathy, yes I agree. I loved this image!
Wow, what a discovery. Her work is wonderful. I’d love to see a show with your work and hers – landscapes and layers.
Thank you so much, Deidre!
I’m back in Germany since a couple of days and had to catch up with lots of different things. I enjoyed my visit so much over by Deidre, have the possibility to see your quilts “live” and not only from your blog or catalogs.
I appreciated your kindness, interest for european textile art and the very open way you explained me about your process of work.
Thank you also for the responses wich help on giving the feeling to go the right way.
The first image is from the ocean in the south of Britany (France) and the second from a place nearby, an old train station for commercial railroad wich is abandoned.
(sorry for my englisch)