Fiber Art, this is an entire different universe, I discovered this type of Art a couple of years ago because some students in my class were majoring in Fiber Art. Their works in either our drawing or painting classes were greatly influenced by it. I have been fascinated by this discipline and I decided to take a class in that department, the art of paper making.

Fiber Art encompasses so many different things, anything and everything to do with Fibers and Textiles, it can be about, weaving, designing fabric patterns,cross stitching, embroidery, quilting, braiding, sculpting with fibers, paper making, sewing, I guess anything goes in this discipline.

The picture on the top right is my first attempt at making something artistic with anything that was fiber based, I used ropes of various sizes, old rags, wool and whatever. It is an acquired taste I know, still I find it playful and it gives me hope for my future endeavors with fibers.

I didn't even know until a couple of years ago that you could actually Major in Fiber Art. I saw some amazing realization at Concordia University that opened a new creative window in my brain, this is why I chose to take paper making this year. I am yet to explore all facets of Fiber Art. I find it intriguing and very exciting.

I recently discovered an artist called Guy Houdoin by walking into a second hand book shop, I was so impressed by his work that I bought the book. He graduated from the Fine Art School in Paris and used to paint until he discovered braiding/interweaving, in my opinion some of his best works are forms of braiding. The best site I managed to find to show you some of his work is a French Site, Houdoin also known as Odon has been in the Art World since 1970. http://pagesperso-orange.fr/co-art/galerie1.htm

I used to think that a quilt was just a pretty hand made blanket and that quilting was for Grandmothers, well lets say that I've changed my mind since then; there is a increasing amount of people getting into it and turning these Quilts into beautiful work of Art. Others are weaving or piecing together fabrics of all kinds and turning them into murals or installations. The following site is about Quilting and it shows many artists and their original works. If you have a chance to see a Quilting Exhibition don't miss it.
http://www.dairybarn.org/quilt/

Also, I am suggesting you check out the following sites that are showing you the various possibilities into the world of Fibers.

I really like Jana Morgan's blog, it is full of information about Fibre Art, she is an accomplished artist herself and has very interesting work:
http://fiberartstudio.blogspot.com/

The following site is a Fibre Artist Association:
http://www.surfacedesign.org/sdahistory.asp

The next site is of the Textile Museum, its role is to expands public knowledge and appreciation – locally, nationally and internationally – of the artistic merits and cultural importance of the world’s textiles.
http://www.textilemuseum.org/exhibitions/current.htm

Last but not least the Fiber Arts Magazine: http://www.fiberarts.com/

Well I hope this has awakened your curiosity about Fiber Art and that you will look at it all with an open mind and really see the Art behind it all!

By the way, I picked up my brushes and pencils and I am at it again...I am revisiting old stuff and giving them a fresh start and starting new projects as well.