Finding My Art. We all have the need to feel special. I believe we are all born with a specialness inside. I always wondered what my specialness would be, where it was and when I would find it. What I’ve learned is that it was here all along.
– Angela
Early art…Restless nature
As a young child, I watched my older brother drawing cartoon characters and letterheads from memory. As a restless 12-year-old, I spent many hours drawing whatever I saw and liked. Looking for more tactile mediums, I learned to crochet from my mom. As a leftie, I had to learn by studying her through a mirror as she sat in front of me. With crocheting, I could occupy my restless nature by working on projects that involved making smaller pieces that were assembled into a larger one. I was hooked.
As a teenager, I started my own crocheting business but soon developed Carpal Tunnel in my hands. Looking for something to nurture my creative side lead me to take a 6-week quilting course at a local community college. The quilt was a simple pattern with 5 colors and all cotton fabrics. My quilt ended up with 7 colors with cottons and silks. I knew that I would be an art quilter.
Later in 2004, I opened my art quilt studio under the name FabricWorks Studio. By 2006, I had exhibited and sold my first quilts throughout North Carolina and South Carolina. Soon after that, I began exhibiting my quilts all over the US.
Quilting…Exhibiting my work
In 2008, I wanted to marry my digital artwork from Photoshop with my quilting work. This shift from piecing fabrics to sewing on digital wholecloths would become a signature style for my work. My digital quilts have won honorable mentions and innovation awards at various shows around the country.
In 2015, I wanted to return to using pieces of fabrics but to preserve my use of wholecloths. Today, I create mosaic textile pieces using commercial fabrics and my own born-digital fabrics; in addition to fibers such as yarns and twine.
Also in 2015, I started painting with acrylics on canvas and wood. For the next 2 years, I went on to create over 100 art pieces. I love the spontaneity of painting with acrylics. Also, working with wood as a substrate has become a love. Wood is sturdy, organic and makes me feel more “grounded” to the piece I’m working on.
Painting on canvas and wood
MY PROCESS (Textiles)
Ideation
Each piece usually begins with a concept or a design style to explore. I often incubate ideas for some time before beginning to work the piece.
Fabric
Auditioning and selecting fabrics is the most crucial stage. Fabrics of varying material, weights are chosen from commercial stock as well as my own digital fabrics.
Construction
This stage involves constructing, assembling the piece. For mosaics, fabrics are cut into many, many pieces and then assembled onto wholecloth. Sewing is also part of this stage and is usually completed for multiple pieces at a time.
Finishing
Finishing is typically determined before a piece is constructed. This stage involves trimming, binding, stretching/framing or attaching hanging apparatus. Considerations are made for whether the piece will exhibit.
My Studio Practice Ethos
Angela Heath Art is a culmination of almost 20 years of exploring different mediums in fabric, fiber, digital and paint. My studio practice ethos centers around –
- Benevolence – promote awareness and enlightenment
- Preservation – preserve my art legacy and journey
- Generosity – share what I have learned
- Aspiration – continually improve, grow and discover
angelaheathart.com 