Joan Walecka

My background as a painter influences my fiber art. For the work in this show I used a wide variety of fabrics, including cotton, linens, silks, and burlap. I always start with white or natural fabric and paint it with pigments or dye it with fiber-reactive dyes to obtain the colors. The "Ahersma" hanging was designed on a computer and then digitally printed with fiber-reactive dyes on white cotton twill.

Several hangings are whole-piece painted rather than pieced in the traditional way of making quilts. Sometimes various fabrics are painted, stacked, and cut through to reveal underlying layers, somewhat similar to being able to see the underpainting in a painting. The many layers, the wide range of textures and materials and the choice of color supports the basic concept of each piece

In general since the subject matter is usually mystical, the abstract design elements and symbolism support the idea of making visual what is beyond everyday perception.

During my transition from painting to making fiber art, I am grateful for the technical assistance given me at the Wednesday morning meetings of the High Country Quilters in West Jefferson.

Please feel free to contact Joan Walecka (336/877-3095 or 919/836-0926) with any questions or comments concerning these works.

Click on a hanging below to see a larger image.