Originally from Jasper, Indiana, Julia Sermersheim has a Bachelors and two Masters degrees in Education. She spent her teaching career with hearing impaired students who required a great deal of creative energy when she needed to explain unknown concepts. She has completed many classes in textiles and fiber manipulation. Download a PDF file of Julia's resumé.

ARTIST STATEMENT

Inspired by my mother and grandmother, who both quilted and made clothing for the family, I began sewing at an early age. In the early 1980’s, my mother and I made traditional quilts together. During one of those quilt-making adventures, I had several leftover blocks of cloth…what to do with them? I placed them on a flannel-draped wall, rearranging them for days to see what would or could occur. What a breakthrough – my first fiber art wall piece!

Over the years, I’ve found inspiration in a variety of places: nature, architecture, magazines and art of all kinds. Sometimes I sketch, other times I start with a piece of cloth and work through the process. Cream-colored duck canvas is my preferred base fabric, on top of which I paint, machine/hand stitch other fabrics onto it, and add embellishments. The abstract nature of my work allows me to use various materials and techniques. Eventually the exploration phase culminates in a finished piece that satisifies me.

My newest pieces incorporate some of the fabric I have recently hand-dyed. I aspire to create intriguing compositions with simplicity of line, using fabric manipulation and machine/hand stitching to express that concept. Each new piece has unexpected surprises waiting to be uncovered.

From threadbare beginnings to vibrant fiber art….a long, enjoyable journey!

Julia Sermersheim