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. View 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