Featured Artist Sandra Sciarrotta

Artist Sandra Sciarrotta’s stunning fiber and mixed media kimono wall hangings are richly detailed with color and stitched design.

“Orient Express” Fiber and Mixed Media, 29.75” x 44.5”

Over a lifetime of learning to craft things with my own hands, I learned about that good feeling of accomplishment that I receive when finished and the headiness of having others enjoy my work. There has never been a moment when I have stopped working at creating my mixed media forms.

“If We Only had Wings Like a Butterfly” Fiber and Mixed Media, 26” x 41.25”

The love of fabric and design has been with me since I was a teenage girl. I first learned about sewing clothing when my friend, who was a wonderful seamstress, and I made our own prom gowns. This was exciting. I was inspired to find out that I could make all manner of wonderful things.

“Kimono in Green, Peach and Ebony” Fiber and Mixed Media, 25.5” x 38.5”

Quilting was something I added to my own clothing. I’d seen photos of Japanese workers whose clothing was quilted for warmth. So, I quilted collars, cuffs and even pockets on entire outfits.

“Sunrise and Sunset” Fiber and Mixed Media, 29.75” x 41.25”

When I discovered embroidery, in its many forms, I found joy in adding it to everything.

“Birds A-Nesting” Fiber and Mixed Media, 17.25” x 21.75”

I was inspired to learn how to make quilts, pillows and wall hangings. It was so exciting having some of my pieces published in and on the cover of a national magazine. In addition, I took first prize in a quilt show for my hand stenciled quilt. This accomplishment led me to begin teaching classes. I’ve been teaching classes in mixed media ever since.

“Yellow is Happiness” Fiber and Mixed Media, 21.25” x 33.5”

After art school, I began looking through craft magazines and found that there was a whole new world of artistic experience waiting for me, including embellishments galore. I fell in love with what I saw and began adding new embellishments to my wall hangings.

“Coral II” Fiber and Mixed Media, 30” x 40.5”

I wanted my kimono wall hangings to have different mounting pieces than the standard round dowel or metal piece. I looked everywhere seeking how to do this. The next major inspiration came when a friend showed me a quilting magazine by Sarah Kaufman, “Folded Log Cabin Quilts.” Ms. Kaufman made her own mounting devices or used farm implements to hang her pieces.

“Navy Blue and Wild” Fiber and Mixed Media, 24.5” x 39”

I thought this was great! I ended up finding used balustrades from old houses or made my own wall hanging devices which I sanded, painted or stained, then added a protective coating. Then I used painted twine to join the fabric and the mounting piece together to create my own, unique wall hanging.

“Cording Extravaganza” Fiber and Mixed Media, 34” x 42”

My body of work has multiplied and I have grown. I’m still in love with this process, always looking for the next great fabric.

See more of her work by visiting her website. Link to the original article here.