Artist Profile--Sandy Keating

Our featured artist this month is Sandy Keating. When I think of Sandy's work, the word that immediately comes to mind is exquisite. Sandy has a fabulous sense of line, color and detail that makes her work a delight to look at. There's nothing like seeing her fiber work in person, but you can get a pretty good idea of the beauty of it here.

1. What are the main mediums you use? What do you find satisfying about them?

My heart belongs to fabric and my favorite drawing tool is my sewing machine. I'm always experimenting with ways to manipulate fabric. I paint it; run it through my ink-jet printer; apply gel transfers to it; cut it; tear it; layer it; burn it; reassemble it. I love the warmth and texture of fabric. The rhythm of the sewing machine is very meditative and a line of free-motion stitching adds an interesting layer of movement over the surface of collaged fabric.

I was a calligrapher years ago and simply adore handmade books and beautiful letterforms.

2. If someone were going to get started in those mediums, what suggestions would you give?

Look, learn and experiment.

Books, magazines, blogs, youtube demos.

Find a peer group. Take classes. Ask questions. Play with techniques and materials. Practice.

3. A perfect art day would look like_________

Friends, food, and plenty of art supplies.

4. Do you have dedicated studio space? Give a brief description of where you work.

I work in a spare bedroom. Previously I had the entire upstairs for a studio, but when the stairs became too difficult I had to move to the main floor. I have MS and can't stand up and work the way I used to, so I'm always looking for better ways to make my space more accessible from a rolling chair. My space is organized with stations: paints/fabric/papers/glues/beads/library.

5. Favorite place you've visited or lived?

I love the delicious clouds of the Pacific Northwest. Growing up in the suburbs of LA, I was spoiled by year-round moderate weather, but deprived of interesting skies.

I've had the unique experience of spending time in a small village in Romania where my daughter-in-law's family has lived for generations. I have a collection of sketches from my trip two years ago.

6. What inspires you (or are there recurring themes in your work)?

Inspiration: Quotes, poems, words. Texture and color. The stitch line from my sewing machine. Calligraphy

Themes: Calligraphic lines, hands, nature, story.

7. I still struggle with_________

the lack of respect for the fiber arts. And I'll never get used to having limited energy for my work. When I'm "in the zone" it's frustrating to have to quit and rest.

8. I'd be lost without__________

my husband. He takes care of everything so that I'm able to spend my limited energy in my studio. MS has taken so much from me, but my passion for art keeps me excited and stimulated. I'm always thinking about projects and compositions, colors and textures, words and quotes.

9. Favorite dessert?

Luckily, I don't have a sweet tooth, however a little slice of cheesecake with fresh berries is divine.

10. What's on the horizon?

Another trip to Romania is planned for this summer and I'm looking forward to doing a lot more sketching.