Margaret Abramshe has been passionate about art since a young child. With a degree in art education and a masters in visual art, she used her talents to teach in public education. Now she is a full-time studio artist, painting fabrics and stitching to create her art.
How did you find yourself on an artist’s path? Always there? Lightbulb moment? Dragged kicking and screaming? Evolving?
It’s been a passion for as long as I can remember. As a child my mother sent me to a Waldorf preschool and kindergarten. The school emphasized imagination and creativity.
In elementary school I took classes at the Honolulu Art Museum. I took art classes all four years in high school and enrolled in a BFA program in college. Eventually I added a degree in Art Education and a masters in visual art.
After retiring from my career in public education I wanted nothing more than to be a full-time studio artist.
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How did you get started making fiber art? Why did you choose that medium?
I accidentally found fiber arts in my doctors office where there was a copy of Quilting Arts in the waiting area and an art quilt hanging on the wall. It turned out my Doctor was the artist who made the quilt. Next thing I knew I was down the fiber art rabbit hole.
You are now writing a weekly blog. How does this experience relate to your art?
I currently write on “Substack”(An Artist Backstory). Increasingly writing has become a creative outlet for me which enriches my studio experience. Although I had written a blog in the past, last year I had an exhibition of 25 pieces at my local art museum which started me writing again.
I was asked to provide information for visitors for each piece. I had short statements on file that I use when entering work into a juried exhibition. As I read these short statements I realized that overtime the statements weren’t enough. When I started my Substack my goal was to write about the connections between one of my art quilts and art history, social history, and literature. It has been a joy to try each week to expand my understanding of the creative process and share those insights with others.
How does your environment influence your creativity?
I live in a beautiful place surrounded by a community of mostly landscape enthusiasts. I am for many reasons happy to let others document that beauty. I could have my studio in most places that have a good internet connection, a park to walk in, a garden to read in, an organic grocery, a quiet place for meditation, and a bookstore.
When it comes to creating, are you more of a planner or an improviser?
I am a planner. I have a list of future projects, ongoing series of work, a number of printed and ready to paint fabrics,
How do you manage your creative time? Do you schedule start and stop times? Or work only when inspired?
I work everyday at some part of the creative or promoting my creative activity. I have a to do list that I keep on my phone. I always have something on my design wall that I can jump into even if I am binding the last project.
Are you a “finisher”? How many UFOs do you think you have?
I don’t do UFOs! I complete everything I start or toss in the trash (not often, but it happens). I bind, photograph, enter into inventory and write an artist statement.
That said, I also revisit old projects and cut them up. They are reassembled with other old work.
Do you have a dedicated space for creating? If so, what does it look like?
I have an office size room that can be entered through my pantry’s hidden door or through a door to the garden off the garage. It is in the house but secluded. The space is filled but well organized with custom shelves. I do not have a computer in that space. It’s dedicated to work. Until recently I had a bay in the garage for printing fabric. (I hope to reclaim it soon…..)
Do you use a sketchbook or journal? How does that help your work develop?
I journal for 10 minutes every morning after meditation. The journal is not always about my creative practice but it helps me clear my head. It’s invaluable.
My sketchbook practice was in full swing during lockdown. I have a cart of supplies that I roll out to my covered patio. Today, I have to wait for temperatures to remain below triple digits before I start again. I do use my ipad to sketch when it’s this hot.
How often do you start a new project? Do you work actively on more than one project at a time?
Big projects usually take me three weeks from start to finish. Currently I have 5 completed big new projects.
I also do smaller work in between to sell at a local gallery. These take a few days. In addition I have been cutting up older work and creating new compositions which take a little more than a week.
Can you tell us about the inspiration and process of one of your works? How does a new work come about?
I have been working on some small pieces printing with thicken dyes. I learned this process at a workshop last fall and started searching pinterest for ideas.
There I discovered the work of “Rex Ray”. He collages his printed papers onto a flat surface. I loved everything about him and his style.
I want to combine the images I have been using in the Library of Congress (free to use, no restrictions) from the Anthony Angel Collection. In this case I am inspired by new materials and a newly discovered aesthetic. This is the beginning stage of something new.
Which part of the design process is your favorite? Which part is a challenge for you?
I am a painter. I paint the entire surface. There is nothing better for me than mixing colors and adding elements.
The challenge is quilting. Tension is a problem when working with a painted surface. I am now using a longarm and when I switch threads I have to be very careful. It is almost impossible to pull out stitching on a painted surface.
How does your formal art education help your work develop? Does it ever get in the way?
My education in the visual arts is a huge advantage. I may have to learn technique, but understanding design is what I have done for the last 40 years.
Is there an overarching theme that connects all of your work?
My work is always connected to my own life. I say it best in my artist statement. “My subject matter is always connected to my life, my relationships, my internal struggles, and a ongoing dialogue with the world.”
How has your creativity evolved over the years? What triggered the evolution to new media/kinds of work/ways of working?
Time is the biggest factor. As a busy art teacher I had only a few weeks in the summer to devote to my studio. When I retired I was able to dive into a full time studio practice. I tend to let work evolve. I don’t jump from one medium or technique. I build on my background knowledge. This allows me to get closer to mastery.
Do you enter juried shows? Do you approach your work differently for these venues?
I do enter juried shows. At one point I would stack up calls and design something in my style that would fit the theme. Lately I have limited those kinds of calls. If something in my portfolio works I enter it. I also enter more shows in my home state that are open ended.
Do you keep track of your work? Shows that you’ve entered? Tell us what works for you.
A system for organizing is not a choice in my case. I have a spreadsheet with a list of work. Every piece has a document with a short statement, the year, size, etc. When I get into a show I add it to my CV. I used to update my work on my website, but now I post on my IG and Facebook account.
Where can people see your work?
FIND ME :
Website margaretabramshe.com
Instagram IG@Abramshe_arts
Facebook Abramshe Art
Substack An Artists Backstory
Interview posted August 2024
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