Some of you have asked to see photos of the works in my recent show; here’s a photo I snapped of each quickly amidst the crowd on Friday night:
I don’t have exact dimensions on each piece, but I can tell you that they are all around 40 inches wide.
I think the most efficient way to tell you guys about the work is to share the artist’s statement I posted at the show:
Tranquility
Textile works by Jennifer Schmitz
The journey toward tranquility, for me, began a while back. The work in this series was born out of the need for a new way to work and a new focus on rest and gratitude.
Nearly five years ago, I decided to stop working with chemical dyes. At the time, it was a temporary decision based on the fact that I was pregnant. I had a large stash of hand-dyed fabric from which to work, and figured that I would dye again soon enough. At some point I determined, in the interest of my health, the safety of my family, and the preservation of our planet, to move on from chemicals completely, and opted instead to explore more natural ways of getting color and pattern on fabric. I have experimented with tea, coffee, molds, and now indigo to achieve results on cotton fabric. The fabrics in this series were all dyed or stained using one of these methods.
Tranquility is not about having things just right but about learning to be content with what you have. In the busyness of our lives, I think we lose sight of the grace we have, the beauty around us, and all that God has given us. Take just a few minutes to slow down and think of someplace that is tranquil for you tonight, and remember to be thankful for all the gifts you have been given.
