Robin Cowley: Mixed Media Textiles: Artist Statement

There’s a tactile sensation centered around the "hand" of cloth that gives me great joy. The feel is as important as the color and pattern. These all contribute to the artistic expression in each individual textile construction I make. As I work with the fabric and a new piece comes to life, I’m aware of design needs that will be satisfied by the addition of thread lines. I use these lines as brush strokes or sketch lines that add to the complexity of the overall piece. I produce most of my own hand dyed fabric, and that process itself inspires new ideas. I find that I work intuitively and draw inspiration from the world around me and beyond. Source materials include architecture -- particularly avant garde Japanese architecture, views of earth and the skies from afar, and the many colors and textures in nature. My work combines the best of both worlds, using color and space in an abstract manner to engage viewers with humor and lightness. All my works have a strong graphic presence from a distance, as well as offering the viewer a reward upon closer inspection when the detail and techniques involved can be better appreciated. My textiles are generally pieced, appliqued, fused, with hand-painted and hand-dyed elements and surface textured with stitching.