Explore Fiber is a collaborative website showcasing and exploring fiber as a fine art material.
Leisa Rich draws from both fine and fiber art to form her 2D, sculptural and installation art works. Recent works incorporate 3D printing. Leisa explores new materials in unusual ways and builds her repertoire of innovative approaches by using old things in new ways. She most often employs the technique of free-motion machine embroidery — a method of drawing and building texture using a sewing machine and thread. In addition, other fiber techniques such as knitting, hand embroidery, sewing, crochet, knotting, netting, weaving, dyeing, basketry, digital image transfer, burning and more make their way into pieces, and recycled materials and found objects are often incorporated.
Extreme medical challenges, a childhood spent in rural Canada, and a love for the tactile inspires her passion for creating environments that create a manufactured nature in which to escape the demands of the frenetic life we lead today, and art works with a humanoid biology that speak to issues of personal or universal struggle and the challenges of being ephemeral beings. Her work often invites actual human interaction through the use of tactile materials and processes that are viewer interactive.
Leisa holds Master of Fine Arts, Bachelor of Fine Arts and Bachelor of Education in Art degrees, has been featured on PBS, in books, magazines and blogs, exhibits internationally, and has won prestigious awards. Leisa teaches in colleges, arts centers, educational institutions, at her studio, and also travels to teach. Previous experience includes international fashion designer, set design, a wearable art business and art school director. Leisa installed a permanent interactive art piece in 2011 in the Dallas Museum of Art, and also has works in the permanent collections of The Kamm Teapot Foundation; The University of North Texas; The University of Texas- Pan-American and in private collections.
Saatchionline: http://www.
Crafthaus: http://crafthaus.
Etsy: http://www.richmade.etsy.com
Blog: http://leisa-rich.
Twitter: richmadeart
Facebook fan page: http://on.fb.me/gXWgpV
LinkedIn: http://linkd.in/ehuQGr
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