Grayslake fabric artist to demonstrate techniques
Submitted by Lake County Art League
Artist Bridget Hanson will present examples of her fabric art and discuss her techniques at the Lake County Art League monthly meeting from 7-9 p.m. Monday, Jan. 21, at the State Bank of the Lakes, 50 Commerce Drive, Grayslake.
Describing herself as a “wool baller,” Hanson owns a one-woman operation called “Biggie” where she creates mostly one-of-a-kind items, such as handspun yarns, hand-felted wool jewelry, and hand-woven and/or hand-screen-printed scarves, bags and pouches.
Since graduating with an art degree from Northern Illinois University, Hanson has continued her crafty adventures in jewelry, sewing, knitting, weaving and screen-printing. She uses these media to explore ideas from her childhood, television, and fashion through literal ideas or simply color, pattern and texture.
One of the techniques she uses is felting, which she describes as “the process of turning interlocking fibers, such as wool, into a dense, matted fabric. Wool fibers are made up of scales, and when they are exposed to heat, the scales open up. When pressure is added, the fibers compress and become ‘felt’ which I use to make my jewelry.”
Based in Grayslake, Hanson says her mission is “to provide the world with fun items to wear and carry.” She says she loves to travel, make cheese, and walk her almost 15-year-old Basenji pooch.
Her fabric artworks are currently offered for sale at Renegade Handmade in Chicago, as well as stores in Michigan, Wyoming and Indiana. To see samples of her work, visit her website at www.TheBiggie.com.
“This is an opportunity to learn some new dimensions about an often overlooked means of artistic expression,” said Donna Sands, LCAL Programs Director. “Ms. Hanson will have some interesting and unique viewpoints to share regarding fabric art and her take on it. Artists and non-artists alike will enjoy this demonstration.”
LCAL meetings are usually held on the third Monday of the month in the lower level of the State Bank of the Lakes in Grayslake. During May and November, member art shows are held in lieu of the meeting at the Jack Benny Center for the Arts in Waukegan. There are no meetings in July, August, or December. As with the majority of League events, the meetings are free and open to the public, and usually offer workshops or demonstrations by professional artists.
The league currently has approximately 150 members. Yearly dues are $20 for full-time students, $30 for individuals and $35 for families, with membership open to artists and non-artists alike. For more information, visit the League’s website at www.lcal.org.
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