By Julie Ann Bell
The forest floors, mushrooms and corals created in wool by Amy Reader are the most current manifestation of a life-long enchantment with fiber. As a six year old, she made tiny clothes for her stuffed animals after a short introduction to the sewing machine by her grandmother and then by watching VHS tapes. She quickly progressed to sewing pillow cases and skirts, then learning to crochet.
Harmony 4. Amy Reader, artist
Her love of drawing and painting led her to pursue an art degree. She would work with fibers as an outlet when she was frustrated by a painting assignment. One night she decided to “use fabric as paint” and ultimately created her senior show using textiles.
Reader has always loved the forest. “It’s always been a safe, inspiring place for me,” she says. As she started thinking about moving back to North Carolina, she thought more about forest floor scenes in terms of color, shape and layers. “I like that I can make three-dimensional layers that come off the base fabric,” she says. “With fiber, angles, lighting and viewing from other directions make it look different.”
Inspiration for her forest floors, fungi, corals and plants comes from multiple sources, so they are an amalgamation rather than an exact replica. “One of my strongest views as an artist,” says Reader, “is that once the work leaves my studio, I cannot control how you respond to it. If you think something I’ve created reminds you of an experience you’ve had in nature, that is a wonderful and valid response. Your interpretation of my work is a beautiful, personal collaboration between us. There are no right or wrong answers here. I share my process to inspire you in your creative practice, not to tell you how to feel or think when you look at my art or anyone else’s.”
Coral Tubes. Amy Reader, artist
Reader advocates for renewed consideration of craft’s standing in the art world. “Some people may devalue work because it is perceived as craft which was often seen as traditional women’s work,” she says. “But craft is so detailed that it should not be considered as less than fine art. There is not a difference in terms of skill and intentionality.”
At Trackside Studios, we agree wholeheartedly. As a member of the Blue Ridge Craft Trails, we are proud to feature fine artists like Reader whose work is created with traditional craft materials and techniques. Many of our artists create with fiber, wood, metals, gemstones, clay, glass and plants to create landscapes, guitars, jewelry, pottery, sculptures, baskets and mosaics. Each of these artists is creating original work and exploring innovative techniques which we are honored to share with the public.
Trackside Studios is located at 375 Depot Street, in the River Arts District. Hours are 10:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. daily, and by appointment. Learn more at TracksideStudios.com.
