Liz DeBellis‘ work is woven, whether her stitches are the tactile fibers of her quilts and fabric pieces, or bound together by the liquid stitches of her inks. By print or by quilt, DeBellis entwines us in her story.

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Fiber artist and print maker, Liz DeBellis, is young and talented. Because for an artist who deals in such literal themes – leaves, a faucet, tree limbs – her work is sensationally allegorical. It captures the magic of the symbols of our existence, pieces them together and stitches them up with renewed meaning. She was selected for the annual Quilt National exhibit because of her distinct demonstrations of innovation in quilting. Be sure to check out her upcoming shows and her full resume of accomplishments.

Once again we’ve been introduced to a talented artist who is learning their craft in Stark County while also teaching art to a new generation of artists. DeBellis is aiding young students in New Philadelphia with their formative art education.

Liz just started her “Fiber Dreams” blog, so check it out to get the most up to date scoop on what she’s developing, and be sure to go to her shop on Etsy – great gift items, especially her purses!

Check out more of Liz’s work on her website, or click over to her permanent Hearted-Artist gallery.

Please let us know what YOU think about Liz’s work by leaving a comment below, and by rating her portfolio. Come back in two weeks – to check out our next hearted artist!

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P.S. You’ll never be cool like Liz if you don’t submit your artist portfolio! And if you’ve already submitted, we’ll be picking another hearted artist in two weeks – it might just be you!

Fiber artist Michele Waalkes is a master media manipulator. She thinks ahead of the confines of rigid and permanent surfaces and into flowing, stretchable and fluid fabric, and she bends the medium to her will seamlessly.

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Michele discards what she calls the “humble beginnings” of  the fabric itself. She lets the fiber be at once canvas and brush. The result is that her dimensionally salient work on fabric achieves for the images what the canvas and the paper cannot.

Best of all, the juxtaposition of her work never seems forced. Michele never sacrifices one element or image for another, even when the imagery seems unrelated at first look. On the contrary, all of the elements cling and intertwine steadfastly with one another. As a result, the final union brings a harmony that could never be accomplished should the images have been left to their own devices. In Indecisive, the weathervane and the stairs each tell singular tales of expectation, of direction and of trepidation. United in “indecision” the story broadens, deepens. It’s nice to see someone proving Aristotle right with so much conviction.

The lack of sacrifice in Michele’s artistic endeavors contrasts nicely with her willingness to sacrifice time to ensure that her fellow artists each have their day in the sun. As curator of 2nd April galerie, Michele is part of an ever-expanding contingent of Canton artists and Stark County artists who collaborate to bring creativity to our community.

Check out more of Michele’s work on her website, or click over to her permanent Hearted-Artist gallery.

Please let us know what YOU think about Michele’s work by leaving a comment below, and by rating her portfolio. Come back next week – same time, same place – to check out our next hearted artist!

[ratings]

P.S. You’ll never be cool like Michele if you don’t submit your artist portfolio! And if you’ve already submitted, we’ll be picking another hearted artist next week – it might just be you!