Marianne has a unique way to paint, using fabric

If you would like to see something fantabulous, as Audrey, the Grove Ambassador would say, check out the Marianne R. Williamson exhibit called "Movin' Threads" at the Coconut Grove Arts Festival Gallery. The premier opening was Saturday during Gallery Walk, and the exhibit will be up for two months, until the end of September.


This is Marianne in front of one of her pieces. What is incredible about the art is the mixed media and imagery of the pieces. Marianne is a "fiber artist." She mixes sewing and paint and creates contemporary quilt art. Separate colorful fabric pieces, many over-dyed, are sewn together making a quilt along with an abstract image. The bright colors and textures are quite striking and unique. Marianne has won countless awards for her work

"Light, and movement are the main subjects that I have been portraying all my life. I was raised in Switzerland where the sun is hidden by clouds for long periods of time, so I left for East Africa to teach there when I was 22. I have been following the sun all my adult life," says Marianne.


Marianne's grandmother did needlepoint and her father collected art, in came Marianne who combined the two. Marianne created a batik style of working on the fabrics. She told me that she starts a piece with it flat on the floor, she designs the image and then hangs it on a wall to create the finishing look, mixing and mingling pieces. She uses a unique style sewing machine to stitch the pieces together. The threat is as much a part of the art as the fabric and paint.

Marianne feels that her work is actually paintings executed in fabric and stitching.

To see the pieces in person, stop by the Coconut Grove Arts Gallery at the Mayfair Atrium, at 3390 Mary Street, suite 128. They are open Monday through Friday from 10 am to 5 pm. For more info: 305-447-0401.
This piece called "California Poppies," was one of my favorites. It is at the gallery here in the Grove.