Fabric as a Medium

Today I thought I would give you a small art lesson and what would this Blog post be if we didn't consult Webster. So let me take a brief moment and define "Medium," which is a "material or technical means of artistic expression." Knowing what you know now, most would consider paint, pastels, and clay a medium in which to create artwork.

However, there are two dynamic artists who use fabric as a medium, and the artwork is stunning. From my short amount of research I conducted, since the 1960's Christo and Jeanne-Claude have been creating large artistic fabric installations worldwide. Some of my personal favorites are the "Valley Curtain," actually installed here in Rifle, Colorado and "The Pont Neuf Wrapped," installed on a well-known bridge in Paris, France. Essentially they use fabric to transform both natural and physical elements: buildings, monuments, trees, walkways, structures, islands, coastlines, and rivers. In fact through my research I also discovered they will be installing yet another piece of artwork along the Arkansas River between Salida and Canon City, Colorado. Something I am eager to see once completed!

Valley Curtain :: Rifle, Colorado

The Pont Neuf Wrapped :: Paris, France

I present this short art lesson because I have been reflecting on the beauty of each handcrafted Heavenly Handbag that is "united or fastened by stitches," and it occurred to me that FABRIC IS OUR MEDIUM. I have already boasted on the talented seamstresses that sew the handbags, but we must obtain the fabric, our required medium, in order to produce each handbag.  An artist or seamstress must have the required materials to create a work of art.  Each handbag is unique and thoughtfully created, a true one-of-a-kind gift donated to underserved women.  It is apparent that with the proper medium a true artwork is crafted by matching wonderful fabric patterns together, which create an elegant handbag. 

When Heavenly Handbags started Giving in August 2010 we had to purchase the required fabric to sew the first ten handbags, but with the desire to continue giving we needed to identify alternative ways to gather and acquire the necessary fabric. I contacted a few local upholstery shops, shared our desire to give to underserved women in this community and a partnership was formed. We are able to gather and use the scraps / remnants of fabric not needed by the upholsterer. With this fabric we have artfully crafted and created over 150 Heavenly Handbags.

It is through these dynamic and caring partnerships within the community that Heavenly Handbags can accomplish our required production needs to donate ten handbags every other month.  We are SO thankful for the continued partnerships with supportive and kind businesses within the community.