Susan Marles

PERSONAL

• Working career: Research Scientist (Ph.D. in the Natural Sciences).

• Artistic work: Design using textiles, found objects in mixed media work.

• Classes/Workshops through USCAD: Iris Hauser, Miranda Jones, Carol Wylie.

• Inspiration: Imaginative textile designs for household soft goods (e.g. Mythical Horses) as well as representative scenes from the natural world. In this later work, the underlying principles which govern ecotonal spaces is brought forward by acute observation and detailed notes. Natural fibres and found-objects led to artistically documenting these natural habitats, with an eye to what we lose without good stewardship.

• Unique contribution: my work plays to the natural world, taking the viewer beyond surface concepts, sometimes into a mythological representation. Work-in-progress as well as older creations, epitomize this approach ~ ‘Byzantium’ in the travel series, fishes in marine habitats, prairie landscapes, and soil profile designs. The recent underground designs show habitats and strata we cannot easily see, such as fossils, and underground soil/rock layers that support above-ground activities. Associated greeting cards present environmental awareness through my artwork.

MY PRODUCTION PROCESS

I gravitated to textiles from a natural fibres expertise, first learning hand-spinning and weaving with wool fleece. I have since learned techniques and skills to develop my design repertoire: embellishments with found objects (e.g. tiny seashells) which add a 3-D texture to wall hangings. Machine sewing and quilting replaced earlier hand-woven and hand-stitched designs with free-motion stitchery techniques, including unspun fleece, novelty yarns and metallic threads. Greeting cards bring fanciful design motifs from my textile artwork to a wider audience.

Retail Representation: 

Soul Paper, Saskatoon, SK