Mary Pow

My art practice is divided between two separate mediums: textiles and soft pastels. What can I say? I relish contradictions. Part of me likes the clean lines of sewing and another part of me likes to get messy with pastels. Through my art I hope to inspire others to see possibilities. Life is trying things to see if they work. I believe that if we regard everything as an experiment, we can enjoy a life filled with wonder and creativity.

In my textile art practice, my tools include a sewing machine, a rotary cutter and straight edge, an iron, and a seam ripper. I cut my chosen fabrics and assemble them with a focus on texture and contrast. Then I cut again and again, and reassemble those pieces. The way I work mixes the techniques of drafting, quilting, collage, and weaving.

In my drawing practice, I use soft pastels on a special sanded paper. The pastel sticks I work with range from very hard to very soft, allowing me to fuse the skills of drawing and painting into one activity. I layer color upon color and use bold mark-making to explore the depths of my emotions and my relationship with the world.