Indigo Composition No. 11 (2020) 

81 x 43 inches

American textile artist Judy Kirpich’s work is guided by her emotions. She uses improvisational construction methods and describes her work as “fabric structures” “or cloth compositions”. Her work has been exhibited widely in North America and internationally.

Firstly where did you grow up and where do you live now? 

I grew up in a suburb of Philadephia, Pennsylvania. Most of my life I have lived near Washington DC, but five years ago I built a studio in Lewes, Delaware where I have lived for the last year. 

What is your background in textiles?

I have no formal training in textiles. I studied sociology at the University of Wisconsin, and received a masters of landscape architecture from Harvard University. My only “formal” training in textiles is studying with Nancy Crow which proved to be life changing. 

What is it about textiles as an art form that appeals to you? 

I have always loved sewing and complicated piecing. I love the feel of cloth, the smell of cloth, and the many colours and surfaces of fabric. I do not like messy things – like paint for instance- and cloth is controlable.

How do you describe your work and what techniques do you use?

I would describe my work as “fabric structures” “or cloth compositions”. I do not use the word “quilt”, for although I employ many stitching techniques used in quilting, I believe the word “quilt” conjures up the wrong image. 

I sew all of my compositions and heavily stitch the material both by machine and by hand;  I do not appliqué or use any fusible materials, so each piece involves careful engineering to figure out how to sew it together.

I would not describe myself as a dyer, for although I do dye some of my cloth, it is not my forte. I do a fair amount of surface design – painting, distressing, and adding texture to fabric. 

How do you create a piece?

I do not sketch – although I wish that I did… I work improvisationally, pinning up compositions on six very large design walls. My compositions rarely end up where they started – they morph and change often up until the very last seam. I use my iPhone all of the time to take pictures as I am constantly moving pieces around and having a photographic record allows me to go back to something I liked before I changed it. 

I make many many samples which I pin up all over my studio walls. I test everything- thread color, stitching techniques, amount and types of batting, acrylic paint colors, brush strokes, and even scratching techniques. I would waste a lot of time and materials if I did not take the time to make samples. They are not large – often only five or six inches- and I try to document the techniques and materials so I have them for the future. 

Where do you work?

Currently I work in a lovely studio that I designed and built about four years ago. It is heaven and my happy place. For years I worked in my son’s old bedroom which was 8 feet x 10 feet. I made it work, but having the luxury of space allows me six large design walls where I pin up multiple compositions. I compare my current space to my former work area as the difference between a performer dancing on stage versus working in a closet. 

I know this is a hard question but how long does a bigger piece take?

All my pieces are fairly large and it takes me three to four months per piece depending on how much hand stitching is involved. I have gotten comfortable with the idea that I may only make three to four major pieces a year. 

What are you most proud of in your art career so far?
I like that fact that my work is respected and that I have developed my own voice. I also am proud of my mentoring as it is a way for me to give back to the profession. I am currently mentoring four artists and I find that to be very satisfying. 

Do you have any advice for aspiring textile artists?

Ironically I would say don’t study with too many teachers – try to work hard to develop your own style and voice. I see way too many people flitting from one instructor to another in the pursuit of style instead of doing the hard work in the studio. For every one good piece I produce there are many that end up in the waste bin. 

judykirpich.com
unmultitasking.blogspot.com
judy@grafik.com
https://www.instagram.com/judykirpich/