2016 Artisans Road Trip Artist Timothy J Arand-McIlrath Receives "Best in Show" Award for Mixed Media Fiber Artwork!

Timothy J Arand-McIlrath with his "Best in Show"

mixed media fiber artwork "Breezy"

(Artwork ©Timothy J Arand-McIlrath) 

 

The Jurors for the Fifth Artists' Showcase: Orange City Arts' Regional Exhibition chose " Breezy" mixed media fiber by Timothy J Arand-McIlrath (Okoboji) as "Best in Show"Award.

The Artist's Showcase is an art exhibit sponsored by Orange City Arts in conjunction with the Northwestern College art and theatre department. The Artists' Showcase: Orange City Arts Regional Exhibition offers an opportunity for artists to exhibit their work April 22-30, 2016 at the Northwestern College DeWitt Theatre Arts Center in Orange City IA, in conjunction with the production of Rabbit Hole. Regional artists (from Iowa or within a 350-mile radius of Orange City, IA) were invited to submit work to the juried exhibition. 

The Artist Reception and announcement of awards was Saturday, April 30 before the final performance of The Rabbit Hole.  Jurors for the exhibit were artists Matthew Drissell of Sioux Center and Linda Porter of Hospers.

2016 A.R.T. Artist Timothy J. Arand-McIlrath's Mixed Media Fiber Art Featured in Sioux Center, IA

 "Unsquared" - pieced fabric, chrocheted yarn -  copyright Timothy J Arand-McIlrath

 

Timothy J Arand-McIlrath's Mixed Media fiber art will be featured in the Garden Cafe at Sioux Center Health, Sioux Center Iowa for the months of April, May, and June.

 

"Entwined I & II" - acrylic paint, crocheted yarn - copyright Timothy J Arand-McIlrath

 

In the two dimensional pieces, the backgrounds are painted with acrylic paint, surface designed fabrics, and recently recycled fabrics from garments, sometimes embellished with found objects. The foregrounds have crocheted webs introduced onto the compositions.  Color, texture, repetition, and pattern have always been strong elements in the work. The compositions are based on my observations of the world around us.

(Gallery installation) - copyright Timothy J Arand-McIlrath

Folk art has long been an area of interest for me, as a source of inspiration. I have researched and collected folk art in all my travels.I have spent extended visits to Mexico and in particular to the Oaxaca area. The color, texture and freedom of expression have  always fascinated me.

I have been "accused" of having too much fun creating my art. Not possible in my world. Having fun is one of the prime motivators in my work. I love having viewers smile. I smile a lot while I am working on my art.