VIVA’s Featured Member Artist for September is M’Lou Wilkie
Meet the Artist
I grew up on the East coast, but have made my home in the Driftless area for over 30 years. I’m a retired art teacher and now I’m enjoying making my art. VIVA is the only gallery where my work is displayed.
I primarily design and create stained glass windows. I take my inspiration from nature. I love being outside and am especially attracted to water. I am aware of our delicate balance with the environment and try to express the importance of the tiny beings in my stained glass work. In my windows, I use a mix of transparent and opaque glass. Color, texture and composition are key to my designs.
I also make beaded jewelry. I use certain beading techniques such as brick stitch and peyote techniques to create select pieces. I use stone and glass beads and pay attention to color combinations and texture as well in my jewelry.
Fun Questions:
· What is influencing your work at the moment? Nature influences my work
· How did you come to focus on your current subject? Kayaking on Goose Island in the Mississippi River
· Can you articulate what draws you to a particular composition? composition: balance, focus, color
· Who or what has strongly influenced your work? I love Rumi illustrations.
· If you could have one work of art in your home from a museum or private collection, what would it be? Matisse painting.
· Why did you decide to work in your chosen medium? Stained glass - I learned the copper foil technique in 1980 and have been making windows ever since. I love the glass colors and textures. I love choosing the colors and get so excited to see the window once I’ve soldered on one side.
· What’s the most indispensable item in your studio? My glass cutter and grinder.
· How do you know when a piece of work is finished? When it’s finished!
· From where do you draw your inspiration? Nature.
· What does your studio look like? My studio is small now with a couple of big windows. I need to organize so I have room to put stuff. It’s not like my old huge studio with 3 walls of windows looking out on the woods. But I am persevering and getting motivated to keep it going.
