Rita St. Amant

Born and raised in southern Saskatchewan, Rita, now retired, can devote her time to art making. Her work is inspired by life and the organic forms found in the natural world. She uses needle and thread as a paintbrush to express and explore different avenues. Her canvas can be anything from cottons to silk. Summers are spent dyeing the fabric in preparation for winter projects. It starts with the wisp of an idea, often using hand and machine stitching. An alternate reality is created by the use of wild colours and patterns.

Techniques used are recycling and dyeing her own cloth, as well as drawing, painting, applique and felting. Material choices and processes vary with each new body of work. The use of pattern helps to create a connection with the viewer. Creating fibre art is a form of healing. Stitching creates a transfer of energy onto the cloth. Although there is a renewed interest in textile, it’s viewed as incomplete by itself. It is still viewed as a craft rather than art.