Paula Kovarik: At Play in the Garden of Stitch

Stitching is Paula's second language. She has been working almost every day for the past 17 years to hone her craft, express her thoughts and play in the garden of stitch. She's interested in how we communicate with each other—leaders to followers, poets to people, the loud and the silent. From electronic signals to sidelong glances, they all intrigue Paula. She looks for the uncanny in life. It’s as if there is a secret code she wants to decipher. A book, a headline, her garden, a muttered oath all bring inspiration to the cloth. 

This presentation focuses on how, every day, stitching takes Paula on a journey. Her aim is to react and reconsider as a piece evolves. She works in both 2D and 3D forms, using and reusing stitched fabrics to explore new techniques and express ideas as they become apparent. Inspirations, methods and stories are all part of the process she will share in this lecture.

Paula Kovarik creates art with stitch and fabric. Her intuitive line work travels the surface of her work as if a meditation has become solid. Inward thoughts become outwardly apparent through slow and studied attention to detail.  

Paula’s award-winning fiber art has been recognized by Quilt National, Quilts=Art=Quilts, World of Threads, and FiberArt Now Excellence in Fibers exhibitions. She has been profiled in American Craft and FiberArt Now magazines. Her work is featured in Art Quilts Unfolding – 50 Years of Innovation and Art Quilts International Abstract & Geometric.

Paula shares her ideas and techniques in workshops and in her book, At Play in the Garden of Stitch. Her work has been collected by the International Quilt Museum in Lincoln, NE and the International Airport in Memphis, TN as well as several private collections. Paula lives and works in Memphis, TN.

https://www.paulakovarik.com/

Online Journal: https://www.paulakovarik.com/journal