Virginia A. Spiegel

 Lyric Kinard

I wrote this last year about Lyric and I can’t see much has changed except she is doing even more.  Her beading DVD is now out (see special Foto/Fiber 2012 pricing below) and she was named Teacher of the Year by The Professional Quilter.  She’s still a wonder woman:
Lyric Kinard is as artist whose artwork ranges across a wide variety of forms – art quilts, art cloth, mixed-media collages, wearable art, books, and more.  You can see her artwork on her website and in her Etsy shop. And did I mention she has a book, Art + Quilt, one DVD out, and another DVD in progress?  Oh, yes, and she has five children.  I am beyond amazed; does she sleep?  Does she wear a cape when we’re not looking?

1.  How do you find/make time to be in your studio?
The youngest of my five children just started school so it feels like I suddenly have light years of time available to me. That said, I wonder how I still end up running crazy with appointments and errands? My goal for next year is to spend a minimum of one hour per day creating. To put the creative time first, in fact.

2.  Describe your studio in five words.
Colorful refuge. Needs cleaning.

3.  If you could pick only one thing from your studio to represent your art practice, what would it be?

My sketchbook. It where my ideas, visions, inspirations, thoughts, experiments – all get recorded, discovered, and hashed out.

4. What is the best/worst space you have ever had as a studio?
I started as a traditional quilter when my youngest was a baby and put my machine on the kitchen counter and sewed standing up. It wasn’t a bad space at all but now I’m spoiled. The only thing wrong with my current studio is not enough storage and no easy access to water, and lighting that isn’t ideal. Nevertheless, I feel very lucky to have a dedicated studio in my home. I’m really happy there!

 

This is a detail from one of Lyric’s three Fiber BONUSED for Foto/Fiber 2012.
Included in her BONUSES are fiber treasures such as hand dyed, discharged and screen printed clothas well as custom mini thermofax screens: monarch butterfly and “calligraphy.”

5.  What would make a “dream studio” for you?
Closets and shelves to store finished artwork and supplies. Access to water. Oh – and perhaps a comfy window seat big enough for naps.

6.  What would you advise someone setting up a studio for the first time?
It doesn’t matter how big or how small your space is – just make it your own. Find a place where you can leave your work out and in process. You don’t want to spend your limited creative time setting up your stuff.

7.  Any unique features/studio pets you would like to share?

I love my button board – being able to see all my little treasures at a glance makes me feel a little bit like a dragon with a hoard.

8.  Any new exhibits or projects we should know about?

I have a fabulous new DVD out titled “Bead It Like You Mean It: The Basics.” If you love beads you’ll loooove this video! Crisp clear close-ups, lots of great techniques, and a little silliness! You can find the DVD here. If you mention in the “notes” section of your checkout that you heard about it through Foto/Fiber 2012, I’ll send you a $10.00 refund!!!

***100% of donations for Foto/Fiber 2012 are made directly to the American Cancer Society through Fiberart For A Cause.  Our goal:  Add $7000 to the over $215,000 we have already donated.