In the two years that I followed the Textile Arts and Art Quilting course at the DIY school in Amsterdam, in all my projects I focused on ‘The Sea’. For research and inspiration I visited the beach many times, watched the waves and the seagulls, took lots of pictures, and collected shells on whatever beach I was. I studied ways to translate the waves into painting, drawing, and finally into fabric art.
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I tried different textile techniques – collages, weaving, hand- and machine embroidery, felting, applique. I started to draw (used to be afraid of a pencil before!), and translate my thoughts into images. And some of these images resulted in textile art.
 collage; paper and textile |
 collage; paper and fabric |
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 “Storm at Sea” Needle felt and hand embroidery |
 “Plastic Soup” Detail. Weaving with wool, cotton, rope, plastic bags and packing material. |
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 study; hand embroidery with lace and ‘unusual’ embroidery material |
 Study; waves; machine embroidery |
It was often a struggle, but I loved the challenge, and it has brought me so much, not in the least because the recurring moments of reflection at the end of each module. Working alone, but once per month sharing experiences with peers was inspiring. It showed how different we all were, not only by background, but also by styles, phantasy,
It resulted in a couple of fabric art works, and some of them were allowed in the final exhibition of the students in June 2017, in the Amsterdam House of Arts & Crafts. It was a journey well worth, and I cherish the memories and the friendships that is has brought me!
 ‘A view under water’; detail wet felting and needle felting |
 “The Sea” nylon, viscose, lace, weaving on chicken wire. Background oil painting on hardboard. |