19. Velga Easker

Growing up bi-culturally in America encouraged me to see more than one side of an idea. My Latvian culture encircled me with rich tradition and crafts. Being thrifty immigrants taught me the value of things and to be creative in recycling.

My artwork evolved from using more traditional fiber in weaving to incorporating wire and plastic tubing, to forming machine-stitched quilts totally from every-day plastic discards such as grocery store produce tabs and packaging material. I do enjoy the surprise of the unusual.  I am now exploring and repurposing paper discards such as canceled postage stamps, business envelopes, cash register receipts, and junk mail as my raw material, using them to mimic fabric. Origami folding and transparency overlays enrich the existing design and purpose of a piece. 

I have collected interesting coffee sleeves or jackets for some time and am now using them as the major element of the design. I also find clothing instruction labels such nuisances that I am incorporating them into work also. I enjoy the sense of community when friends and even strangers, in the spirit of recycling, contribute these items for my work.