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Irene Schlesinger

About The Artist

Artist Statement

I am inspired by and celebrate the connections between color, textures & mediums. Spirit skulls and women’s stories are my main subjects. Embroidery is my primary medium.
Portraits and Faces
Ever since I held a crayon, I’ve drawn faces. I never tire of looking, drawing, and stitching all sorts of faces. For humans, faces are among essential visual stimuli. As a species, we constantly monitor each other’s faces, paying close attention to details that can give insight into the emotional state, level of engagement, or object.
Spirit Skulls
I didn’t always relate to skulls, and I thought they were creepy like someone reading this.
I was increasingly grief-struck by a few personal losses as I approached mid-life. Then, I started thinking about Dia de Los Muertos and felt a strong desire to stitch my first skull.
Stitching requires time. There is no way to fill a canvas with stitches without sitting and working at it.
With each stitch, I think about my subject.

Biography

I’m an emerging Marin County Artist.
My Nana taught me how to stitch as soon as I could hold a needle. I always loved to draw and took art classes throughout the SF Bay area at CCAC, SFSU & Stanford University.
I’m inspired by Folk and Outsider Art and influenced by my ethnic mix of Jewish, Mexican, and Native American heritage.
C&T Publications asked me to author a book on my mixed medium embroidery process.
“Artful Embroidery on Canvas” was published in 2020. The book is receiving favorable reviews and is available around the world and online.

Art Medium(s)

Acrylic Paint, Fiber, Mixed Media

Studio Information

COVID Precautions

Contact Information

Artist Full Name
Contact Email Address
Phone

email only

Exhibitions & Press

Group Exhibitions

I’ve been part of many group shows and a few solo shows as well.
So many that I can’t possibly list them!
Since moving to Marin in 2020, I have shown work at the Marin Museum of Contemporary Art and at Art Works Downtown. I was honored to be an artist included in TedXMarin2020’s Innovative Showcase.
Current exhibits
My series of Notable Females are available at

imagiknit sf

Look for my “Muse, Inspire, Refect” canvas included in MOCA Marin’s Annual Member Exhibit
“What is Art For?
February-March 2022
My Ladies of Literature will be on display in Novato at  The Villas. More information on my website.
Cheers !

Publications

Artful Embroidery on Canvas
publication date Jan 7, 2020 publication description C&T PUBLISHING
I am the author of this needlecraft book full of artwork and tutorials.

Contemporary Women Artists XVII: Reimagining Femmage
publication date Apr 2, 2015 publication description http://www.wca-stl.org
publication description My artwork was included and on the book cover

Disconnect
publication date May 1, 2014 publication description NCWCA
publication description 2014 NCWCA Member’s Exhibition
ISBN 978-1-939637-10-9
My artwork is included in this publication.
See publication Disconnect See publication

Visual Harmony: Connecting Women Through Art
publication date Jul 1, 2013 publication description NCWCA
publication description Northern California Women’ Caucus for Art Member exhibition.
My artwork is included in this publication.

Awards

Honors & Awards

Honorable Mention

honor date Jan 2021 honor issuer Marin Museum of Contempoary Art

honor description Here and Now
Artists of MarinMOCA Exhibition
First place

honor date Jun 2015 honor issuer San Mateo County Fair Art Galleria

honor description 1st place mixed media
Beyond the surface

honor date Dec 2014 honor issuer Surface Design Association

honor description SJ MUSEUM OF QUILTS AND TEXTILES
HONORABLE MENTION
PJCC Community Art Show

honor date Jul 2014 honor issuer PJCC

honor description 2nd place award
First place

honor date Jun 2014 honor issuer Art Galleria

honor description 1st place mixed media 2014

Video

Happy June!

From my backyard, it's part of my Crystal Meditation Installation.
A daily light show that's powered by the Sun.

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