Redefining the boundaries between fiber and contemporary painting has been one of my objectives in creating my recent bodies of work.  My work on canvas incorporated with fiber is an attempt to integrate the two art forms and to bring them to a common place.

I have changed my focus over the past few years, beginning with traditional batik, moving into painting on silk, and now, more recently, incorporating this surface design knowledge into painting.  I enjoy working with multiple layers - transparent silks and other fibers, layers of glazes and the transparencies of beeswax.

I have enjoyed bringing together various techniques and mixed media.  While combining the old and the new - bringing found objects and new materials together - I have tried to give a contemporary feel to these pieces.  I have also incorporated the use of grids in this body of work - created through the use of lines, the separations of canvases or the canvas boards on which I have worked.

Wisconsin native, Mary Jo Scandin, has many years of experience in the surface design on fabric.  Receiving an art degree from the University of Wisconsin/Superior, Mary Jo began her career as an art teacher.  She later devoted her time to creating and exhibiting her own fiber work.

For nineteen years, Mary Jo operated Serendipity, a studio/gallery in Sister Bay, Door County, Wisconsin.  In 2002 she sold her gallery and moved to Madison.  She continues to teach classes on surface design at Sievers School of Fiber Art on Washington Island, WI.  She maintains a studio in Madison and currently exhibits her work at Artisan Gallery in Paoli and Blue Dolphin Gallery in Door County.

Her vivid silk paintings and whimsical drawings have led to illustrations of three children's books:  Gloria, the Christmas Angel, Rosanna, the Rainbow Angel, and The stray.  These books were published in 2000 and 2001.

Mary Jo Scandin can be reached at mjscandin@tds.net.

www.209main.com - Textiles - current and past exhibits at The Dining Room

knitterstreat@wekz.net - to join e-mail list for announcements of knitting workshops/new exhibits at The Dining Room at 209 Main

knitterstreat@wekz.net - to order patterns, books, Vivian Hoxbro kits, yarn, etc. 

Lily Chin - March 9, 10,11,12, 2008 
Susanna Hansson - April 13, 14, 15, 2008