At Whole, we love art. In fact, some of us here fancy ourselves artists. At Whole, we also love Athens, and we believe that as a small business, it is our personal responsibility to help support the local artists that make our town so great. Our boutique features pieces and collections from several artists, and today, we would like to spotlight one particular artist: Stephanie Blair. Blair specializes in textiles, and her carefully stitched and embroidered pieces are truly amazing. Currently, her master’s project is on display and for sale in our boutique. The unique pieces feature lyrics, social criticisms, and brilliantly stitched scenery. Below, Blair discusses her medium, her work, and her inspiration:

“Fabric is my process of choice for several reasons. The long hours of technical and meticulous work, the sound of pulling a threaded needle through fabric, the variety of texture and color in fiber materials, and the satisfaction of joining elements with hand stitching all draw me to my medium. I vary my process on a daily basis, and work on many pieces at one time. In the fury of the hectic pace I work in I achieve quiet moments of clarity through the execution of slow calculated stitching. The work I make is directly related to the search for truth and self in a cloud of cultural stereotypes and stigmas. My process varies but all revolves around the craft of traditional fabric work: embroidery, appliqué, fabric piecing, and quilting. By using the techniques of my predecessors I am the newest in a long line of makers.

The women on both sides of my family come from strong textile traditions. When I was growing up I remember watching them crochet, sew, and embroider and always found comfort in their laborious handwork. This is why I decided to pursue study in the textile field. This is the way in which I express and study my cultural heritage. I was born in California and lived in Arizona, Colorado, Ohio and South Georgia. Before I was in the 3rd grade I lived in at least 10 different homes. My family’s nomadic lifestyle makes me search for and question the ideas of home, regional pride, and cultural identity. My first language was Spanish, but after moving to rural South Georgia at the age of eight I lost most of my Spanish vocabulary and the ability to communicate with some of my family. I was aware and self-conscious of being caught between two worlds: the Mexican and the hillbilly. This idea fueled my work and I sought to understand my place in the middle of those worlds. I was trying to understand them by defining, abstracting by association, and blending them into one world – mine.”

To visit Stephanie’s website, click here.

For more information about Fair Trade, click here.

A Fair Trade purse made from recycled cassette tapes.

Deforestation-free & eco-friendly Fair Trade gifts for kids!