This is Carol with one of her petroglyph linoleum blocks,
and clothing decorated with
petroglyph
images.
(See PETROGLYPHS further down the page)
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About the Artist
and her works ...
Carol Wilcher has developed an art form truly her own. Her works are beautiful, practical, highly individual statements created using a combination of linoleum block printing, needlework, and decorative arts. The natural beauty of the Southwest and the high desert provide inspiration for Carol's artwork. Design themes include petroglyphs, desert flora and animals, Native American pottery, Kachinas, and Missions. She incorporates these themes into wallhangings, pillows, placemats, and clothing. Carol received her education from Carnegie Mellon University, where she earned her Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree in 1961. She started her career in window display and free-lance design for American Greeting Cards. Since then Carol has been working for herself, developing her own originals and wearable art. A very popular item of Carol's are her decorated coats: one of them was featured in the December 1992 issue of Sew News Magazine. Her work has also appeared in such respected publications as Best of McCall's Needlework and Crafts, and McCall's Pictures and Wall Hangings (1975). In 1982 and 1990, her works were featured in an exhibit at the Maturango Museum Art Gallery in Ridgecrest, California. Carol and her husband, Gordon, reside in Ridgecrest. They have raised three daughters and a son. |
Art Works
LINOLEUM BLOCK PRINTING
is a relief process in which a design is carved in reverse in a piece of artist's
linoleum. Ink is applied by a brayer (roller) to those parts of the design not cut
away by the artist's knife, and the material to be printed is laid across the inked
block. Pressure or rubbing then transfers the inked design from the carved block
to the material being printed - which is then carefully lifted from the block's
surface and allowed to dry.
FABRICATION
Carol's love of fabrics and sewing have influenced her style of work.
Block print designs are printed on a variety of materials: leather, denim,
cotton, suede fabric, rayon, and silk. The result is that each piece of fabric
becomes a work of art.
CONSTRUCTION
Depending on the fabrication, some pieces are constructed by being pieced together
like a quilt, then machine quilted and sewn into wall hangings with loops of
fabric or yarn that allow a rod, decorative wood, or a piece of cactus
for the hanger.
Leather prints are either laced together onto old barrel hoops, or hung from a piece of driftwood or cactus. Some prints are printed on a suede fabric, then cut out and sewn onto a rug or heavy background fabric. These pieces are usually stuffed to give a three-dimensional effect to the work. Beads, yarns, and dimensional paints embellish many of the pieces.
WEARABLE ART
Clothing pieces
can be special ordered from Carol to feature an individual's size, color, and
design preference.
(See the "Clothing" page.)
PETROGLYPHS
Petroglyphs are rock drawings incised thousands of years ago by Native Americans.
The petroglyphs shown here are located in the Coso Range in Inyo County, California.
Galleries and Shows
Carol is a founding member and promoter of this Guild. She has participated in the Guild's two-a-year shows since 1977.
In 1982 and 1990 her artworks were featured in an exhibit at the museum. They are often featured in Maturango Museum events. Selected pieces are available in the museum's gift shop.
Located in Old Town San Diego, Carol had a special TRUNK show of her jackets and vests in 1977.
She is a featured artist in the Bazaar's Santa Fe Market Days.
(She appeared in 1998, 1999, 2000, and 2001.)
Carol opens the door to her house and studio for personalized service.
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