NANCY ENGSTAD
WELCOME TO “WEBS AND THREADS” BLOG
“Webs And Threads” describes the link between my fine art practice and my interest and experience with textiles. The materiality and processes involved in working with fabric and paper provide the focus for much of my work, all of which have evolved from my primary interest and life-long experience with drawing.
From 2000-2007 I attempted to bridge the interests and experiences of my “fine art” and my “craft”, in this case, textiles and textile design. The result was a large body of work which came to be known as “The Threads Project”. With this project I addressed what I felt was an ongoing issue in comtemporary art, the perceptions and value of art based on process and material~the division I felt still existed between art and craft.
Works in “The Threads Project” used the element of “thread” as both medium and subject in drawings, works on paper, textile pieces, unique prints, paintings, sculpture, and digital drawings.
Works from “The Threads Project” have been exhibited in solo and group shows in the United States, including two Fiber Directions exhibitions in Wichita, Kansas.
In 2009 I completed a ninety-page book documenting the ideas and work of that project, “What The Surface Reveals: The Threads Project 2001-2007”.
These book links will take you to the Blurb Bookstore where the books made be viewed in their entirety.
What The Surface Reveals: The Threads Project 2001-2007
“Paintings, Drawings, And Works On Paper” document work and ideas from “The Threads Project” which developed into “Web Paintings and Drawings”, which feature the use of a triangular motif, the “Stitch-Mark” on paper and “The Stitch-Mark” in paintings.
The relationship between processes such as staining that are common to both my early textile work and recent paintings and works on paper continue in new work since 2008.
In 2015 I returned to photography as well as painting. The result was a new addition to a series of images of a previous work, “Child Revisited”. This sculpture was created for “The Threads Project” and has now become the subject of photographs which mark the transition of light and time in various place in which I have lived. This book documents the early work and most recent images taken in 2014-2015.
Since 2005 digital photography has also become another method of expression. Opportunities offered by inverting imagery have resulted in a body of work and two books of these images, “The Other Side of Paris” and “Sunlight And Shadow”.
The Other Side of Paris
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Sunlight And Shadow
In my work I have often investigated the relationship of text and image in altered books and hand-made books as well as a book of my poems illustrated with original drawings titled “The Dreamer’s Eyes”.
The Dreamer’s Eyes
WebsAndThreads's Blog 
I wanted to thank you for this very good read!!
I definitely enjoyed every little bit of it. I have got you book
marked to look at new stuff you post…
June 10, 2014 at 8:41 am
I’m glad that you found Webs And Threads interesting. Thanks for looking.
June 10, 2014 at 9:56 am
Wow! What amazing art work. I really enjoyed looking at all of your beautiful creations. The offer on Maui still stands 😉 Aloha
February 8, 2015 at 8:49 pm
Lauren,
You are wonderful to extend an invitation to a complete stranger! I am so glad that you took the time to read my blog. I am nearly finishing a new book of photos of the sculpture “Child Revisited”. It’s an interesting story of how the sculpture was created during “The Threads Project”. Perhaps a blog post is in order!
February 9, 2015 at 10:04 am
LOVE. YOUR. ART!
June 16, 2016 at 4:34 pm
Ruzie,
I’m so glad to hear that you enjoyed the blog! It was wonderful to meet you and discuss life as an artist. Please do stay in touch. I believe it is time to return to Webs And Threads with new posts!
June 16, 2016 at 7:10 pm