Sara Mika – Mock Pie Studio
From Sara
My artistic process most often begins as a reaction to something I’ve seen, heard, or read. Such things trigger my mind to make correlations that beg to be expressed visually. Needle and thread are then put to the task of bringing these ideas to life. You will repeatedly find text in my artwork relating to my sources of inspiration. I make art quilts that are usually small scale and mounted to canvas for hanging. To begin, I lightly pencil sketch on a blank piece of white cotton fabric. I use brightly colored textile paint to construct my imagery, then heat set it with an iron. I add quilt batting and a backing material, then machine stitch the outline of my design in black thread. Further stitching is added by machine and by hand to enhance and embellish each piece. I work slowly and my lines are clean, precise, and controlled as sewing, especially by hand, is not a practice easily rushed. It’s a very intimate and tactile undertaking. I’m drawn to its repetitive motion as it gives my mind opportunity to wander and I’ve fallen in love with the way it gives heart and soul to my imaginings.
The work in this exhibit is a collection of mostly older work that represents, in a roundabout sort of way, how I’ve arrived at the work I’m creating today. I’m greatly influenced by the illustration art found in children’s picture books and the classic storylines of different fairy tales often appear in my creations. There are many examples harkening back to childhood experiences in this exhibit. Several art quilts representing six of the seven dwarves can be seen here as well as a piece depicting Humpty Dumpty… minus all the king’s horses and all the king’s men. An illustrative quality has followed through into the work I am currently creating and I plan to continue with this style of expression into the future.
-Sara Mika
The 82 pieces in the show range in price from $10 to $500 — something for everyone and every budget. Please see the glass case next to the Circulation Desk for many small items.
You can see Sara’s pieces at the Library during all of their open hours between now and the end of September.
Many thanks to Oren Helbok of The Exchange for organizing the revolving exhibit, Art in the Library.
Sara Mika can be reached at:
Mock Pie Studio
483 Mill Street
Catawissa, PA 17820
Phone: 570-855-8828
Email: mockpiestudio@hotmail.com
Additional information on Sara Mika can be found at:
Instagram: www.instagram.com/mockpiestudio