The Hairy Red One and Eye Shrine II.

These are two of the wonderful textile pieces offered by Jane Broaddus.

Working in beading has taken me back to my own embroidery/needlepoint/quilting roots, and I had my own foray into making Spirit Dolls about 2 years ago (my how time flies!).  As much as the wonderful work, what caught me here were seeming references to the dark side, or mythology, or things that go bump in the night;  Jane's work pulled me in intuitively at a feeling level:  all body no intellect…that place we lived from before the modern age kicked in.  Her work looks like something I would make if I had the skill level and could break away from glass and clay and revisit cloth again.

Jane is from Georgia.  And I thought I came a long way to do ArtOMatic!  Her dedication to her art and her inspiration by ArtOMatic underlines how important ArtOMatic is becoming to artists not only in the D.C. metro area, but also elsewhere.  After all, Jane's trip is beat by the glass artists from England. [and still The Washington Post gives us not even lip service.  No wonder I finally cancelled my subscription!].

How many ArtOMatics have you done, and if more than 1, what keeps you coming back?

          This my first ArtOMatic. While visiting a friend in DC last year (I'm from GA), we decided to check out ArtOMatic. Within five minutes of entering the building, we made a vow that we would participate in ArtOMatic 2009. We kept that vow and are currently exhibiting side by side. Opening night was such a thrill for both of us.

Where can one find you this year?

          I am on the fifth floor on a plywood wall near the corner that faces the Capitol.

How did you choose what to show at ArtOMatic?

          I am a fiber artist who mostly makes 2-D art quilts. I saw ArtOMatic as an opportunity to stretch myself. When I decided in Spring 2008 to participate in the 2009 show, I experimented with making 3-D forms–dioramas, sculptural pieces, and dolls specifically for this show.

 What do you do when/if you hit a slump?

          Seeing other artists' work, going to classes, reading books, and keeping a dream journal all help me stay in the creative zone.

Who are your favorite artists and what inspiration do you draw from them?

          I like paintings of Charles Burchfield and Remedios Varo. I love the old Japanese haiku masters–Basho, Buson, Issa, and Lady Chiyo-ni. There are many art quilters that I admire–Lisa Chipetine, Katie Pasquini Masopust, Ruth McDowell, Maggie Grey–to name a few. Jan Beaney and Jean Littlejohn are amazing, extreme embroiderers. I can't describe a specific inspiration that I draw from any of the above except that their works stimulate the tiny knob of creative neurons in my brain.

Have you had a chance to look around ArtOMatic yet this year?  Do you have any instant favorites?  any returning favorites?

          After doing my 15 hours of volunteer shift work during the three nights leading up to opening night, I have had a chance to take a good look at, if not absorb, the entire show. Some instant favorites–Jane Pettit, Laura Peery, Erika Rubel, Denise Juliano, Kelly McGovern, Annie Wilker, Amber Robles-Gordon, Jessica B. Hensley, Leila Holtsman, Erika Stone, Greg Knott, Bijan Rashedi, Eileen Williams [whom I have asked for an interview – love her work!], Carole Lyles Shaw, Karma Krafts by Kimberley, Alexandra Zealand [whose interview will be here on June 16, so be sure to come back], Linda Elliff, Alyson M. Olander, Paula Hoffman,  and the list goes on and on! And..there was one painter that I especially loved, but I lost her card! Now that I'm back at my home in GA, I won't get a chance to see the show again until it's time to dismantle. Hopefully I'll return before she takes her paintings away.

Where else can we see your work?

          This September, I will be in a group show at the

for the Arts  in Dawsonville, Georgia, about 40 miles north of Atlanta.  I also post pictures to my blog. Most of what's on my wall at ArtOMatic this year is available for view & sale in my Etsy store.

Here are more of Jane's works, in order:  The Hungry Ghost, Yetimado, Blue Hair and BDs (my favorite of the group)

thought for the day:     One of the most beautiful gifts in the world is the gift of encouragement.  When someone encourages you, that person helps you over a threshold you might otherwise never have crossed on your own.