Artist/Designer Jeri Beitel
aka Talitha Byrd

I have long been fascinated with fabric, and would buy bits of it with my allowance when a child. I made blankets and clothes for my dolls with these, later graduating to clothes for myself.. Then a “Grandma” who lived next door taught me how to crochet. This was followed by knitting, tatting, macramé and weaving. Whatever the fiber medium I tried them all.

At some point my art studies expanded to painting and printing. Always my main focus was on contemporary and primitive design. Art history strengthened my appreciation for Contemporary Art, and along the way I developed an interest in Classical and Medieval Design as well. When working with my current medium of art quilts there has been a strong focus on the abstract.

Later in my life through my interest in genealogy I discovered that I was part Native American and that knowledge made the long-time ethnic interests fall into place. My attraction to primitive art was then validated.

Much of my work today reflects abstract expressionism combined with portraits of people from photographs or imagination. Lately I have been doing a lot of painting on fabric which brings me back to my art studies. Most is very eclectic and reflects color and texture contrast. I would have to say that manipulation of color is my strongest suit.

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