Artwork by Elfa Jónsdóttir

I originally studied textile in Iceland and later obtained a Master's degree from the Rhode Island School of Design. For several years I was a visiting artist in the Art School at the University of Michigan, working extensively in textile, including surface design and weaving. Later, following a move to the East Coast in 2000, I ventured into ceramics, producing diverse 3D forms. This did, in particular, include a large multi-piece installation called "Dwellings." After moving back to the Midwest in 2010, I concentrated mostly on weaving and surface designs. Now in Baltimore and Walnut Creek I have ventured into multi media paintings. I still do work with textile, and when in California I also work in ceramics. Going to Cone 6, electric firing, has been a challenge but I am making progress

I enjoy working in a variety of medium, exploring the unique possibilities each medium offers, and finding new ways to express my ideas. I have had one-artist exhibitions and group exhibitions in several galleries in the Midwest and on the East Coast.

Fibers

All my textiles starts out with a plain white fiber, and then I hand dye and I layer different techniques and processes to create a spectrum of saturated hand dyed and manipulated textiles. And the results give the viewer a chance to consider the fiber work through both a tactile and visual exploring. Many of textile work is often inspired by architectural images or by the aesthetics of writings. Although when working with fiber I often find that the texture and color of the fiber influences and often dominates my creative process, I almost always vary from my original design and let the piece take its own path and not always knowing what comes next. Some of my work are years in the making and often up on my viewing board for months before I finally put it together. And more then likely it then needs one more layering, or one piece becomes two, or three become two etc. and all this is what I love about the processes, being able to add or subtract, over dye or remove color, or even start all over again, put it away for a time and get back to it later and then becoming something totally different. I find this process gives me the freedom to be creative and open in the making of my pieces. Weaving is a bit more rigid when it comes to the process, ones the warp has been died or painted, and threaded on loom, it is there, so the manipulation has some restriction although the threading and treadling of the warp in combination have endless possibilities.

Clay

In ceramics I have worked on several different themes, exploring one form for an extended period of time before switching to a new one. My themes range from abstract sculptures to more conventional bowls, boxes and tableware.

Multimedia/Collage