Artist Sara Mika from
Bloomsburg transforms fabric, batting and thread into whimsical works of art. Her
quirky sense of humor is apparent in all of her colorful quilted creations. Meet
Sara Mika of Mock Pie Studio and check out some of the quilt designs she will
be showing at Arts on the Square.
Tell us about your interesting name, Mock Pie Studio, and
the story behind it.
"Mock Pie"
comes from an interpretation of the quilt as an artistic medium. I am comparing
quilts to pie. Like pie, quilts are comprised of two outer layers filled with
so many sweet possibilities. In reality they're only fabric, batting and
thread, but I put all of my creative energy into them as well. My quilts are
the "Mock Pie" in Mock Pie Studio! Love me. Love my pie.
How did you discover quilting and when did you realize it was your
creative medium of choice?
An exhibit at
Lycoming College, my alma mater, started the fascination when in 1999 our
Snowden Gallery hosted "The Lucky Tomato Pincushion Project".
Incredible works by such celebrated quilt artists as Jane Burch Cochran and
Susan Shie were included in the exhibit. When I saw the work for the first
time, my jaw dropped. Something just clicked for me. These artists were
bringing principles and elements of design into the mix. Previously, I had only
considered sewing and quilting to be the things grandmothers occupied their
time with, although none of mine ever had.
Were you always an artist? What is your artistic
background.
I've always been
creative and studied art all through grade school. When it came time to
go to college, I couldn't think of anything else I'd be content studying, so I
majored in art at Lycoming College in Williamsport, PA, and also received
certification in art education for grades K-12. My grandfather,
Armondo Dellasanta (now deceased), was a well-known artist in the city of
Binghamton, where I grew up. He and his work were an immense inspiration
to me. They still are. I spent a lot of time around my
grandparents when I was young, watching my grandfather work in a tiny basement
studio. I always wanted to do what he did. When I decided art
quilts were my avenue of choice, I don't think my grandfather understood it as
an art form because he was extremely traditional. Paintings on stretched
canvas or prints of an etched plate were art. Still, he never
discouraged me from expressing myself in whatever medium I chose.
Do you have a favorite creation or collection?
The vagina that touts
"I make people" would have to be my favorite creation. Just
after my twins were born, nearly four years ago, I told my obstetrician,
"I make such beautiful people." He laughed, but I was already
inspired to make this piece that is now my favorite and remains a hallmark
for my quirky sense of humor. Everyone who sees it in my booth (as a note
card or a print...the original piece has sold!) either giggles or
whispers. I love it!
Tell us about your creative process.
I always
begin with an idea, and then a sketch. I transform the sketch to
fabric, drawing very lightly with a pencil. I free-motion stitch the
design with needle and thread and then hand paint the image. I bind my
pieces by hand and typically mount them to painted canvas.
For me,
art quilting has provided a vehicle for expressing my inner thoughts visually,
yet still silently. Much of it is small and therefore intricate. I find
striving for perfection in technique much more attainable in a small format.
Creating my work is a very time consuming process, but I adore the alone time.
It gives my mind time to slow and time to process my thoughts. As my hands
repetitively stitch, I work out my worries and find solace in peacefulness.
What are you planning to bring to Arts on the Square?
Among others, art
quilts featuring six of the seven dwarves: Sneezy, Happy, Grumpy,
Dopey, Sleepy, and Bashful. Doc has very recently found a new
home! I'll be bringing some hand embroidered
mushrooms, pincushions that look like pie, and babushka ornaments of which
I make a new design each year.
Where do you primarily sell your work and you do many festivals and events?
My partner, Larry Ney
II, and I had a studio in the Moose Exchange building in downtown Bloomsburg
that was lost to fire this past January. I had been selling some work
directly from that space, but now, I sell most of my work through ArtspaceGallery in Bloomsburg, PA. Since the fire, we've rebuilt a home studio
and very recently opened it up to students and clients. Now
that I have a reestablished studio space, I hope to get more of my work back
on Etsy. The twins are still small and so I don't do many festivals,
especially those that involve traveling. I show in exhibits and
events held by the Susquehanna River Arts group (through the Columbia
Montour Visitors Bureau) and also the North Mountain Art League based in
Bloomsburg.
Is there anything else you would like our readers to know?
I've had work
published in "1,000 Trading Cards" written by Patricia Bolton, four
issues of Quilting Arts Magazine, an issue of Quilting Arts Gifts Magazine, and
Cloth, Paper, Scissors Studios Magazine. I am working on writing and
illustrating a children's book.
Follow Mock Pie Studio:
Location: Bloomsburg, PA
Website: mockpiestudio.com
Etsy: mockpiestudio.etsy.com
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