Fairfield, Iowa, a town renowned for its vibrant art scene, is home to many talented women artists whose works and journeys inspire and captivate. These artists bring unique perspectives and skills to the local and wider art community, enriching Fairfield's cultural landscape. Let's shine a light on some of these remarkable women and delve into their creative processes, achievements, and contributions.
Joanie McGinnis: A Journey Through Color and Form
Joanie's vibrant, abstract paintings bring a burst of energy and color to the local art scene. Her "Jazz Impressions" series draws inspiration from the improvisational brilliance of jazz legends like Miles Davis and Stan Getz, translating their music into sweeping brushstrokes and dynamic shapes.
Growing up in Indiana, Joanie's artistic journey was nurtured by her mother and honed through years of study with various teachers. Initially experimenting with watercolors, she eventually embraced the freedom of abstract art. Influenced by Bill Teeple, she found her ideal medium in acrylics, allowing her to create layers of transparent colors reminiscent of her early watercolors.
Joanie's art is known for its bright, uplifting palette and instinctive movement, setting her apart from artists like Joan Mitchell and Jackson Pollock. Each canvas bursts with life, inviting viewers to experience the joy and spontaneity she pours into her work.
Her pieces can be found in collections and galleries across Iowa, Indiana, and California, including Fairfield's prestigious ICON Gallery. Joanie’s art is a celebration of color and emotion, designed to leave viewers feeling joy and happiness. For art lovers, her work is a must-see in Fairfield.
Wendy Read: Weaving Stories Through Textiles
Wendy Read's journey into fiber art began over 35 years ago, inspired by a rich family heritage of both professional and amateur artists. Learning under quilt teacher Kathryn Watts, Wendy discovered the artistic potential of textiles. Influenced by early art quilters like Nancy Crow and Michael James, and later by family friend Anna Williams, she embraced a freedom from traditional rules, allowing her creativity to flourish.
Today, Wendy's textile art incorporates a blend of sewing techniques learned in her youth, expanded with exotic fibers, materials, paints, and dyes. These diverse elements become her paint and canvas, with the tactile qualities of fibers playing a crucial role in her creative process. For Wendy, the sense of touch is as vital as sight in bringing her pieces to life.
Continuously exploring new techniques, Wendy’s work is a dynamic blend of tradition and innovation, inviting viewers to experience the texture and depth of her vibrant creations. For art enthusiasts, her fiber art offers a unique, sensory-rich experience that’s not to be missed.
Wendy Stegall: Merging Tradition and Innovation
Wendy Stegall's nonrepresentational paintings invite viewers into a dance of color and form. Inspired by a love of soft edges and the art of blending, Wendy’s work is a captivating interplay between sharp-edged forms and hidden shapes. Her pieces often feature geometric patterns and fine lines, with spontaneous, intuitive elements floating over layered colors, creating a dynamic performance on canvas.
With 25 years of classical Indian dance influencing her art, Wendy brings the ornate symmetry and fluidity of Kathak to her visual creations. This fluid language of geometry and flow is evident in her use of oil and acrylic paints, where she layers and scrapes back, or creates textures for paint to flow across.
Originally from Sacramento and Oakland, California, and Reno, Nevada, Wendy has lived in Washington, DC, Austin, Bermuda, and finally Fairfield, Iowa. Moving to Fairfield in 1980 to join the TM community, her 40 years of meditation practice have deepened her desire to express inner silence and flow through her art.
Wendy’s journey began with watercolor field paintings in her teens, characterized by dense patterns and opaque shapes. Despite her high school art teacher’s advice to use sweeping motions, Wendy’s intricate style persisted. In 2009, she returned to collage, incorporating dance and sacred images into layers of fabric, paint, and paper, continuing her exploration of abstract art.
For those who appreciate the blend of color, form, and movement, Wendy Stegall's art offers a unique, meditative experience that captures the essence of inner silence and the fluidity of life.
Engaging with Fairfield's Women Artists
Fairfield offers numerous opportunities for art enthusiasts to engage with the work of its women artists. Monthly events like the Fairfield 1st Fridays Art Walk provide a chance to meet the artists, view their latest works, and learn about their creative processes. For those unable to attend in person, many artists, including Joanie McGinnis and Wendy Read, maintain online galleries where their works can be viewed and purchased.
Supporting Women Artists in Fairfield
Supporting local artists is crucial for the continued vibrancy of Fairfield's art scene. Websites like Fairfield 365 and Visit Fairfield Iowa offer information on upcoming events and exhibitions, helping art lovers stay connected with the latest happenings. Purchasing art from local galleries and directly from artists' websites is another way to support these talented women.
