By Betty A. Little
posted
Jun 8, 2012
The new Killington Arts Guild Show, "Spring into Summer" at
Cabin Fever Gifts is full of beautiful flowers-iris, sunflowers,
petunias, and lilacs. One can almost smell them they are so lovely.
But what caught my eye were two quilted fabric pieces, by Muffy
Kashkin Grollier, of crows - dark, flying forms against homespun
designs in fabric and beads. Some years ago she did a large gallery
show with magical fairies, gnomes and fantasy. It ran the width of
the gallery under the windows. The crows seemed quite a change,
perhaps more mysterious.
Art has been part of Muffy Kashkin Grollier life since she was a
small child. Her mother was an artist, her greatest mentor and
teacher. She went to Art School at the University of Hartford Art
School and Mass College of Art before she married. Life then led
her to Vermont. Here, she worked with children about thirty years
and finished a Bachelor of Science degree in Human Services. She
believes children learn best when they are free to explore. "My
job," she says, "is to provide a stimulating environment, be a
source of inspiration and provide knowledge. I want children to
learn to be self-motivating and creative."
Magic and fantasy have also been a part of her life and her work.
"I cannot remember a time when I did not have a little gnome doll
or made drawings of fairies," she says. She learned to make
applehead dolls and then worked with polymer and paper clays. Doll
making brings her fantasy friends to life. "Beware," she says, "if
you come to my studio, you may find my dolls dancing in the
moonlight."
"When I was a child I lived across the street from the town forest
in the Boston suburbs and grew up loving nature. I began sewing as
a child, doll clothes and my own clothes. I took a free form sewing
workshop in Connecticut, loved the idea of making art with fabric.
Crows and ravens are especially magical so I incorporated them into
my fabric art." Muffy has three pieces at the KAG Gallery, two in
Manchester at the Southern Vermont Arts Center members show and
will have two others in a show in Plymouth, MA in July and
August.
KAG is very grateful to have her wonderful work on display in
Killington in addition to the many other wonderful pieces that make
up the new "Spring into Summer" gallery show.
Tagged:
KAG, Muffy Kashkin Grollier, Killington Arts Guild
