Catherine Bilyard
Haydan, ID
I am a fiber artist that chooses to work outside the box. I do this by choosing any kind of fiber from duck cloth to leather or upholstery fabric, old clothing or unusual recyclables, yarns or metals to best tell a story through texture and color. My work always starts with something that deeply moves me. I am driven to tell the story of a person, who has inspired me or an experience I have that just seems to trigger emotions. I work from photos or with photos or with I print on fabric. I might use collage, applique, paint, dye or a torch or burn something to give the texture or feeling I am seeking as dictated by the piece upon which I am working.
Selected Exhibitions and Honors
Against All Odds-Joe Rantz Olympian was displayed in the Sequim Museum for two years as part of a display honoring Joe Rantz whose team won Olympic Gold for the University of Washington Crew Team in 1936 held in Hitler’s Germany. Joe lived in Sequim as a teenager in a house alone, abandoned by his parents, during the depression. His story is one of great resiliency as he not only won Olympic Gold but had a stellar career at Boeing as a Chemical Engineer and the lifetime love of his teenage sweetheart and their five children. His life has been immortalized by Daniel Brown in the book “Boys in the Boat”. Quotes and pictures in the quilt were donated by Daniel Brown, the Sequim Museum and Joe’s daughter Judy and reproduced with their permission. Someday the quilt will be housed in the University of Washington Crew Boat House.
“The Boys in the Boat” group project of which my “Against All Odds-A Tribute to Joe Rantz” was one of five pieces took Best Wall Quilt at Sun Bonnet Sue Quilt Show in Sequim, WA.
“Tranquility in Petersburg” has never been shown.