PAINTER ALICE ECKELS models one of her latest creations, a wearable art dress she calls Vacation Sophie. Eckels’s work is on display at Ilsley Public Library in Middlebury through April 30.
Photo courtesy Alice Eckels
MIDDLEBURY — In the exhibit “Come What May,” on display through April 30 at Isley Pubic Library, painter Alice Eckels showcases her work, both as paintings and as wearable art. The show includes 14 of her floral, abstract and landscape paintings and four items of clothing.
Eckels describes the work as “awash with mythical spring colors, sure to soothe and excite library visitors.” She says her unique approach to making both art and useful items creates endless and ever-novel variety for her and her viewers. “Taking in the scenes and subjects cheerfully depicted in sheets of color and writerly lines,” she writes, “the viewer realizes that there is an everlasting spring that feeds the creative output of this artist.” From zebras to marigolds and all the combinations of flora and fauna in the exhibit, Eckles’s intent is to celebrate the inventiveness she is known for.
Nine of the paintings are landscapes — three from her “Inhabited Landscape” series. The library is not the only place in Middlebury where paintings by the East Middlebury artist can be viewed. “Inhabited Landscape, Eagle” is on view at Sparrow Art Supply until April 24, as part of “Nice To Meet You,” Sparrow’s inaugural group show. Hidden in the isles of Otter Creek Used Book Store Eckles has an ongoing selection of small work on view. Golden Rule Mead is a satellite location for Alice Eckles Studio classes, gallery and events such as the Spring Vermont Open Studio Weekend, May 28-29.
“You never know what will come from the fountain when you get creative,” she says. “I took a leap of faith to work with Le Galeriste in Montréal to create wearable art from my fine art paintings, and that faith has been rewarded.
Le Galeriste is focused on sustainability and limits fabric waste to a bare minimum. Fabrics are dyed in house with environment friendly water-based inks. Production is completely local and guarantees the artists copyrights. The technologies and machinery used in production were initially developed for high-end professional sports clothing. The fabric is made of polyester and spandex yarn reknitted for fashion. All the fabrics are vegan, moisture wicking and wrinkle- free. The garments are also humanely made by stitchers and other workers earning a fair and livable wage.
While Alice Eckles Studio keeps a small inventory of clothing on hand, most sales are by special order because AES Fashions are printed and produced on demand and custom made for the client. Sometimes there is even some collaboration.
Prices for her work range from $20 to $160. Wearable art and accessories come in a variety of shapes and sizes including: face masks, bags, pouches, pillows, scarves, shirts, pants, leggings, dresses, skirts and more. Most items are designed for women, but she has a few men’s items as well. Everything comes in sizes extra small, small, medium, large, and extra large.
