Leverett artist Hillary Wilbur Ferro, 39, works in a variety of artistic mediums, depending, she says, on what’s inspiring her at the moment.
“I am generally working on multiple things at once, in many different mediums — anything from watercolor painting, relief printmaking, jewelry making, fiber arts, ceramics or craft projects with my kids,” Wilbur Ferro said.
Much of her current work — primarily relief printmaking and watercolors — began as watercolor paintings of animals filled with patterns and lines. This evolved to paintings of animals within animals. Later, she tried making similar images as relief prints, carving into wood. That, in turn, evolved to carving relief stamps and using those stamps to fill an animal shape or vessel. Most recently, she’s been using the stamps to create mandalas or what she calls “mini bird conversations.”
“The absorbing process of creating beautiful things, filling spaces with the repetition of line and pattern, animals and pleasing colors provides peaceful ventures and meditations into quiet moments of artistic bliss,” Wilbur Ferro said.
Kathleen Mellen: Why do animal images play such an important role in your artwork?
Hillary Wilbur Ferro: It reflects the appreciation I have of nature and the inspiration I find in it. My work contemplates and honors my many spirit animal totems. Within these confined spaces, I find a sense of order and meditative calm amid the chaos in life.
K.M.: What motivates you?
H.W.F.: I take daily walks in the woods and often find my mind trailing to things I’d like to make. Most of my work is somehow rooted in nature, be it animals or landscapes. I make lists in my sketch book of ideas to pursue and mini sketches of those ideas.
K.M.: How do you know you’re on the right track?
H.W.F.: When I am enjoying myself and what I am working on
K.M.: How do you know when a work is done?
H.W.F.: Sometimes I don’t know whether something is finished and I’ll set it aside. Other times I begin having the thought, “I’ve gone overboard in my minute details and designs and should stop.”
K.M.: What did you do today that relates to your art?
H.W.F.: I got up this morning and before coffee, started the wood stove in my studio knowing I would have a few hours to savor in my cozy confines. Later I began carving and printing more birds for my relief print series, “bird conversations.”
K.M.: What do you do when you are not working on your art?
H.W.F.: I enjoy spending time indoors and out with my husband and two boys. In my free time, I practice yoga and get outdoors to bike and hike. I teach middle and high school visual arts at the Pioneer Valley Regional School in Northfield.
Hillary Wilbur Ferro’s artwork is on view through Dec. 31 at the Leverett Library. For information, visit:
www.leverettlibrary.org
“Of Land, Sea and Sky,” relief prints and watercolor paintings by Ferro, will be on view in January and February in the Lane Family Reading Room Gallery at the Sunderland Public Library.