Masters of Texture

Texture has the power to transform an artwork from something we see into something we almost feel. Through fibers, glass, beads, clay, and paint, texture introduces depth, movement, and emotion. Inviting viewers to look closer and experience the work on a more tactile level.

Discover how these artists use texture as a defining element of their work, creating pieces that celebrate craftsmanship. You can find these artists and many more at the One of a Kind Spring Show, April 24 – 26. 

Fiber artist Catherine Urban creates vibrant woven works that celebrate color, movement, and the tactile nature of textiles. Drawing inspiration from Midwest skies and retro palettes of the 1960s and ​’70s, each weaving combines carefully sourced fibers with reclaimed and vintage frames.

How did you begin working with fiber art?

Catherine: When I began making macramé pieces in 2019, I really enjoyed exploring the different knots and working with fibers. At the time, I was a full-time elementary art teacher, making art on the side and teaching adult classes on weekends. As my art business and dreams grew, I knew it was time to take the leap and pursue being a full-time artist.

What led you to weaving?

Catherine: After creating thousands of macramé pieces, I began craving something with more color and movement, fiber art that really made you feel something when you saw and touched it. In 2023 I discovered weaving and immediately connected with the process. I turned a reclaimed wood frame into a loom and began filling the space with bold colors and layered textures. The finished pieces almost looked like stained glass.

What inspires your work today?

Catherine: I come from a long line of women who create with textiles, so weaving feels like home. I love combining different textures and color palettes inspired by Midwest skies and retro color stories. Many of my fibers come from small businesses and independent weavers, often made from recycled or natural materials. My hope is that viewers feel the warmth and care in each piece, especially when they run their fingers across the fibers.

Dante Germain creates sculptural and functional works inspired by the beauty and movement of water. Known for his clean and organic aesthetic, his pieces often capture the textures of natural landscapes.

Tell us about your creative process.

Dante: Much of my work revolves around ideas connected to water quality and our relationship with bodies of water. Glass became the perfect medium because it allows me to capture a moment in time almost like a sculptural photograph.

How do you create your pieces?

Dante: I collect stones from local lakes and rivers and blow molten glass, heated to about 2000 degrees Fahrenheit, directly into them. The glass forms around the natural shapes of the rocks, creating vessels that reflect the organic features shaped by nature.

What do you enjoy most about creating?

Dante: I love the process of glassblowing, but what I enjoy most is successfully bringing a design concept to life.

Larissa Lee of WILD COSMOS creates apparel that celebrates texture, movement, and bold color. Designing with women’s shapes and lifestyles in mind, each of Larissa’s garments combine original prints with sculptural pleated fabrics.

Tell us about your design process.

Larissa: I design around women’s shapes and lifestyles with the goal of enhancing how they look and feel in everyday life. I develop color stories, silhouettes, and innovative textures, creating original prints and working closely with vendor partners to produce each design.

What makes your garments unique?

Larissa: Every piece is hand-pleated and produced in small runs to minimize waste and create a sense of discovery. The combination of pleats, color, and original prints creates garments that feel both sculptural and wearable.

What inspires you to keep creating?

Larissa: I love helping women feel confident and comfortable in what they wear. Meeting customers and styling them is especially rewarding — seeing their excitement when they discover new colors and silhouettes that enhance them keeps me inspired.

Jewelry artist Diana Ferguson creates intricate bead-woven pieces that blend bold style with craftsmanship. Her work transforms tiny beads into sculptural adornments that function as both fashion and art.

Tell us about your creative process.

Diana: I use off-loom bead weaving techniques such as Peyote Stitch and Square Stitch to construct my jewelry bead by bead using needle and thread. I’m fascinated by the structural possibilities of beads and by the incredible variety of colors, shapes, and textures they offer.

What keeps you creating?

Diana: Beading can be time-consuming, but I find the process incredibly meditative. The repetitive rhythm of weaving allows me to fully immerse myself in the work, and it’s a quiet and contemplative way to create in an otherwise busy world.

What makes your work unique?

Diana: My designs combine wearability, bold style, and a touch of whimsy with a passion for experimentation. The result is an eclectic and ever-evolving collection that balances art, fashion, and personal expression.