The interaction of fabric collages through texture, colour and unique embellishment is the current focus of multi-media textile artist, Andraya. She focuses on the use of various hard and soft elements and affixes these to a textile background for a large part of her artwork. She also crafts with polymer clay, wire, beads and semi precious crystals for unique one-of-a-kind pieces of art.
“…My art is unusual because it has function and purpose that combine with visual appeal to enhance daily living…”
Myths and religions, ancient Goddesses, the sensuality of the female form, Earth-based spiritual practices, and the struggle for women’s equality in society are all sources of inspiration and translated into art through her Goddess Hangings. Another momentum for her artwork are the experiences and positive virtues we all aspire to realize and absorb during our ‘Earth-walk’ while seeking to raise our own individual vibrational rates. She interprets this philosophy into art through her Shimmerings line of crystals and beads. Andraya seeks to combine the spiritual with the holistic to impart a sense of balance.
“…I feel compelled to explore the aspects of the ancient and sacred feminine, and then translate the images and emotions which inspire me through the medium most often used by women throughout the ages – fabric. However, I also realize that many of the natural components of the earth have their own unique properties, and I believe that these have been given to us by Nature to use for our own betterment by raising our vibrational rates to achieve healing and wholeness. I believe that I have achieved some success with this methodology via my Shimmerings line of products. I enjoy the challenge of stimulating the viewer’s senses through my art by using various textures augmented with colour and design to achieve an organic sense of connection with the spiritual and the holistic.
By using the aspects and virtues attributed to the various ancient Goddesses, I am seeking to bring these qualities into the lives of those who own my artwork; see my Goddess Hangings and Mystical Inspiration lines. Likewise, through the use of semi precious earth crystals and stones, their associated qualities are brought into the places where these pieces of art eventually will reside; see my Shimmerings. I am designing my art to be more than visual pieces; these are also pieces that can help to promote healing, fulfillment and fun!…”
Andraya combines hand-dyed fabric, stencilling, stamping, and textile paint techniques with embellishments of beadwork, embroidery, wire-art and polymer clay; and achieves the results for unique, one-of-a-kind, original artwork. She often uses quilted textiles as a canvas for her pieces, and recently has started experimenting with wood, concrete and paper as foundations on which to build her art. She crafts most of her own stamps and stencils and makes her own moulds for her figurines; see her Hidden Treasures for some unique ideas.
Currently she is exploring and experimenting with combining various techniques and mediums into a new line of Goddess art dolls appropriately titled: In Her Image. This line should be available in the early summer of 2007.
Andraya also practices alternative healing modalities; especially those concentrating on the body’s energy centers such as Dowsing, Reiki and Therapeutic Touch. She has also developed a line of specialized products for her students, which is now being offered to the general public; see her Healer’s Tool Box. She augments healing treatments with various crystal therapies using chakra healing kits. She is also an enthusiastic supporter of vibrational theory for healing and wholeness. Andraya and her husband Jeff use a team approach when teaching various healing techniques at local workshops. Check the website’s News section for more information on upcoming workshops.
Andraya holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Waterloo and studied fashion design at Sheridan College. In addition, she achieved post degree certificates in Women’s Studies and Social Development also from the University of Waterloo. Growing up in a family of accomplished tailors and seamstresses, she was taught needlework skills as a young child in Germany, gaining high proficiency in both garment construction and design.
Several times each year, Andraya teaches her skills through various workshops, including: sewing skills for beginner and advanced students; traditional and experimental quilting methods; pattern drafting; garment construction; making your own Goddess Wall Art; beading and wire-work, similar to Shimmerings; crafting your own meditation robes; making stamps and stencils from various materials to makes your own Goddess Cards, etc. Contact her for more information or check the ’News’ section on this website for upcoming workshops.
Andraya and Jeff make their home in the rural countryside of Southern Ontario, Canada. The couple is owned by two ferocious felines who sometimes respond to the names of Agate and Hematite, when they aren’t sleeping the day away.
Custom commissions are welcomed. Contact Andraya at 519-655-6800; or by Email at:
