Julie Crabtree was born in Nottinghamshire England, attained City and Guilds of London qualifications in Fashion, Textiles and Embroidery at Mansfield College of Arts where she went on to teach before leaving for a life in Canada and eventually the United States. Along this journey experiencing various aspects of life and skills. She brings this all together as a practicing textile artist, teacher and painter. Primarily a textile artist but more recently painting has become a prevalent passion. “Painting has always been a part of my textile creations, keeping a sketch book journal as a basic working reference to my ongoing projects”. Landscapes are a primary focus steeped in color, texture, earth, trees, foliage, sea and rocks distorted through time and the extreme elements give an endless inspiration for ideas. From realism to a more recent exploratory textural expression. The immersion of nature with centuries of erosion evokes a desire to create as in the past with needle, thread and paint capturing the feeling and time within the pieces. Julie travels with sketch book and camera always at hand whether it be locally, in the woods and hills of her now home in Vermont. Spending many hours developing ideas, which can include layer upon layer combining stitchery by hand , free motion machine stitching, use of sheers and netting, painted and dyed backgrounds, distressed fabrics, hand spun and dyed yarns, felting, use of soluble stabilizers and other experimental techniques to create the effect and feeling she is striving for There is so much more to explore. That as an artist we are given this gift to see and create during our time on earth.
Instructor - Teaching workshops in creative mixed media stitchery, free motion sewing, hand stitchery including experimental work and creating design through art exploration. 2018 - 2019 - Judge for regional art show two years running - East Central Regional Arts Council, Hinkley, MN 2013 - 2018 - Grand Marais Art Colony, Grand Marais, MN 2010 - 2013 - Textile Center, A National Center for the Arts, Minneapolis, MN 2006 - 2007 - WITC Adult Education, Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College, Frederick, WI 1975 - 1979 - West Nottinghamshire College of Education, Mansfield, Nottinghamshire, England Various other workshops Education Mansfield College of Arts, Nottinghamshire, England City and Guilds of London Degree in Fashion City and Guilds of London, Degree in Embroidery, credit ratings pt. 1 and pt. 2 General Certificate of Education, GCE Advanced Level in Art Studied all aspects of Art Media, specializing in Fashion Design, Tailoring, history of Textiles and Fashion, Embroidery and Design Work Publications and Media 2012 - Workbox Magazine UK. " Gypsy Embroiderer" and "Embroidered Journals" how to article 2010 - Guest artist on PBS TV. Sewing with Nancy Program # SN2411D 2009 Dec. 15th - Star and Tribune, Lifestyle section MPLS also picked up by other national newspapers Raven Publishing, Ely, MN. - Go Wild blank journal Spiritwood Music, Ely, MN. - CD cover art "Nordic Nights" 2004 - Wisconsin Trails magazine - Editor Finds, "Handmade for the Holidays" 2004 - Wisconsin West Magazine - "Extra Texture" 2003 - Crafts Report Magazine - "Insight Fiber" 2002 - Kenosha News - "Two Arts in One" Lark Books - "Sewing for A Travel Wardrobe" embroidered journals with instructions 1997 = Greenfield Town Crier - Article embroidery exhibit at Historic Deerfield Museum Store
