ST. GEORGE — Step into the whimsical world of textile art, where fabric becomes a canvas and stitches weave stories.
“The most frequent comment I get is ‘I’ve never seen anything like this,” Textile Artist Teri McHale said. “It really draws people in.”
McHale uses thread and paint to transform ordinary cloth into extraordinary tales of creativity. She strives to capture the often-overlooked details of nature through abstract representations of landscapes and natural forms.
She finds inspiration in the smallest of details, from the intricate patterns on a butterfly’s wings to the delicate textures of a leaf. By abstracting these details and incorporating them into her work, she seeks to create a sense of wonder and appreciation for the subtle beauty of nature and encourages viewers to see the world with a fresh perspective.
It all started 20 years ago when her aunt taught her how to quilt. Associating quilting as an “old lady” hobby, she was initially unexcited by the idea. But her mind changed immediately when she was shown images of art quilts and their beauty.
“I’ve really evolved from that and learned new techniques,” McHale said, standing inside her artist showcase at Arrowhead Gallery. “I moved away from even art quilting into layered things and irregularly shaped things. Just pushing the boundaries of what quilting or textile art can be.”
That evolution of art has led to the creation of fiber coasters, scarves, prints and more. Her newest innovations include textile bowls, one of which just earned her an award at the ‘My Favorite Things‘ artist showcase.
Each of her artistic pieces is crafted using a photograph she captured in nature as a point of reference. She creates her wall art with hand-painted silk. When creating stand-alone scarves, she manipulates silk with her hands and thins out the paint, which acts like a dye or watercolor. Her favorite tool to paint with? An eyedropper.
She creates layers by using a sewing product called interfacing — an additional layer applied to the inside of garments to add firmness, shape and structure to areas such as collars. McHale said while there are many art quilters and textile artists, some of her techniques such as layering haven’t been seen anywhere else. One of these layered pieces, which was inspired by a trip to Death Valley National Park, hangs inside her gallery.
“What drew my attention was these mudflats,” she said, pointing at the piece. “Just this runoff of mud that had dried and cracked. The morning light hit a certain way. It’s beautiful. I see things that ‘normal’ people don’t see that make people look at things in a different way.”
Some not-so-beautiful sides of nature have also inspired art, such as a human intervention piece featuring seaweed made from cloth intertwined with pieces of trash.
“It’s the insertion of trash into the environment,” she said. “My daughter named it. It’s called ‘Where Are All the Lobsters’ because there are none due to what we’ve done to their habitat.”
Other ways of producing color include using naturally forming rust. The rusted item is applied to a vinegar-soaked fabric, creating a transfer. The colors work well for many things, such as the varying shades of Southern Utah’s red mountains. She enjoys rust coloring due to its three-dimensional appearance and unique color profiles.
Originally from Oregon, McHale spent most of her life in California. There, she obtained a Bachelor of Fine Art from the San Franciso Art Institute with a focus on printmaking and showcased her work at local art shows. She took a step away from art to have a family and moved to Cedar City three years ago. She often travels to art shows in other states such as Arizona and Colorado.
Experience McHale’s artwork at the Arrowhead Gallery at 68 E Tabernacle Street in St. George, where a dedicated space highlights her artistic creations. One of her pieces can also be seen at Zions Bank’s downtown stairway gallery until March 12. Follow McHale on Facebook and Instagram or visit her website for more information. Email her directly at [email protected].
“Creating textile art is not just a means of creative expression for me,” she said. “It is a way to connect with the natural world and inspire others to see the beauty and complexity that surrounds us. Through my work, I hope to encourage viewers to engage with nature in a deeper and more meaningful way and to foster a greater appreciation and respect for the world we live in.”
Photo Gallery
A bowl by Teri McHale is inspired by the colors of Southern Utah, St. George, Utah, Feb. 22, 2024 | Photo by Jessi Bang, St. George News
Artwork by Teri McHale is pictured | Photo courtesy of Teri McHale, St. George News
Teri McHale's textile artwork is showcased at Arrowhead Gallery in St. George, Utah, Feb. 22, 2024 | Photo by Jessi Bang, St. George News
Textile Artist Teri McHale sits next to her artwork inside the Arrowhead Gallery in St. George, Utah, Feb. 22, 2024 | Photo by Jessi Bang, St. George News
Artwork by Teri McHale is pictured | Photo courtesy of Teri McHale, St. George News
Textile Artist Teri McHale stands next to her layered wall art at the Arrowhead Gallery in St. George, Utah, Feb. 22, 2024 | Photo by Jessi Bang, St. George News
A bowl by Teri McHale is inspired by the colors of Southern Utah, St. George, Utah, Feb. 22, 2024 | Photo by Jessi Bang, St. George News
Work by Teri McHale includes textile framed art, bowls, coasters, prints and more, St. George, Utah, Feb. 22, 2024 | Photo by Jessi Bang, St. George News
An art piece by Teri McHale titled "Where Are all the Lobsters" was inspired by the impact trash has on the environment, St. George, Utah, Feb. 22, 2024 | Photo by Jessi Bang, St. George News
Teri McHale's textile artwork is showcased inside her room at Arrowhead Gallery in St. George, Utah, Feb. 22, 2024 | Photo by Jessi Bang, St. George News
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