Ricki Maietta

A word from the artist ...

Gazebo Textiles is the culmination of all my interests. I’ve been sewing and doing artwork since the age of three. I love to travel. I study ancient cultures, and I have a fascination with outer space. I’m a passionate follower of politics and current events. I herb garden. These interests are the rich sources of inspiration in my fabric, garment and wall art designs.

While I have attended art classes in college, art school, seminars and symposiums, I consider myself self-taught. I’ve drawn, painted, done sculpture and collage, but didn’t come into my own until melding my art with my sewing skills. There’s just something about the intense saturation of color and the textural elements of fabric that excites and inspires me.

Making art quilts led me to fabric painting. I spent several years on the quiet gazebo in my backyard, learning by doing, trial and error, all the intricacies of fabric paints. I have over time evolved into a style of loose and free flowing colors, able to create mood, atmosphere and drama, organic and gestural impressions on various types of fabrics that I use in my artwork. In additional to artwork in fabric, I began making one-of-a-kind clothing for myself. When frustration set in with trying to force my artistic nature into the corporate world, I decided to start a business selling my one-of-a-kind creations through the art show circuit. Gazebo Textiles was born.

Gazebo Textiles is a one-person operation. I am sole designer and creator of everything. I have no apprentices or assistants, although my family has been helpful and supportive. My summer studio is still the gazebo in my back yard. My winter studio is in my home. I continue to draw on my array of interests for inspiration, such as the Egyptian stamp designs I am currently carving for a line of summer dresses and tops, my outer space quilts called the Europa Series, or the nobody-would-actually-wear it vest called Wear Your Womanhood Proudly, made entirely of sanitary napkins, vinyl and girly-girl do-dads.

My philosophy in both garment design and wall quilts is a series of contrasts: simple design - complex fabrics; straight lines - free form shapes; cool - warm; texture - smooth; light - dark; loose - contained; abstract - realism; bold color - atmospheric; whimsy - drama. Yes, you’ll see all that, and also, some darn good sewing!

Gazebo - A free-standing, roofed, usually open-sided structure providing a shady resting place. On the Internet at: http://www.gazebotextiles.com/

The American Heritage Dictionary

"3-Fabric Jacket"
painted discharged Indonesian Ikat

"Petroglyph Jacket"
batik on denim

"Vest La Coeur"
cotton voile, sheer cotton duster vest

"Place of Enlightment"
41x53 inches wall quilt

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