Film and web mix perfectly.
This is my final project for my MEJO 121 class, detailing Cat Babbie and her work with tufting.
When Cat Babbie graduated from James Madison University with a Bachelor of Science in Studio Art, she knew a career in art was in her future. It wasn’t until she went to a convention for artists, however, that she knew she would become a fabric artist.
Photo courtesy Cat Babbie.
Cat currently specializes in tufting, but has taken up many different projects, such as the cocoon shown to the right. In September 2020, I interviewed her and showcased her working on her most recent piece, which is called “Future Comes Quickly:Movement.” The video I created is shown below.
Photo courtesy Cat Babbie.
“It’s always important for me to have a partial hand, if not a complete one, in the colors that are going up on my frame.”
CAT BABBIE ON DYING HER OWN YARN
“To see them step back and look at it and go ‘Wow, that’s yarn,’ that’s always been my favorite part.”
CAT BABBIE ON HER FAVORITE ELEMENTS OF TUFTING
The picture above is the final version of Cat’s piece that she created in the video. Not only does it have many different shapes included and various other patterns, but it is also the first full piece she has created in her new studio space. Her workspace is currently located at the Hart-Wizten Gallery in Charlotte, NC.
In the video, Cat explains her journey with fiber art and where she hopes to take it. Even if she never reaches the point of becoming a full-time artist, she knows that she will continue doing art.
One identifying factor of every piece she makes is the depth of the colors she uses. Since she dyes her own yarn, this makes her able to make every piece uniquely hers. She tends to begin her process with a watercolor, and then builds off of that. The diversity of color in every inch of yarn can mimic the watercolor on the page.
Photo courtesy Cat Babbie.
Cat’s work has been featured at many a studio in the Charlotte area. Most recently, she was a member of the Community Supported Art Class of 2020. This was hosted by the Arts & Science Council, a Charlotte-based group committed to spreading people’s art. They’re known for their ArtPop billboards like the miniature one to the right.
Photo courtesy Laurie Smithwick.
Though Cat’s work was not featured through this specific ASC project (ArtPop), it will be shown as the year continues due to the terms of the grant for the Community Supported Art program. Each member was given a commission to create 50 pieces of art. Cat created small tufted pieces – not unlike the piece at the top of the page – for this. The video to the left is a commission she completed recently: restoring an ottoman!
Video courtesy Cat Babbie.
In late May, amidst the Black Lives Matter protests and in the heat of the movement, Cat decided that signing petitions and making donations was not enough in the grand scheme of things. Instead of trying to speak and take the floor from influential Black voices, she decided to use her best medium to spread the word: art.
In a call on her Instagram, she said that with proof of every donation of $25 or more to organizations directly associated with the Black Lives Matter movement, she would send an original watercolor postcard to the person who donated the money. Not only did she accept proof of donation, but she accepted Venmo donations as well that she would send to the organizations.
By June 5, she had gathered donations of over $300 to send to the NAACP, the Black Lives Matter organization, and national and local Bailout funds.
These are various major numbers associated with the movement in its current phase from May to November. All data is from the New York Times. Though Cat’s amount seemed small in the grand scheme of the donation process, she helped inspire other creators to do the same type of fundraiser. She realized that any donation helps, and that she could play a part using her privilege to her advantage.
Even though this year is coming to a close, she has many interesting exhibits lined up for next year! She is also offering many pieces of her art for sale on her website as well as other pieces and other types of art that I did not feature in this video or on this page.
Stay updated on her upcoming projects by following her various social medias (found below) or visiting her website (linked here)!