elizabeth felts
For as long as I can remember, I have always been creative. My memories are of drawing, painting, art class in school, building furniture out of blocks, classes at the Art Institute of Chicago, making doll house furniture with my Mom and contributing illustrations to the school newspaper and year book. To name a few!
In choosing what to do with my life when it came time for college it was natural to choose art and design. I was accepted to the Rhode Island School of Design. The year before enrolling I took the opportunity to live in Medan, North Sumatra, Indonesia as an American Field Service cultural exchange student. During the year living with the Salman family I was deeply influenced by the woven and printed fabrics in addition to the beautiful culture surrounding me. I learned the process of making batik, purchased many fabrics and had clothing made at a local seamstress’ shop.
After my return from Indonesia and starting college at RISD, textile design with a focus in Jacquard weaving and print design was an obvious choice for my major. Learning how to put patterns into weaving was challenging and exciting.
I graduated with my BFA in textile design in 1991. The first 10 years of my career were spent designing for textile manufacturers which built and refined my Jacquard weaving skills. I was thankful to have found a profession where I could utilize my creativity. My positions were in contract textile development including office and hospitality seating as well as office panel fabrics. Many of my patterns were placed with major U.S. textile distributors and office furniture manufacturers. As part of more than one design team; I also had the chance to design patterns for the residential market. I enjoyed the fast paced environment, the intricate details of Jacquard weaving and the relationships built within our teams and with outside customers.
During the past ten years I have been a consultant to those manufacturers developing collections for the decorative hospitality market. As a consultant I focus on building a collection of patterns by creating textile artwork (both painted & CAD image), translating artwork to woven construction and providing a complete color story. My career path has also evolved to include patterns for printed fabric, design for the paper industry and graphic design. I have enjoyed finding new creative markets to incorporate my passion for pattern and color.
First and foremost in my life is my Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ who gave me the gift of creativity. My family (Greg and Emma) is very important to me. They help keep my creative juices going! I strive to maintain a balance between family and a creative career. My daughter Emma, age 10, is really good at drawing people. Emma says: “My Mom scrapbooks, draws nature, paints, sews for my American Girl dolls, and makes textile designs.”
In choosing what to do with my life when it came time for college it was natural to choose art and design. I was accepted to the Rhode Island School of Design. The year before enrolling I took the opportunity to live in Medan, North Sumatra, Indonesia as an American Field Service cultural exchange student. During the year living with the Salman family I was deeply influenced by the woven and printed fabrics in addition to the beautiful culture surrounding me. I learned the process of making batik, purchased many fabrics and had clothing made at a local seamstress’ shop.
After my return from Indonesia and starting college at RISD, textile design with a focus in Jacquard weaving and print design was an obvious choice for my major. Learning how to put patterns into weaving was challenging and exciting.
I graduated with my BFA in textile design in 1991. The first 10 years of my career were spent designing for textile manufacturers which built and refined my Jacquard weaving skills. I was thankful to have found a profession where I could utilize my creativity. My positions were in contract textile development including office and hospitality seating as well as office panel fabrics. Many of my patterns were placed with major U.S. textile distributors and office furniture manufacturers. As part of more than one design team; I also had the chance to design patterns for the residential market. I enjoyed the fast paced environment, the intricate details of Jacquard weaving and the relationships built within our teams and with outside customers.
During the past ten years I have been a consultant to those manufacturers developing collections for the decorative hospitality market. As a consultant I focus on building a collection of patterns by creating textile artwork (both painted & CAD image), translating artwork to woven construction and providing a complete color story. My career path has also evolved to include patterns for printed fabric, design for the paper industry and graphic design. I have enjoyed finding new creative markets to incorporate my passion for pattern and color.
First and foremost in my life is my Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ who gave me the gift of creativity. My family (Greg and Emma) is very important to me. They help keep my creative juices going! I strive to maintain a balance between family and a creative career. My daughter Emma, age 10, is really good at drawing people. Emma says: “My Mom scrapbooks, draws nature, paints, sews for my American Girl dolls, and makes textile designs.”
