As a former studio potter, Joanne Gold, 59, says she’s drawn to functional art that is both useful and beautiful. So it’s perhaps no surprise that the Florence artist now creates painted floor cloths, an art that has been around since the Renaissance; it was first used as a way to cover dirt floors and beautify the home.
Gold, the owner of Step on it Floor Mats, studied design at Buffalo State University, but learned the basics for her floor mats — preparing the raw canvas, applying primer, paints and urethane — at the Hill Institute in Florence.
Hampshire Life: What are you working on these days?
Joanne Gold: I am working on floor cloths utilizing designs inspired by Pre-Colombian repeating patterns, imagery from nature and especially exotic fish and coastal scenes. I’m having a lot of fun experimenting with fabric prepared with decoupage medium that I can use for collage patterns. I hope my designs invite the viewer into a private space, often with a center ‘window’ that makes the design ‘pop’. This space can be tranquil or exciting.
H.L.: What is your creative process like?
J.G.: I often start with sketches, inspired by patterns noticed in nature and captured on photographs or images in rugs or fabric. After applying the base color, I begin to play with handmade stencils and stamps to create borders. I decide on a color palette and if using fabric, lay the fabrics out and begin cutting shapes and placing them randomly on the mats. As the design emerges, I play with paint and fabric following my intuition. I’m drawn to contrasts and fluidity within the design. I often leave a design overnight and come back with a fresh eye the next day.
H.L.: Does your work start with a “Eureka!”moment?
J.G.: Sometimes, I will lay out some fabrics and a design will literally jump out wanting to be seen. Usually, I need to take risks and play for a while, waiting for the best combination of colors and patterns to emerge.
H.L.: How do you know you’re on the right track?
J.G.: When I lose track of time and the designs flow and ‘feel’ right, I know I’m on the right track.
H.L.: What do you do when you get stuck?
J.G.: I leave it and go on to another mat, rework an old idea from my sketchbook, go back to my design pattern books for inspiration or take a walk with my dog in the woods.
H.L.: How do you know when the work is done?
J.G.: It’s done when it feels complete and any changes seem to detract rather than enhance the design. Sometimes I ask my friends and loved ones for feedback.
H.L.: What did you do today that relates to your art?
J.G.: I sketched some flowers blooming in my garden.
H.L.: Why are you focusing on your artwork at this time in your life?
J.G. After being faced with some physical challenges, I realized I needed to pull inward and concentrate my time on work that nourishes me. I feel I have come full circle back to making art. It fills me in a way that nothing else can.
— Kathleen Mellen
Joanne Gold will participate in a group show in July at the Shelburne Arts Co-op in Shelburne Falls. for information about the show, visit www.shelburneartscoop.com. For information about Gold’s work, visit www.steponitfloormats.com.