Rooted Studio is a privately owned studio space in northern Africa, where owner and artist Miriam McAuley has made her home since 2018.
About the Studio
As the name reflects, McAuley highly values being rooted in family and community and flourishing where you are ‘planted’. Rooted Studio values community, the inherent value of each person, and the ability of art to communicate. Art creates natural opportunities for people to connect and share life, and the act of creating gives people a sense of accomplishment and confidence.
Joining in the artisanal atmosphere of the region, Rooted Studio seeks to be a space not only where art is created, but also where art sparks thoughtful and affirming conversations.
Mission
Run by an artist, Rooted Studio will be both an art studio for the learning and practicing of art, as well as a shop selling quality art supplies and unique artwork. Through the running of art classes and activities, it will seek to encourage women in their artistic endeavors and to partner well with local suppliers and artisans.
About the Artist
I have lived much of my life in Africa, and draw my inspiration from the colors, patterns and cultures I’ve had the privilege to live in. Drawing has always helped me engage with the world, making me stop, observe, take note of details, and appreciate the people around me. I am fascinated by the history held in pattern and color, and the stories alluded to by each wrinkle of skin. If I can capture in my portrait drawings or fabric paintings a bit of the beauty of an individual or place, enough for someone else to stop, observe, ponder, and delight, then I am succeeding.
Fabric painting is becoming my main medium. It allows me some whimsy as I play with stylized subjects, color and pattern. However, I can also add detail through the use of a resist and shading. As my style develops, I hope too that my ability to portray stories and hope will grow.
About the Art
My style of painting is similar to batik or silk painting, employing a flour and water resist instead of wax or gutta. I usually work from reference photos that I have taken, using that inspiration to draw a simple template on paper. When I’m ready to begin, I put my template drawing underneath plain white muslin fabric, and trace my design with the flour and water resist. When these lines have dried, I’m ready to paint. I enjoy blending and shading the saturated colors of my fabric paints. When finished painting, I remove the resist, leaving clean white lines behind. The paint is heat set. I finish off my pieces either by stretching them around foam core or sewing them to hang from dowel rods. In the last couple of years I have enjoyed incorporating new patterns and some embroidery into my paintings.
