Interview
Paulette Martsolf
Paulette grew up in St. John’s, in Newfoundland, Canada, surrounded by rugged coastlines and charmed by the Island’s music. She graduated as the top student of fashion design at Sheridan College, Ontario, and on a scholarship, followed up her studies in Paris. She won several design awards while in college.
For 30 years, she successfully designed, manufactured and retailed a line of clothing and jewelry in Dallas, Texas. Paulette also choreographed and produced many charity fashion shows for local organizations including The Dallas Museum of Art, the Museum of Biblical Arts, and the Red Carpet Event of the Dallas Opera. She was honored by Women That Soar in the Entrepreneur category.
Paulette has since decided to challenge herself in a new artistic direction—looking to incorporate elements of fashion into art. Transitioning from a career in fashion, the technique of sewn paper collage perfectly moves her creative process to a new and exciting art form. She has created a collection that embodies this technique, which evolves with each new work.
She entered her first sewn paper collage piece ‘Remote Control 1’ into a juried show, and won first prize in the Mixed Media category. The validation was exciting, and Paulette looks forward to adding more accolades.
What is your background and how did you start your journey in the art world?
“I was born in 1957 in St. John’s, Newfoundland. Being raised in this unique heritage and nourished by its native cuisine, Newfoundlanders are branded as ‘Newfies’, and I’m proud to be one!
I worked with a labor union, and it wasn’t until I married and moved to Toronto that I was able to pursue my career as a fashion designer. This began my unbelievable creative path. Life later took me to Dallas, Texas where I created my own brand Allie-Coosh. I designed, manufactured and retailed the collection for 30 years. I have now passed the baton to my niece who has been with me for 20 years. I was never motivated by money, but by a burning desire to succeed in a field that filled me with passion. I worked day and night, 7 days a week for many years, and had an amazing staff that recognized my commitment. It soared beyond my wildest expectations.
The most powerful and rewarding event was when I was asked to create a fashion show at the Dallas Museum of Art in conjunction with the Chagall Exhibit. I was able to preview the exhibit and decided to draw my inspiration from the colors in his art.
With encouragement from my fiancé, I began to dabble in art. It began with encaustic and moved to acrylic, oil, sculpture, fiber art and monotypes. I was searching for my voice, and have to admit that I love doing it all. As an extension of my previous career, I want to bring the past to the present. Textiles were ever present in my life and as I began to manipulate paper, I recognized its similarities to fabric. First, I began with solid paper. Then I created monoprints and ghost prints in ink, acrylic and oil. I began to weave and manipulate in a sculptural way. I know textiles will find a way into the work as well as other elements from my fashion past. It has been such fun, and I’m only just beginning!”
What inspires you most?
“I have always been passionate about art. I remember my first purchase from a Chinese artist represented at a gallery in Santa Fe. I could not stop thinking about this piece. I could not sleep! This is how I have acquired most of my artwork. If I walk away and cannot forget about it, when it speaks to my soul and internally moves me, then it has to be a part of me!
I visit galleries and museums and peruse art, fashion, and home décor magazines constantly. YouTube has so many powerful videos of music, dance, digital art. Color and texture stimulate the senses, and Mother Earth provides an endless supply of both beautiful and tragedy.”
What themes do you pursue? Is there an underlying message in your work?
“Often, I don’t begin with an underlying theme. I just begin to paint, cut and sew. As it evolves, I get a vision. Each time, I always wonder where it is going to take me.
With the war in Ukraine, I needed to create a piece that represented my love for the people, and the devastation of their beautiful country. As a result of this, I now find myself focusing more on an idea, an occasion, an event. Having meaning just might empower me in expanding the process! Isn’t it all about evolution and growth?”
How would you describe your work?
“I want to create beauty! Personally, I feel better surrounded by beautiful things that feed my soul. My home is a total reflection of what I love. There is so much negativity in the world that my artistic vision is to spread some joy, hope and love.
I think in terms of collections. Creating a fashion show is about one garment leading to the next, and as I complete one piece of art, I am compelled to do my art collection. I see this evolving more and more as I grow as an artist.”
“As a designer who used a lot of black in each collection, there was not a hint of black in the Dallas Museum of Art show. We draped 600 yards of silk georgette down the stairway of the museum where the models entered. The tables were decorated in the same colors.
I was so moved by the whole experience that when I took to the stage, my voice cracked and tears filled my eyes. How could this happen to a little girl from Newfoundland?”
Which artists influence you most?
“The world is full of incredible art, making it impossible to pick a few. I am always looking at other artists’ works. Now with social media and the internet, we have an endless library to fuel our engines.”
What is your creative process like?
“I am addicted to the process and the work, just as I was as a clothing designer. Working at what I love is the greatest gift for me. People tell me to relax, to slow down, and I respond that this is what I love to do. I am capable of creating an incredible mess!
Paper is my main material accompanied by oil, acrylic, and ink. Sometimes fabric, beads, buttons and thread are added in homage to my past. I create monotypes and ghost prints, and weave and manipulate papers in many ways.”
What is an artist’s role in society and how do you see that evolving?
“Creative minds have an obligation to provide their communities with joy and inspiration. Artists have the ability to critique our political, environmental and social systems in a positive way, to enable change. We should experiment and push ourselves to create new and innovative ways and techniques that have not traditionally been used before.”
Have you had any noteworthy exhibitions you'd like to share?
“I have exhibited my work in various galleries and have been acknowledged as shown below:
Awards:
2022 - Art Ideal Issue 2 - ‘Drowning In The Noise’ Printed in an online publication.
- Light Space Time - Online Exhibition - Fast Forward.
- Camelback Gallery - Selected as 1 of 8 Artists of the month for ‘Drowning In The Noise’.
- Camelback Gallery - ‘Circle of Life’ - Bronze Award for Artists Choice VIII International Juried Visual Arts Exhibition.
- Light Space Time - 3 Dimensional Special Recognition - ‘Spatial Matter’.
- Artistonish - ‘Connectivity’ selected for online exhibition.
-‘Drowning In The Noise’ - Selected for public exhibition, Art In The Atrium in Frisco, Texas.
- McKinney Performing Arts Center - ‘Drowning In The Noise’ one of 13 large pieces selected for award and exhibition.
2021 - Scenic International 2021 - Exhibition - Show cased Online - Drowning In The Noise.
- The Rockwall Art League - First Place, Mixed Media - Remote Control 1.
- The Artist’s Circle - Second Place, Pink Passion Exhibition - Tropical.
- The Artist’s Circle - Selections for online exhibition, Tropical - Another Dimension -Checkmate.
- The Artist’s Circle - Black & White or Maybe Gray - Second Place - Remote Control 1.
- The Artist's Circle - Online Exhibition - Convergence Gotham.”
