Making Every Brush Stroke Count

For my internship at Wilma Magazine, I was asked to interview an artist and write an article summarizing her and what she does. I thought the article would fit perfectly with this assignment since it is one of the first interview articles I have written, and it is actually my first publication. You can see this article in the March issue of Wilma.

Before meeting Dixon Stetler, I looked up some background information on her so I that it seemed more like I had prepared for the interview. I became even more excited to meet her when I learned that her artwork is like nothing I had seen done before.

Dixon Stetler describes herself as a sculptor, but her work defies traditional classification. The artist frequently employs basketry techniques in her constructions, and her medium of choice consists of found objects. Together these two elements form the nucleus of Stetler's individual style.

"I'm inspired by material," Stetler says, adding that she finds much of her material in dumpsters. Discarded items such as cables, wires, garden hoses and electrical cords have weaved their way into many of her recent works, which are distinctively colorful as a result. Many of her pieces are turned into lamps or made into over head lighting decorations. Although some of her works are displayed as sculptures.

A graduate of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Stetler majored in art history and began her artistic career weaving traditional baskets. She started experimenting with found materials because - by her own admission - she was too cheap to keep buying the supplies.

"The colors were better and the material was more fun to work with, so I stuck with it," Stetler says. She told me that weaving things from cable wires has its difficulties, but admits that not matter how much extra time it takes her, she is always more satisfied with what comes out.

Until four years ago, Stetler has considered her art only to be a hobby. At that time, she became founder and co-owner of the Independent Art Company, where she set up her first studio. Stetler's long-term boyfriend, Dan Brawley, is the other co-owner of Independent Art Company and sometimes contributes to her works.

Her studio is one of about seven in the building. It is the only studio set up outside. She uses a shed in the fenced in area next to the building as a workshop. Her work has been shown in a variety of venues including the Louise Wells Cameron Museum or Art and Bottega Art and Wine.

She currently is working on two projects that are influenced by her feminist perspective. A series of dolls will portray various ideals of beauty throughout the world. She is also creating a sculpture of ovaries using found materials which looked very abstract and pleasing to the eye.

A native of Hilton Head, South Carolina, Stetler moved to Wilmington in 2002 and now plays an active role in the community. She works as a counselor for Planned Parenthood and is a member of the board of directors of the Wilmington Children's Museum. Stetler also serves as national bureau chief for Cucalorus film festival.

The artist recently discovered a new calling after witnessing the birth of a friend's son. "I was immediately hooked on birthin' them babies," Stetler says. "And decided to become a doula."