Anita Trezvant-Lopes
Maker Monday - January 2025
About the Artist
Name: Anita Trezvant-Lopes
Medium: mixed media including Textiles, Fibers, Clay
Years creating: professionally since 1997
SCAA member: past few years
Based in: Wakefield, RI
Instagram: @fiber8827
Click an image to view slideshow
Anita has been involved with the local art scene for decades now, but didn't start exhibiting with SCAA until recent years. As you will see, her work uses a wide variety of materials and techniques to create art that tells a story. Anita has been featured in 3 publications: Handmade Dolls, 500 Handmade Dolls and the Modern Human Form, and Soft Dolls and Animals. She has also been the recipient of numerous awards, including The Cape Verdean American Award, the Unsung Hero award, and the RI Women of Distinction award. For many years, Anita owned her own gallery, Hope Gallery in Bristol. These days, she is represented by Judith Klein Gallery in Massachusetts and ACGOW in Westerly, RI. To see more of her creations. - SCAA
Where are you from, and what do you make?
I moved from Portsmouth, RI to Wakefield, RI seven years ago. I work with Textiles, Fibers, Clay and Beads using several types of mix media along with found objects: Painting with Fiber (needle felting), Mix Media Textile/Fabric Collage, Mix Media Figurative Sculpture, and Mix Media Jewelry.
How long have you been seriously pursuing art?
I have been creating professionally since 1997, and at that time I was creating Mix Media Figurative Art, Art Quilts, and Jewelry.
What inspires you to create?
The world around me, my love of Nature, the elements Earth, Wind, Fire, Water and Spirit. Astrology has always interested me especially the planets and moons. I've always had the need to create and "I believe I am telling a story and speaking through my work."
Which artist outside of your chosen medium has had the most impact on your art? What do they do and in what way do they influence you?
From 1996-2007 the artist that inspired me the most was International artist Faith Ringgold. Faith's Art Quilts, clothing style, and the figures she created were pure joy to see. My quilts took on their own style, but because of her I was drawn to that medium.
Is there a work of art that has changed your life or how you view the world in some way?
In 2004 while traveling in Henniker, NH with my husband, we came upon a farm. The sign outside said, "Wool for sale." I had never seen the process of "Painting with Fibers." The Farm had a gift shop attached that sold Alpaca fibers, Merino Wool and felting needles. I was able to meet the Alpacas that the fibers came from. The woman who owned the farm explained to me the process of felting. Many of my mix media pieces now incorporate the technique of "Painting with fibers." I find this medium to be very versatile. It gives me the ability to add other mediums to the work such as embroidery, beading, fabric and clay, etc.
As a member of SCAA, what do you like most about us?
Your ability to make an artist feel welcomed from the moment one enters SCAA to the time one leaves. SCAA's professionalism with classes, the marketing and displaying of exhibits, and the Art Heist are all well run and well received.
Tell us a joke.
Q. What does a momma color wheel say to a baby color wheel?
A. "Don't use that tone with me."