Pat Garmhausen — Giardino

Our newest featured artist is Pat Garmhausen of Giardino. She is a self-employed illustrator and designer with a huge collection of fabrics and sundries from many years of art directing photography of fabric collections, and from her mother’s life long fabric and knitting fascination. She has lived in Cleveland Heights since 1991.

What is your first memory of your craft? Did someone teach you, or did you learn on your own?
My mother was a very talented elementary school art teacher, so I just absorbed it from her but I was also really influenced by nature. I remember making little paper birds with wings, owls out of acorns and pinecones.

What is it that draws you to your craft material?
I find I am drawn to textiles and paper, making objects that are useful and beautiful.

How would you describe the style of your work? Does it reflect your personal style?
I like detail, and I like bold graphic shapes too, lots of bright colors and natural shapes.

What are your inspirations?
Nature and history.

Do you have an all-time favorite creation? What about it makes it your favorite?
Usually the newest is my favorite, I have to say I’m loving the printed fabric items right now.

When did you realize that this was more than a hobby?
I’ve been self-employed for a long time, so it’s just an extension of that.

Describe your workspace.
Upstairs in the dormer of my bungalow. I installed skylights in 1999; they face east, so there’s no direct light all day — just perfect. It’s too messy to photograph right now.

What is your favorite task related to your work? Your least favorite?
Exploring new ways of printing and illustrating is probably my favorite.
Anything having to do with billing or taxes is my least favorite.

What is your favorite tool? Why?
Right now it is my speedball linoleum cutter, because I can get an idea about a fabric design, cut it out, and see it printed within an afternoon.

Do you have artistic talents in other areas?
I love gardening, especially fruit gardens. I’ve got a fig, strawberries, apple trees, blackberries, and raspberries in my backyard.

Where can we find your work?
Etsy (username: giardino)
Cafepress (username: inhausdesign)
I have cards and framed art at Heights Art in Cleveland Heights, and framed original art and cards at Artefino Gallery downtown, and framed original art and cards as well as fabric goods at Custom Framing in Lakewood on Madison.