Debra Hosler

Debra Hosler began working with fiber and textiles as a child. She learned a wide variety of needlework skills and other art media through the activities of her mother and grandmother. Her background in sewing led to a love for quilting, which she pursued for many years as she created art quilts and studied surface design and mixed media techniques. She eventually moved from flat surfaces to the design and construction of three-dimensional fabric vessels. Debra uses both commercial fabrics and her own hand dyed cottons and silks to create these pieces; each one is unique.

In 2006 Debra assisted with the production of a group show in Finland, where she was invited to attend a class covering several wet felting techniques. She found working with wool intriguing, but she did not pursue it further until several years later when she realized the possibility of using dyed wool to create imagery that could be framed for the wall. She also uses her sewing, felting, and fabric dyeing and painting skills to create wearable art accessories such as scarves, hats, and handbags. Debra recently has expanded her work, combining ink, paint, and papers with gel plate printing to create monotypes and collaged images as well.

Debra maintains a studio in the Newcastle Packing Shed Artists Studio and Gallery in Newcastle, CA where she offers classes in various fiber arts and mixed media techniques. Her work is also regularly available at High Hand Gallery in Loomis, CA.