Silkollages · Ethnikollages · Textile Collage
Francelise
Dawkins
"Collages, whether made of words, paper, objects or cloth, have always been my means of expression."
"What I seek is an element of uncensored, emotional surprise, beyond multicultural reality. I am on a spiritual exploration, deepening my sense of what it really means to belong to the human race. It is about exploring that sense of oneness, born out of welcoming the difference we are." — Francelise Dawkins
1988
Silkollages
A meditative concept in textile collages introduced to interior designs — silk as a medium of calm contemplation.
1992
Ethnikollages
A cultural reactivation — cloth from Asia, Africa and Europe woven into collages that blur the boundaries between civilisations.
Now
Oneness
Abstract or representational life forms as dancing shapes — inviting viewers into a maze of fabric that expands true awareness.
Selected Works
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Exhibited & Taught At
American Craft Museum, NYC
Smithsonian Institute, Washington DC
New Orleans Museum of Art
NY State Museum, Albany
Hyde Collection Museum
Works
Portfolio
Fabric collages in silk, cotton, and mixed textiles — miniature quilts, wall hangings, and soft installations.
All works are available for purchase. Contact the artist for inquiries: (518) 698-3711
About
Biography
Statement
Collages, whether made of words, paper, objects or cloth, have always been my means of expression. In 1988, I first coined the term "Silkollages" to introduce my meditative concept in textile collages to interior designs. Then in 1992, I added "Ethnikollages" to re-activate cultural interests. My collages are either embroidered into miniature quilts, or framed into window boxes. When large and three-dimensional, they become hanging art quilts or soft installation pieces. Abstract or representational life forms as dancing shapes seem to multiply in my work. I draw them out of colorful cloth from Asia, Africa and Europe to visually create a blurring of boundaries between such cultures. As a collage maze is formed, the viewers are invited to enter it. If my playing on fabric brings the viewers to rethink the multiplicity expressed, an expansion of their own true awareness might occur. What I seek is an element of uncensored, emotional surprise, beyond multicultural reality. I am on a spiritual exploration, deepening my sense of what it really means to belong to the human race. It is about exploring that sense of oneness, born out of welcoming the difference we are.
Francelise Dawkins
Biography
Francelise Dawkins is a Parisian "textile collagist", living in the U.S. for over two decades. She first studied Fiber Arts at the Art League School of Indianapolis before moving to NY, where she developed her meditative concept for interior designs in textile collages. She has since exhibited or taught at the American Craft Museum in NYC, the Smithsonian Institute in Washington DC, the New Orleans Museum of Art, the NY State Museum in Albany, NY, and other renowned venues. One of her installations was part of the "Putt-Modernism" show at the Hyde Collection Museum in Glens Falls, NY. Writing about her art, she had essays published, such as the one on intuition in Margaret Blanchard's book: "From the Listening Place". She designed the art cover for Gisele Pineau's French novel: "L'Espérance-Macadam". Many of her pieces have been shown in magazines, on cable network TV and books, such as Carolyn Mazloomi's contemporary art quilt book: "Spirit of the Cloth". Her work is part of the permanent collection of the Museum of the American Quilter's Society in Paducah, KY.
1988
Coined "Silkollages" — meditative textile collages for interior design
1992
Added "Ethnikollages" — cultural reactivation through multicultural cloth
—
Exhibited at American Craft Museum, NYC; Smithsonian Institute, Washington DC; New Orleans Museum of Art; NY State Museum
—
"Putt-Modernism" installation at Hyde Collection Museum, Glens Falls, NY
—
Essay on intuition published in Margaret Blanchard's "From the Listening Place"
—
Designed art cover for Gisele Pineau's French novel "L'Espérance-Macadam"
—
Work featured in Carolyn Mazloomi's "Spirit of the Cloth"
—
Permanent collection: Museum of the American Quilter's Society, Paducah, KY
2017
Opened Francelise Art Studios, 79 Beekman Street, Saratoga Springs, NY
News & Updates
Blog
Francelise Art Studios
Back in blogging mode, I want to let everyone know that I have a new location on Beekman Street to do my textile collages! My studios are now on 79 Beekman Street, in Saratoga Springs, NY.
I opened the studios last summer with the desire to do collages in one of three rooms, have French classes and creative writing sessions with members of the community indoors or outdoors, since there is a beautiful garden space on the side of the studios.
You may contact me at (518) 698-3711.
Meditative Radiance: The Art of Willie Marlowe
Feneex Gallery Presents
Meditative Radiance: The Art of Willie Marlowe
July 13 – August 31, 2012
Opening Reception: Friday, July 13, 6–8 PM
Willie Marlowe has shown paintings in solo and invitational exhibitions in the U.S. and abroad. Her work is included in museum, university, corporate and private collections.
Her work is informed by travel, going to museums and archaeological sites in Europe, the Yucatan and Russia. She often works on intimately scaled acrylic paintings on paper. Her luminous surfaces are achieved by using an intense palette and successive layers of translucent glazes.
She taught painting and drawing in the Department of Visual Arts, The Sage College of Albany, and has taught watercolor in two of The Sage Colleges' international studies programs, "Sage at Oxford", Somerville College, Oxford University, and "Celtic Connections" in Scotland and Ireland.
She is now Professor Emerita, The Sage Colleges.
"I find that painting is an unfolding journey that leads to incremental discovery rather than a certain path to a predetermined destination. My early influences were medieval manuscript illuminations and Persian and Indian miniature paintings. I was attracted to the clear color, intricate detail and sense of space. I continue to be drawn to the focus and presence these images can have. My paintings are small in scale, though not quickly accomplished. They are frequently begun with a sgraffito line that reveals a brilliant color underneath. Most paintings are abstract, but many have references to ancient art and archaeology."
The exhibition is curated by Stephen J. Tyson
New Show! "George W. Simmons: Monotypes & Collages"
George W. Simmons brings a myriad of different life experiences to his art, displaying at times fearful and humorous themes simultaneously in his abstract collage monotypes. Mr. Simmons was born in Port of Spain, Trinidad. At the age of two, his family moved to Barbados, eventually moving to the United States when Mr. Simmons was seven. He received his undergraduate degree from Hampton University. Afterwards, Mr. Simmons moved to New York City, in order to study studio art at Empire State College and to be closer to the art scene. In NYC, he also worked as photographer's assistant and a fine art transporter. He later earned his Masters degree in studio art at University of Wisconsin, Madison. Mr. Simmons has worked with the New York State Assembly as a photographer and is presently the Deputy Director of the photography department. George W. Simmons has been included in many regional juried art shows, having received several awards. Mr. Simmons has exhibited and continues to exhibit in many fine galleries in the United States.
George Simmons innovated a technique using "carbon paper as a 'plate,' hand burnishing to make prints or monotypes. (I hand burnish with the tip of a pencil). I experimented with the 'plate,' adding elements to the ink and carbon black surface as well as subtracting from that surface to create a more dynamic and complex plate. I combine this "print" area with drawing, and college elements."
This fascinating exhibition opens with a reception on Saratoga's "First Night," May 4 from 6 – 9 pm, and closes on Sunday, June 10. The Feneex Center is located at 30 Beekman Street, in Saratoga's "Art District". For more information call Feneex Boutique & Gallery: (518) 584.5550.
Women of the Arts Certificate of Appreciation!
On Saturday, August 6, Francelise, together with other noted women of the Capital Region, was honored with a Certificate of Appreciation for her contribution to the arts.
Times Union
Feneex Boutique & Gallery and Francelise Dawkins were recently featured in the Times Union's online blog, Home Decor, by Eliza DeRocker:
"Beekman Street in Saratoga has a number of shops worth visiting, Rena's Fine Flowers and Mimosa Gallery. I also have written about the Front Room Gallery, which is a newer boutique. Toward the end of the street, the shops include Feneex Boutique, where designer Francelise Dawkins displays textile collages, prints, and local artists such as Martine Choquet of Gloversville (originally from France), and artist Chris O'Connor's jewelry and glass beads. I was most impressed with Francelise's textile collage titled "Gift of the Mangrove," which represents all things related to the Underground Railroad. She has sewn together pieces of fabric that depict the fields and animals encountered by the people who escaped in search of their freedom."
Gift of the Mangrove was one of several works displayed at the Arts Center of the Capital Region, Troy, NY in April. Francelise was among several artists invited to create and exhibit textile works of art in conjunction with the 10th Anniversary Conference on the Underground Railroad Movement, held at Russell Sage College. This year's conference theme was "Abolishing Slavery in the Atlantic World: the 'Underground Railroad' in the Americas, Africa, and Europe and its relationship with us today – A Fresh Interpretation of an Old Story."
Feneex Center presents "Pathways" by visual artist Stephen J. Tyson
FENEEX CENTER presents
Pathways
Acrylic paintings on canvas and wood by
Stephen J. Tyson
Feneex Center, 30 Beekman Street, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866
July 2011
"In this exhibition, the sound of music is a metaphor for the movement of life, distilled and expressed through an artist's temperament as visual form—the artistic tradition of abstract art, which dates back to the dawn of human existence.
In some ways, these visual forms reflect my interest in the world of science, underscoring my appreciation for pathways between the micro- and the microcosm (a relationship also acknowledged in the works of artists in ancient cultures).
I feel linked to a mysterious blend of past and present cultures, of sound and sight, of stillness and movement, of nature, science, and spirituality.
I'm therefore delighted to share the story of this moment in my journey with you."
— Stephen J. Tyson, July 2011
Feneex Center to host the California Bali Collection!
FENEEX CENTER will be hosting Dorothy Randall Gray's CALIFORNIA BALI COLLECTION* of summer line clothes!
Don't miss this exciting SALE!!
Thursday, June 30, 1–7 & Friday, July 1, 1–7 at the NEW Feneex Center, 30 Beekman Street in the Arts District of Saratoga Springs, NY. Contact: feneexcenter@gmail.com 518.698.3711 or DRGheartland@aol.com 213.321.7930
"There will be stunning designs in natural & easy care fabrics at affordable prices in every size!
For over 10 years our exquisite clothing has been sold only at private showings. Now we are offering our entire collection to the public.
Come and enjoy what our devoted customers have been raving about!!
Shop our exclusive collection and visit the Feneex Boutique & Gallery next door for unusual gifts featuring colorful textile collage art by owner Francelise Dawkins and other artists.
A percentage of every CBC sale is donated to organizations that support women and girls empowerment. California Bali Collection is a division of the Heartland Institute for Transformation."
Dorothy Randall Gray, Executive Director
* Formerly The Well-Dressed Goddess
Feneex Boutique & Gallery
Feneex is a unique boutique and gallery of unusual gifts of art for one and all! It features colorful textile collage art, such as The Community Gathering Series, ethereal mobiles, and printed art by owner Francelise Dawkins. Also shown: vibrant drawings and paintings by Stephen J. Tyson; elegant silk scarves, Kimono bags & pillows by Charlene Leary; beautiful hand-painted scarves by Kathy Klompas; Om signs, quilted rugs, jewelry, and artful potholders by Danielle Lyons; jackets and tote bags by Peggy Long; jewelry by Cecilia Hayes and Chris O'Connor; fiber sculptures by Wil Ketjens; and original textile art cards by Joanna Monroe, and Fascinators and cocktail accessories by Becky Levine!
We are located "downstream" on the "sweet extra-mile" at 30 Beekman Street (last building on the left) in the Saratoga Springs Arts District.
Inquire about collage workshops for you or a group of up to 8!
Contact us at 518.698.3711 or Email: feneexoring@yahoo.com.
Summer store hours: Thursday-Saturday, 11-6 pm; Wednesday & Sunday, 1-6 pm; Monday & Tuesday by appointment.
Merci & please visit us soon!
Welcome to my Blog!
My name is Francelise Dawkins, textile collagist and the owner of Francelise Art Studios, located at 79 Beekman Street, in the Arts District of Saratoga Springs, NY 12866.
My new phone number is: (518) 698-3711.
Opening hours: Thursday through Sunday or by appointment.
Née à Paris et d'ascendance guadeloupéenne, je m'appelle Francelise Dawkins et suis collagiste textile aux US depuis trois décennies. Mon nouvel atelier est Francelise Art Studios, au 79 Rue Beekman, dans le quartier des artistes à Saratoga Springs, NY 12866.
Mon nouveau contact est le (518) 698-3711.
Atelier ouvert du jeudi au dimanche ou sur rendez-vous.
Get in Touch
Contact
Francelise Art Studios
- Studio Address
- 79 Beekman St., Saratoga Springs, NY, 12866
- Mailing Address
- P.O. Box 3516, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866
- Cell Number
- (518) 698-3711
- Hours
- Thursday through Sunday, or by appointment
Francelise Art Studios is located in the Arts District of Saratoga Springs, NY — a welcoming space for collage work, French classes, and creative writing sessions.