about barbara zaretsky

I’ve always been fascinated with design and the influence it has on our culture. Inspired by the things around me—color, movement, negative space, light and nature—I am moved to create art and functional textiles for everyday use. Design can enhance our lives in subtle yet powerful ways—from expressing who we are to communicating emotion.

My work is influenced by the natural world. I strive to express the inner life or energy of an object and arrange elements to create a sense of space. This aesthetic is defined as much by what is left out as by what is included. The inherent nature of working with natural materials encourages the acceptance of imperfection and randomness. This process of letting go has changed the way I think and work and as a result my approach to designing pattern. I believe that thoughtful, responsible design can help transform the way we view the objects in our lives and enhance the way we live.

works on paper

My work on paper incorporates geometric elements, color and line to express a visual thought or story. Though having worked on paper throughout my career, for the last 15 years I’ve focused mainly on textile design. The opportunity to revisit the immediacy of working on paper has renewed my appreciation for direct application. However, creating on both fabric and paper, offers a visual fluidity across these mediums and a unique way of seeing and applying color.

textiles

“Barbara creates handcrafted decorative textiles for home and wardrobe. Her plant-based dyes impart a distinctive earthy palette, yet her motifs veer toward the modern. The unexpected blend of the two influences is a hallmark of her approach, which equally honors graphic geometry and fluid, imprecise edges”. — Susan Harkhavy

Each hand dyed textile is one of a kind. I begin with washing and mordanting fabric. The material is then dyed two to three times with plant dyes, incorporating a clamp-resist (shibori) technique to create pattern. The fabric is then hand block printed and/or hand stitched to add another layer of surface design. The final product is completed with hand or machine stitching.

I believe an object has more meaning when the owner understands the connection to the way it was made and values the process. With each piece created I aspire to bring beauty and harmony into people’s lives, but also to advocate for the sustainable use of our planet’s resources.

bio

Barbara Zaretsky is a textile artist, painter, and founder and former director of Cloth Fiber Workshop, a textile arts learning center. Originally from the Chicago area, she studied art and textile design at Northern Illinois University and the Art Institute of Chicago, and Art History at the University of Illinois, continuing her education at Penland School of Crafts. Barbara has many pieces in private collections across the U.S. and abroad and her work has appeared in magazines and newspapers, both national and regional, and in trade publications and blogs. Rooted in the aesthetics of simplicity and intentionality, BZDesign began in Chicago in 1980, and is now located in Asheville, NC.

studio

Open by appointment. Call, text or email for more information regarding inventory, custom orders or to schedule a studio visit. You may also purchase items directly from this website via the “shop” menu option above.

reviews

“Barbara’s designs are beautiful, subtle, elegant, colorful and peaceful. Her studio is a visual pleasure with a calm atmosphere. She’s great at explaining and showing her process to create these lovely fabrics. I could not recommend more highly a visit to her studio!!! Lovely and interesting!” —Susan M.

”We are very happy with the colors and geometric patterns in Barbara Zaretsky's pillows. They are the perfect accent for our living room and compliment the colorful Clemmer painting above the sofa”.—The Barnett's

”Barbara finds the most exquisite fabric for her craft and is meticulous in her attention to detail. Her work is a significant piece of art in our home”. — Julie K.

”Barbara provided her pillows and chair fabric choices for a modern home I built recently. Her pieces are distinctive and the craftsmanship is excellent. Her working style is very collaborative, gathering info on what the client wants onsite before she makes recommendations. I would highly recommend her work for any of your interior design needs”. —T. H.