About
Artist Statement
My work reflects the love I have for the country side and nature. My early work was influenced by the English country side, the gentle rolling hills of the Sussex downs where I grew up and colorful English Gardens. Now that I live in Upstate New York,the local landscapes and colors of the changing seasons provide me with constant and new inspirations. The sunlight of a spring day, casting long shadows, the bright golds and reds of the fall on a sunny day or the misty grey sky of a rainy day.
I enjoy interpreting the intricate details of grasses and flowers into stitchery as thread and stitch imitate these details so well.
At times I enjoy the challenge of rendering the landscape in a literal way, and there are other times that I prefer to work in a more light hearted way, playing with the design of the scene and creating more whimsical and colorful pieces.
Background
I’ve always had a fascination with creating on fabric. As a child growing up in England, I spent weekends and summer vacations visiting my grandmother, who was a milliner and a dress designer. Her studio was in her home by the sea in a small village on the English Channel, and I remember watching her as she molded and created hats, in her own original patterns.
After spending several years as a nurse, I began my formal training in art. I spent a year at Mansfield College of Art, where I took a foundation course, and then graduated from Loughborough University in Leicestershire with a bachelor’s degree textile design with an emphasis on embroidery.
After moving to the United States with my husband in the early 1980s, I began to experiment with fabric, paints, and thread to create small landscapes. Soon, I began to use threads as other artists use paint. My inspirations have been the landscapes of England and my present home in the Finger Lakes region of upstate New York. As I learned, I began to add dimension to my work, as shown in the whimsical window scenes (See three dimensional work on the gallery page). My series of bunny designs began with requests for children’s pieces. As you can see, I also have a great affection for rabbits!
For 20 years now, I have sold my work at craft shows and galleries and taught workshops throughout the United States and Canada. I have enjoyed the enthusiasm of my students and have gained much from them in the process of teaching – as much as I hope they have gained from me.
Memberships
Handweavers Guild of America, Inc.
Surface Design Association
Fiber Arts & Mixed Media
http://www.fibermixedmedia.com
Weavers’ Guild of Rochester
http://www.weaversguildofrochester.org
Educational Background
Graduate Course work Nazareth College 2000
LOUGHBOROUGH UNIVERSITY, Leicestershire, England
Bachelor of Fine Arts in Textile Design, 1981
Loughborough University is one of six colleges that specializes in embroidery.
THESIS : Revival of Artistic Embroidery in the 19th Century, focusing upon the Victorian Women in the Arts and Crafts Movement led by William Morris.
Professional Experience
EVE’S GARDENS,™ Rochester, NY and Brighton, England
Artist and Founder
Beginning with a One Woman Exhibit at Amherst Museum, launched a business as an artist and designer in fiber art involving extensive participation in museum exhibits, juried art festivals, trade shows, school demonstrations, workshop presentations, and regional art shows. Sells work through galleries, gift stores, and through commissions. Collaborated with another artist who painted Eve’s Gardens™ designs on children’s bedroom furniture.
Leonardos Box, Rochester, NY Artist/ Co owner 1994-1996
co-op gallery of local artists.
Awards
-2013 : Merit Award, Clothesline Arts Festival, Rochester, NY
-2013 : Award of Distinction, Arts in the Gardens, Canandaigua, NY
-2009 : Best Of Show Cornhill Arts Festival, Rochester, NY
– 2008: Best in Show, Arts in the Gardens, Canandaigua, NY
– 2006: Best Of Show in Category, Cornhill Arts Festival, Rochester, NY
– 1999: Best of Show in Category, Syracuse Art Festival, Syracuse, NY
– 1999: Best of Show in Category, Boston Mills Art Show, Boston Mills, OH
– 1996: Juror for 100 American Craftsmen Show, Lockport, NY
– 1996: First Place in Category, Park Avenue Show, Rochester, NY
– 1996: Best of Show, Park Avenue Show, Rochester, NY
– 1995: Master Craftsmen Award, 100 American Craftsmen Show, Lockport, NY
– 1993: Special Jurors Commendations Award, Gallery Ten, Rockford, IL
– 1992: Second Place, Park Avenue Show, Rochester, NY
– 1991: First Place, Colden Valley Art Show, Buffalo, NY
– 1989: Best of Show, 100 American Craftsmen Show, Lockport, NY
– 1988: Best of Show, Rochester Fine Craft Show, Rochester, NY
– 1986: First Place in Category, Allentown Show, Buffalo, NY
– 1986: Merit Award, Clothesline Arts Festival, Rochester, NY
– 1985: First Place, Orchard Park Arts Festival, Buffalo, NY
– 1984: Merit Award, Cornhill Arts and Crafts Festival, Rochester, NY
– 1984: Merit Award, Herkimer College, Herkimer, NY
Exhibits
2015: Fibers & Threads – Wrap It Up. Wausau, WI.
2013: Material Girls Four Person Show. Arts Center of Yates County.
2011: For the Love of Fiber, Arts & Cultural Council for Greater Rochester Weavers Guild of Rochester, Rochester, NY
2011: Fanciful Fibers, Sponsored by the Gallery Council of the Memorial Art Gallery (in conjunction with Fiber International), Rochester, NY
2001: One Person Show, Sailors Valentine Gallery, Nantucket, MA
1996: Three Person Show, 1570 Gallery on East Avenue, Rochester, NY
1993: Botanics, Gallery Ten, Recipient, Special Commendation Award, Rockford, IL
1990: Group Exhibit, 15 Local Artists, Nan Miller Gallery, Rochester, NY
1989: One Woman Exhibit, Capen Hall, University of Buffalo, Buffalo, NY
1984: Featured in Hartwick Museum Exhibition, Textile Form and Style, Oneonta, NY
1983: One Woman Show, Amherst Museum, The Revival of Artistic Embroidery, Amherst, NY
Features and Articles
2011: Featured in the Democrat & Chronicle, Eve Botelho – Autumn Drive
1999: Messenger-Post Publications, Sew Perfect by Marcia Morphy
1997: Featured Artist, WXXI Auction Video
1996: Wolf Publications, 100 American Craftsmen by Linda Quinlan
1995: City Newspaper [11/29], Artist Draw Together by Ron Netsky
1992: Work featured in a book, entitled Vow of Love by Andrews and McNeil
1992: Featured in the Democrat & Chronicle, The Business of Doing Art by Deborah Fineblum Raub
1991: Wolf Publications, A Stitch in Time Turns into Fine Artwork at Hands of Botelho
1991: Featured Photo of Botelho work in Victorian Magazine [April Issue]
1990: D&C article: Nan Miller Show Exposes Some of Rochester’s Finest by Heidi Lux
1983: Featured in Democrat & Chronicle Events and Openings
Special Awards & Features
HERKIMER COLLEGE, Purchase of “The 17th Century English Garden” for their permanent collection.
A BABY’S SECRET GARDEN CARD COMPANY commissioned their logo to be done in fiber which was subsequently made into a promotional card.
evebotelho.com 