Phyllis Packard

Phyllis is a fiber artist utilizing multiple fiber techniques to create 2D images of land and sky scape.

"I grew up by in New England - ocean and mountains and forest were my life.  After completing my BFA at Syracuse University in NY, I traveled to South Dakota in 1968 where I was horrified by the space, sky, and no trees. It took a while for the prairie to take hold of my imagination and spirit. Early days in SD, I taught Fiber Art at USD Fine Art Dept. and worked with Upward Bound on all of SD reservations.  I learned there is so much more to SD than space.   I also taught at Yankton College as 1/2 of the art Dept and studied and received an MPA from USD.  I then began a second hustle in Environmental Planning which eventually led to being hired by City of Vermillion as Solid Waste Director 1994 - 2010 and service the recycling and waste disposal for south eastern SD.  I am now retired and working full time on fiber arts and staying alive."

My work echoes what I see or what I feel about what I see.  My imagery is often the Missouri River Valley, the prairie landscape of South Dakota, and/or the splendor of our sky.  As a weaver the process is slow and meticulous - often taking 4 to 8 months to complete -and I search to provide images that appear light and easy. Recently I have been experimenting with needle felt process which is a way more immediate production and easily relates to the water color painting I use as sketches for much of my work.