Artist Profile: Melinda Schertenlieb

Fiber artist Melinda Schertenlieb has lived in the West Michigan area for 45 years and says she has enjoyed the ACWL-Nuveen Center because of its diverse gallery and ACWL-Nuveen’s commitment to offering a variety of creative opportunities for community members of all ages.

She was invited to become an Artist Member three years ago after answering the Gallery Committee's call for artists. The Committee was impressed with the quality and variety of her fiber art. The fiber work that Melinda displays and sells in the retail gallery ranges from custom felt purses and her signature felt flower pins to handbound eco-printed journals and baskets.

Melinda states that she has gained her impeccable skills by taking both online and in-person workshops in felting, eco-printing, and bookbinding. The felt artists who she admires and is inspired by are Pamela MacGregor https://www.tarveycottagestudio.com/ and Fiona Duthie- https://www.fionaduthie.com/. Both artists are leaders in their medium and love exploring and sharing new felting techniques.

What makes Melinda’s work appealing to customers is her obvious love of nature and how she interprets it through her choice of organic colors, shapes, and textures. Also, a standout for customers is her beautiful eco-printing which she has gained mastery of by a lot of experimentation. She now feels she has a much better grasp on the chemistry of the process and understands how to print boldly on both paper and cloth.

Melinda has shared her fiber knowledge in popular classes that she has taught for the ACWL-Nuveen. She has taught workshops on felted flower pins, bookbinding techniques, felted scarves, and we are hoping to talk her into teaching an eco-printing class in the fall – stay tuned!