Vancouver native Janice Arnold knows artistry when she sees it — and she sees it in a lot of surprising places.
It goes beyond her own realm as an acclaimed textile artist who can turn wool and silk into fairy-tale environments.
Arnold’s creativity was displayed recently in New York City, where her 20-foot-tall version of a Mongolian ceremonial yurt highlighted an exhibition of felt art.
Her installation also attracted the attention of Martha Stewart. Arnold was invited onto an episode of the design diva’s nationally syndicated television show.
That invitation came after a crushing schedule of 20-hour days, compounded by problems setting up the yurt in the museum.
“That added to my fatigue leading up to the Martha Stewart show,” Arnold said.
But Arnold and curator Susan Brown of the Cooper-Hewitt Museum, which is affiliated with the Smithsonian Institution, enjoyed the opportunity to watch another artist at work.
After breakfast at Stewart’s Manhattan studio, “Hair and makeup lasted 45 minutes. Then they ushered us into the front row,” Arnold said.
“I’d never been on a television set like that. It was riotous,” the former Fort Vancouver High School and Clark College student said. “People were excited about being at the show. There were moving cameras, three or four kitchens.
“Martha Stewart has nerves of steel to remain so calm and composed. I was in awe of that orchestration,” Arnold said.
Face value
The Cooper-Hewitt Museum doesn’t get much national TV exposure, Arnold said. So, the staff seemed to enjoy the attention and had some nice words for Arnold.
“I went back to the museum. In the coffee shop, the director said, ‘You looked so relaxed.’”
That didn’t fit with the tough work schedule Arnold had put herself through.
Arnold thought about that 45-minute makeup session before she went on camera, and recognized the artistry involved — even if she hadn’t been looking at it.
“So calm and relaxed? I realized that all the layers of makeup on my face were hiding the bags under my eyes,” Arnold said.
“They did a good job in covering up all the fatigue lines.”
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