Regina Durante Jestrow
Miami, FL
Website
reginajestrow.com
Social Media
Instagram
How would you describe your work?
My artistic exploration is deeply rooted in women's rights and history, combined with a deep appreciation for the geometric patterns and stories drawn from the enduring traditions of American quilt-making. My art quilts feature a fusion of new and second-hand fabrics, including hand-dyed and manipulated textiles, through various techniques, including natural and reactive dyes, inks, staining, and controlled burning. The resulting pieces reflect the colors and geometric patterns that evoke Miami's dynamic cultural diversity and landscape. My affinity for textile arts pushes the boundaries of the medium, resulting in a diverse body of work that includes painting, drawings, sculptural installations, textile wall hangings, and functional objects.
What inspires you?
So many things inspire me. I have a library of books that include quilt patterns, women abstract artists, and fiber art exhibition catalogs. The Miami landscape and culture, with all its colors, textures, Art Deco, and brutalist architecture, are big influences on my work. And, of course, going to the thrift shops here always sparks a new idea for a piece.
Can you describe your process?
Each piece starts with a story or a specific fabric in mind. When pieces start with a story, usually something is going on politically, like women's health rights, DEI education, or racism. Those topics influence the colors and materials used in pieces. I'm working on a piece using graduation gowns to mourn the situation in the Florida education system with the book bans and DEI classes being canceled. The pieces that begin with a fabric in mind are much more light-hearted, but I still use thrifted, gifted, and repurposed fabrics to try to reduce my carbon footprint and minimize textile waste. I tend to make small sketches first and medium-sized pieces to figure out patterns and colors before I create larger works.
How did you become interested in art?
My artistic journey began as a kid as I learned sewing and crocheting from my mother, igniting a passion that would become a lifelong force. This connection to Fiber arts is the bedrock of my artistic practice. Relocating to Miami allowed me to delve into quilting. This became a source of solace and creative expression. In my Miami home studio, the sewing machine, a symbol of comfort and creativity, continued taking center stage.
Do you have any favorite artists, movies, books, or quotes?
My artistic journey is guided by a profound appreciation for American folk art quilts and a deep admiration for geometric-abstract artists from the mid to late twentieth century. Visionaries like the Gees Bend quilters, Elizabeth Murray, Helen Frankenthaler, Annie Albers, and Gego have left an indelible mark on my creative perspective. Their influences have been powerful motivators, driving me to produce quilts with significant personal symbolism and weaving intricate narratives within their patterns.
What advice do you have for younger artists?
Stick to what you love and what motivates you. Stay clear of trends because, eventually, trends change and will head your way.
Any more thoughts about art, creativity, or anything else you would like to share?
I just started teaching workshops in my home studio. I host a reactive ide dyeing workshop for 4-6 people at a time, and it's about a day and a half. I will supply all the materials and demos, and participants will learn safety and dyeing techniques. I recently joined VAWAA and will teach one-on-one art quilting and dyeing workshops. Individuals get to work with me in my home studio for four days to use natural and reactive dyes, source materials from local thrift shops, and create their own art quilts.
