Darlene Marwitz incorporated weaving and textile courses in a studio arts program at the University of Houston. Two graduate degrees followed from the School of Architecture at The University of Texas at Austin. Marwitz worked on major historic preservation projects and oversaw the research, design, and reproduction of numerous period textiles. A move to Far West Texas prompted a shift to full-time studio work as a mixed-media artist, most often combining textiles and paper with acrylics. The high desert landscape that surrounds Marfa is evident in Marwitz’s work. Artist Statement"For me, mixed media represents the intersection of textiles, painting, and collage. For landscapes, I find inspiration in the open expanses and distant mountains of Far West Texas. There’s a spareness and bristle to the raw beauty surrounding Marfa’s high desert plateau. "My studio techniques are layered across many mediums and developed through trial and error. I enjoy the complexity and back-and-forth innovation possible in merging unexpected materials: cloth, thread, paper, acrylic, and board. "I’ve always worked with my hands and enjoy the progression of building, layering, and exploring new boundaries. I appreciate how a design builds over time and value the tactility of textiles and the pliability of paper. My work stems from a diverse background in art, architecture, painting, fiber arts, sewing, and textile production through historic preservation projects. "Cloth and paper are malleable and versatile, so piecing and layering fragments and strips together makes sense to me. I grew up sleeping under a handmade quilt made from the scraps of my mother’s childhood dresses—that quilt told a story. My art tells stories, too." —Darlene Marwitz