Genevieve Lavalle

5/3/2023

Art takes many forms. From oil paintings to charcoal drawings, to sculptures and statues. Art made from fabrics and textiles gives more depth — something you can touch.

That’s what fiber and textile artist Genevieve Lavalle loves most about her artwork. 

Lavalle is located at Mainframe Studios. Her craft consists of various fabrics and textiles, using different methods to create her artwork. For example, her tapestry uses a rug hook and punch needle or a tufting gun, which punches yarn in and out of the fabric. It may look like a rug, but she refers to it as a tapestry or rug art.

“Rugs — it sounds too informal. I don’t walk on my artwork,” she says.

Lavalle doesn’t always create a set design. 

“I can do anything simple. I like the slow process of intricate work. You can simplify as much as you want or get experimental,” she says.

She grew up as a youth drawing and also witnessed her parents’ entrepreneurial endeavors in the restaurant industry. In college, Lavalle took a weaving class and learned how to make pom poms and tapestry, which “snowballed” into other mediums.

Several years ago, Lavalle experimented with fabrics, posting ideas on her Instagram page (lavalle_studio). During the pandemic, she says her Instagram page “blew up,” attracting more than 14,000 followers. She uses Instagram as a business tool and an inspiration page to show products. 

“It wasn’t a goal. It just happened,” she explains. “Just because you have followers, it doesn’t mean you’re successful. More followers doesn’t equal sales.”

Lavalle moved into Mainframe in 2021, sharing the studio with two other artists. 

“Moving into the studio makes my work more legit,” she says.

Lavalle likes how she can incorporate splashes of color into her artwork. A collection of a silhouette of Venus de Milo yielded 24 different colors. 

“I like how the texture is. It’s not stuck behind a glass, and it’s super approachable,” she explains. 

Her passion is using donated or repurposed yarn and other fabrics. 

“I found inspiration through repurposing and turning it into something else.”

Friends whose grandmas have passed away have donated yarn to Lavalle. 

“It’s cool to give it a second life. Materials used to be higher quality back then. It’s more meaningful to me than buying something brand new,” she reflects.

Lavalle hopes to take that aspect of her art and turn it into a non-profit business venture.

“I’d like to open up a donation store that’s not Michaels or JoAnne’s with thrifted art supplies. So many families and kids waste and throw away art supplies. A lot of materials can be reused and repurposed. The lower cost means people could afford art supplies.” 

The most challenging part of her artistry is ignoring any self doubt that creeps in. 

“You’re completely working for yourself. To be an artist, you need to be vulnerable and show parts of yourself,” she says. “But that’s also the best part — sharing myself and my work with others.” ♦