Martha S. Heimbaugh

Artist with Old Yeller

Biography

Like many other artists, Martha's career development has had many twists and turns over the years.  Martha's fascination with fabric began at an early age when she started sewing doll clothes from scraps of fabric her mother let her play with.  Throughout her childhood and development years, her art was simply taken for granted.  When the time came to declare a major in college, Martha chose to further pursue her love of science and sought a degree in engineering.  After receiving a Bachelor of Science Degree in Civil Engineering from Kansas State University, Martha focused her energies on building a career in research and her artwork became practically nonexistent.  For several years she worked as a Coastal Engineering Research Scientist.  But, as the years progressed, her life became very unbalanced.  She continued working, moving back to Kansas and working as a Cost Engineer.  Things remained unbalanced and she finally made a life altering decision to quit her "real job" and rededicate herself to her family and her art.

Today, Martha's fascination with fabric continues.  Whether she is painting, piecing, quilting, or sculpting, fabric is still her baseline medium.  From that simple beginning of fabric scraps on the floor, her work today continually pushes the envelope of what is acceptable in the realm of fine art and craft.  Her unique, award winning, contemporary three-dimensional wall hangings have drawn international attention.  And, her two-dimensional fabric paintings with detailed quilting lines continue to please and inspire a diverse audience.  Her new line of three-dimensional patterns is serving to expand the audience that Martha can now reach and connect with.

Martha's work in two and three dimensions hangs in private, educational, museum, and corporate collections in the Midwestern and Western United States and private collections in Japan.  Her work has been juried into national and international shows and has appeared in national and regional publications.  Known for her use of color and her unique and creative uses of the medium, her work has won several awards.  Martha has made a lifetime commitment to her work and to the growth and development of her art.  As time passes, her passion and belief in the importance of what she is accomplishing, continues to grow and expand.  Finally, Martha's dedication to engaging creativity and craftsmanship in all her works has established a lasting legacy.