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Fairbrook states, “In my work, I strive for changing white fabric into an image that is alive, colorful and portrays spirit.” Growing up by the ocean in Ireland, surrounded by the wondrous colors of nature, and the influence of her father’s love of the Mexican/Southwestern architecture have inspired her color sensibility.
In her early years, Fairbrook describes most of the faces around her as Caucasian, but her family also had a strong connection with Africa. Raymond, her brother, was a missionary in Biafra, and during the devastating wars in that country, African students lived in her home and became part of the extended family.
The family raised money for food and medical supplies, and collected clothes to aid the victims of war. Meanwhile, African guests came and went, leaving the wonderful colors of their clothes in her young mind.
Enthusiastically, in recent years, she has brought the art form of working with textiles back to her California studio. Her work with fabric and dyes has been incorporated into a five-step process: dying white fabric, silk screening, creating the images, appliquéing, and quilting and/or binding the finished piece.