Sunday, June 17, 2007

Back in the studio after wonderful NC trip




I'm back to the studio (almost) and have taken many photographs in Noel & Patrick's paradise in the mountains of western NC. During the 10 days away I also completed one 6" x 9" tapestry, began a tiny one, did five small watercolor sketches, and one larger watercolor.

As I think back through the years, most of my images, either woven or painted, have been based on inspiration I've gained through experiencing the beauty of the 150+ acres of property near Sapphire, NC that Noel and Patrick own. I feel fortunate to be able to reap the visual harvest of all their hard work in organic gardening. Then there's also the surrounding lush forest and waterfalls, the pond and waterlilies, the heath and heather gardens--not to even mention the photogenic animals! It's such a treat to have a personalized artist's retreat such as this and wonderful, supportive friends who share it with me.

Saturday, June 2, 2007

Tapestry Weavers South weaving cut off today!



I'm happy to say that that I was able to finish the last of the TWS collaborative tapestry today and cut it off the loom! Janet Hart will finish the slit sewing and maybe stitch back weft ends. I just posted the photo to the members who exhibited in "Southern Yarns" and essentially turned it over to them now...to make decisions about bottom finish and for someone to do it. It's been a great learning experience for me to work in this way...only attending to small sections at a time, having no pre-conceived plan, using what wefts are available from my assorted thrums.

The tapestry, as I looked at it today, reminded me of a tapestry I saw in a dream about twenty years ago...it was multicolored, many shaped, and (in the dream) was so beautiful. The dream, along with several other events of my life at that time, convinced me I needed to turn to tapestry weaving in a serious way and either learn to do it or to shut up about wanting to weave tapestry! I'm still learning but am not sorry I listened to whatever I was hearing inside my head and heart to tell me to "put up or shut up!"