What is Tapestry?

Well that was a wonderful Saturday last weekend. It didn't even matter that it was 94 degrees (thank you, there was a box AC unit in the window) , I was among like minded people making stuff. More and more I believe 'making stuff' might be the key to something anyway; those of us who work with our hands are the lucky ones.
But I digress.

Entrance to the Arts Center

Last Saturday I was back at Shake Rag Alley Center for the Arts in the old (for WI) restored mining town of Mineral Point, southwest of Madison. Five eager weavers spent the day with me discovering what tapestry could do, four had never woven before.

The Potter's Barn

This is such a special place to spend a day in, complete with gardens, walking down paths from another time long gone. We worked together in a building called The Potter's Barn creating process driven landscapes, each very individual; start the piece, see where it takes you. Throughout this experience I tried to show my new friends what tapestry language was all about and if they choose to do it again, there's a whole wide world out there.

I realized at the end of the day I had no photos of their work (fire the photographer)! However this day was more about the experience of making and the discovery of possibilities, so I'm okay without the documentation.

If you ever get a chance to be in Mineral Point stop by and enjoy the view, walk around and take a class at the Arts Center.
Be good to yourself.
Make stuff.

Time for Dyeing!

Yes indeed the Summer 2016 dyeing season is in full swing. Porkchop remains unsure whether this is a good or bad thing.

I'm using my favorite approach, gradations. I love seeing the little skeins hanging in a row on my metal rod.

 After that comes the exhaust baths. These light colors can be so subtle and surprising. I have some light grey Norsk yarn coming from Sidsel any day now and I love to save that for the dye exhaust. So much fun ahead.

The great magazine Fiberart Now published a variety of studios in their latest issue so I figure I need to share a full view of my dyeing studio, my little corner of the garage. It seems to suit me.

Next week I teach a day class at Shake Rag Alley in Mineral Point called Tapestry Sunsets, today I dyed our treasures.

Yes I know....I'm a lucky person.

Ladies in the Garden

I'm so glad I read an article somewhere a few years ago that talked about the trendiness of taking photos in unpolished settings. Instead of a precise studio setup these objects in the magazine were in all sorts of weird locations. I promptly took my loom out to the yard and the title of my blog was born.

So here is a very tiny lady (the warp is only about 1 1/4 inches wide). She appeared today, in fact she posed for the summer plein air painter.

Don't ask me why I do this. I want to make this guy a little VISA sign, see if he can up his sales.

It was hot today, so later I found her cooling off in the iris.

She's a super tiny t...

Another piece I took to a show in town, so before I left I put her in the yard too. I know it's not right for everything, but it feels so liberating.

Embossed, Stamped, and Burnished , 10 x 20 inches, painted background

Happy Summer!