Tuesday, December 30, 2008

To design a tapestry...

In this coming week many new things will happen in my life. Not that breaking up with my partner, quitting my job, and moving back to NM weren't enough... But the new things this week start with an apprenticeship in Santa Fe with my mentor James Koehler.

I have been alternately struggling and sitting with some tapestry designs for the last couple weeks. I am not always patient with the process of designing a new piece. I find that if I do give myself time to let a design roll around in my head a little and then play with it on paper for a day or a week or a few months, the result is much better. When I just get excited about the first thing I draw and put it on the loom, I'm often disappointed by the results. I've been working on a design for this tapestry and it has changed a lot in the last few weeks--even in the last few hours. But it still isn't gelling into something I want to spend a few months weaving in a public studio situation. So more time is needed.

The design as it stands now is inspired by the rock formations of NM and the petroglyphs I find myself living among. And as always, it is informed by a healthy dose of questioning about how we all ended up here and for what purpose. This photo was taken in the South San Juan mountains of Colorado last summer. Now I could take the same photo with the South Sangre de Cristos as my view. Either way, I gain inspiration and grounding from the amazing things I see just out my window.

I'll keep working on that tapestry design... and I'll let you know how it turns out one of these days.

4 comments:

  1. Hello Rebecca,
    I just discovered your blog through noticing you were following mine! I can certainly empathize with the design struggle you've mentioned in the post. I go through it myself, over and over and over and ... well, you get the picture!
    I'll enjoy seeing and reading about your work with James Koehler. Happy weaving to you!
    Tommye

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  2. Hi Rebecca. I must say that I really enjoyed your work eventhough I am always in search of different textures regardless the origin( natural or whatever) Your work is beautiful I Loved the green one with 3 vertical sort of lines.....it is just beautiful!I see that you love nature as much as I, so if you ever want to come to Canada to explore new landscapes and natural images you are always welcome to my house/studio. I have a room for guests and it is right behind the tapestry studio....it would be lovely to share your experiences..I live in Oakville with my husband and 2 wonderful kids. They sometimes help me in the weaving or just listening to music while I weave.
    I'm glad I found a tapestry blog!

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  3. Hi, Rebecca- can't say that I'm surprised you turned out to be a textile artist- you always were crafty with yarn. I found Laura on Facebook and tracked you, here! I like your work, beautiful, clean, warm...
    blessings!
    Tori (Whitehead) Maurer
    http://BarefootTori.com

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  4. Do you have e-mail? I'd love to keep in touch- I enjoyed your website and your blog. I dipped into weaving a teensy bit while in college by teaching "Weaving" at a summer-camp one year (my camp name was Dreamer. Go ahead. Laugh.). The looms were ancient and no one was there to show me, so I just figured it out (and read lots of books). I'd love to get my hands on a real loom, someday.
    Anyway- If you'd ever like to order some Barefoot Books come find me at BarefootTori.com. I'd love to offer you my "occupation therapist" discount. :)
    blessings! torimaurer@gmail.com

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