TWO SMALL TEXTILE MIXED-MEDIA ABSTRACTS, TAPESTRY WEAVING BOOK

"Center Lines"  9 X 13, Lori LaBerge  2014

Work was completed on "Center Lines".  The idea behind this piece was the no passing and passing when safe lines on roadways.  A turquoise blue was used for a solid line and painted washers for a broken line.  This will be part of a six piece grouping of 9 X 13 works. The grays against the orange/yellow mix are a great color combination.  The darker grays make the orange/yellow really pop.

Here you can see the ragged look of the upholstery against the smoothness of the metal pieces.  There is rough, smooth, hard and soft combined.  It is nice to combine various textures, but there is a need to not overdo it.

The above sketch was developed from overpasses on the roadway.  The original plan was to place three washers on the top horizontal section.  I usually place a check mark by the side of drawings in my sketchbook that I would like to use to develop a piece.

"Overpass"  9 x 13, Lori LaBerge  2014

The final work deviated from the sketch as the three washers planned for the upper section made the piece look top heavy and drew the eye away from the brown curves.  I opted for gray lines, the same as the gray at the bottom of the work, through the blue and attached a large washer at the intersection of the curves.  The bottom medium gray and three lighter grays were used.  In keeping with the textured look of the group this piece will go with, upholstery fabric was used in both of the brown sections.

I received a book I had ordered on tapestry weaving this week.  "Tapestry Weaving: Design and Technique is by Joanne Soroka.  I have glanced through the book and have just started reading it.  So far, the instructions seem to be fairly clear.  There are techniques shown for creating various shapes and textures along with design ideas. The photos are beautiful with a section on contemporary tapestry weavers.  There is also information on suppliers and organizations at the end of the book.  I am hoping to take some time this winter to have an at home mini-workshop for myself and experiment with weaving on a small tapestry loom.

It is always good to have something to look forward to.  Plan ahead for your own mini-workshop on a fiber technique you would like to learn and have a great day.

TRAC GALLERY: EDWINA BRINGLE RETROSPECTIVE EXHIBIT

I was excited to see a textile show on exhibit at the Toe River Arts Gallery in Spruce Pine, NC.  A selection of Edwina Bringle's woven and embroidered works from 1963 to 2014 is presented in a well-organized display. 

I first met Edwina when I began taking classes at Penland.  She is a well-informed and creative textile artist and UNC-Charlotte professor emerita who adds to the feeling of welcome for those new to the Penland experience.  Please enjoy this look at her works and if you are in the area make a stop at the gallery.

It is a great feeling to live in an area so full of talent, sharing and love for the arts.  Enjoy what your area has to offer and have a great day.

RUGS: A NIGHT ON THE TOWN

Since I've been working hard getting ready for the Carolina Designer Craftsmen Show in Raleigh over Thanksgiving weekend, I decided to take a few breaks this week.  In addition to a town revitalization meeting and a visit from my aunt and uncle, I received an invitation from friends Laurey Masterton and Alicia Keshishian.  Alicia was in town giving a presentation on her rugs at Laurey's restaurant in Asheville. 

Those who know me know if rugs are around, I want to be there.  For those who could not attend, here are some photos of a wonderful evening.

 When I saw this rug hanging up, I recognized it right away.  It is gorgeous and was purchased by Laurey when Alicia had it on display in the Penland Gallery in Penland, N.C.  You can see the depth it has when light hits it.

 The two samples above have beautiful shades of red in them with one minimalistic and one full of color. 

A closer look at one of the samples in the previous photo.  Alicia is a color expert and it shows in the way she puts various hues together.  This design makes me want to dance.

This piece, draped over a tabletop, garnered plenty of attention.  It was woven using bamboo silk giving it a luxurious feel both visually and to the touch.  Very rich looking.  Yum!

Samples with a touch of silk to add sheen.  I feel a great sense of movement in the left piece and a sense of peacefulness in the right sample.  A great example of how important design is and how rugs can bring a certain feeling to the room they are in.

  A closer look at one of the above rug samples.  I love the calming background color with the wicked bright line through it.

Those who attended had the opportunity to learn about the dyeing and weaving process during a slide show presentation.

A table with articles about Alicia and her rugs.  Color, color, color!

More socializing after the presentation. 

Alicia discussing rugs with one of many interested attendees.

A few of the many great treats Laurey had out for us.  Needless to say, I had to have more than one! 

Look out for events happening in your area and have a great day. 

TEXTILES IN SCOTLAND: LOOKING AND BUYING

Inveraray Castle, Scotland

One of our stops in Scotland was Inveraray Castle, the home of the 13th Duke of Argyll and his family.  Work on the castle began around 1746 and took 43 years to complete.  The home and gardens are immaculate and much history is found throughout.  I was excited by the many tapestries seen throughout our tour and delighted to find weavings by Louise Oppenheimer in the castle gift shop.  There were quite a few of her works and it took some thinking over lunch to decide which I would bring home with me.

  This is the piece I decided to purchase.  By Louise Oppenheimer.  I just love the feel of the blues, golds and greens against the red background along with the movement created.  It is now at home in our living room.

Close-up of work. (Louise Oppenheimer)

We traveled to more than a few woolen mills. Each town seemed to have its own shops for selling wool products.

Power loom with work in progress.

Information about power looms.  I only wish I could hook that fast!

Samples of fabrics woven at the mill.

Wool samples from mill.

  You don't go too far in Scotland without seeing fields full of sheep.  These were hiding out behind the mill.

  This weaving tool was on display and had been found on the grounds of one of the many castles we visited.

I had to have this shawl when I spotted it.  I love the colors and texture and plan to use it as a wall hanging.

A closer look at the couching used on the shawl.

I will close the posts on Scotland with this guy.  I thought highlanders would be everywhere.  As they were rarely seen during our travels, I took photos at every opportunity.

This trip really gave me the chance to think about the history of textiles, from tapestries in castles to clothing in woolen mills.  Find some time to think about the history of your work or hobby and have a great day.

BACK FROM SCOTLAND, STIRLING CASTLE

I would like to thank Kami for taking over the blog while my husband and I were in Scotland.  I loved the color from Southern California and have chosen a logo for the website update I am working on.

Myself inside Stirling Castle, note the short door height on left and thick wall where the window is.

There was so much to see.  Scotland is truly a beautiful country.  We had a chance to take in both the cites and the countryside.  Our first stop was at Stirling Castle where Mary Queen of Scots was crowned at a little less than one year of age.  Later her son would be baptized there and placed in the royal nursery.

"The Hunt of the Unicorn" at Stirling Castle.

Stirling was a must-see on my list not just because of its history but as weavers are currently working on creating copies of the Unicorn Tapestries there.  Researchers found an inventory list from 1539 that mentioned two copies of Unicorn Tapestries. This information led to the project of recreating them as the originals are in the Cloisters Museum in New York.

"The Start of the Hunt"

The work on the tapestries is a collaboration between West Dean College and Historic Scotland.  It takes a labor-intensive two to four years to complete each tapestry with three weavers working at a time.  When we arrived they were working on the next to last work.  The series is to be completed in 2013.  Unfortunately, no photos were allowed in the weaving room.  Below are more textile photos from our tour of Stirling.

"The Unicorn in Captivity"

"The Unicorn is Killed and Brought to the Castle"

The Queen's (Mary of Guise) bedroom was surrounded by elaborate fabrics of silk and brocaded gold.

The Queen's bedroom.  Persian carpet covering table and royal arms on cloth of estate above table.

Close-up of velvet, silk and fringe on canopy above bed.

Close-up of curtain bottom in castle.  Beautiful combination of color, pattern and texture.

Display of clothing of the period.  This was in the children's education area which had a closet of clothing styles of the period for children to play dress-up with.

There were cloth and dye rooms where children ( I played too!) could hit buttons to find where certain fabrics and dyes of the period came from.

I hope you enjoyed this textile tour through Stirling Castle.  Keep an eye out for all the fabrics that surround your world and have a great day!