Woven Histories
Those of you that have followed my work for any amount of time will know that themes of nature and legacy are common threads that, regardless of medium, run through my work. As I work my way through the studio in preparation for my “Gallery at Home” Open Studio I am continually surprised and delighted to see the repetition of particular themes throughout my nearly 35 years as a professional artist.
My “Woven Watercolors” are particularly memorable…I studied Textile Design at Moore College of Art and became absolutely enamored when I was introduced to hand weaving ~ the meditative and repetitive process felt so natural and calming. (maybe in my Scots Irish DNA? ~ see below). I valued every moment in the sunlight filled weaving studio but I did have a longing for my watercolor paints (I had been painting since the age of 5 after all!)
The only problem? When I was weaving, I missed painting and when I was painting, I missed weaving.
The spark of inspiration hit one day while I was trimming the edges off of a painting. As a thin strip of paper fell to the floor I had the thought to “weave with paper”. From that day, and for the next 15 years, my days were joyfully filled with painting, cutting, and weaving. I developed a technique I called “Woven Watercolors” that involved cutting my watercolor paintings into 1/8” strips to use as the “weft” (the horizontal strips of a weaving) and handpainting 1/8” satin ribbon to use as the “warp” (the vertical strips of a weaving). I spent hundreds of hours meditatively weaving paper and cloth into unique and beautiful works of art. I have a particularly sweet memory of my son as an infant, lying peacefully across my lap as I sat at the loom, lulled to sleep by the rhythm of my weaving. Sorting through my archives has uncovered such special memories. I hope you enjoy this trip down memory lane as much as I have.
x erin
The Hirsel Craft Centre
A weaving apprenticeship during college took me to Scotland for a life changing summer. “Waterlily Weavers” was located in the historic stable block of The Hirsel Estate in Coldstream, Scotland. Lifelong skills, memories, and friends were born here.
“From the Land Comes the Cloth”
I took advantage of my time in Scotland to visit a Harris Tweed weaver’s cottage on the Isle of Harris. For over 100 years Harris Tweed has been dyed and woven to exacting standards on this tiny island in the Outer Hebrides of Scotland. The production of this heritage cloth is fascinating and I encourage you to learn more HERE.
A legacy of weaving… evidence of my Scots Irish ancestors working in Philadelphia textile mills 1880/1900. As young as age 12 the Sweeneys and Stevensons toiled in unsafe conditions as carpet weavers, bobbin winders, “twisters”, and carders. A far cry from the idyllic surroundings I was surrounded by during my weaving apprenticeship.
My daily walk along the lane to the weaving studio revealed Wild Poppies growing in profusion across the Hirsel Estate … to this day I find their papery petals captivating and they remain a favorite subject.
“Faith in a Seed” IV depicting an Iceland Poppy from my garden. Watercolor, Collaged Vintage Dress Pattern, Gesso, on Canvas.
10”x10”x1.5”. Available at MassoniArt, Chesterton, MD.
More poppies … from the archive
Woven Watercolor giclée prints.
Available at my “Gallery at Home” open studio. Please see below for details.
Matted and suitable for framing. Image size 4”x 5”
Limited quantity.
