Sources of inspiration

Lecture

I find that other artists and the general public are very interested in how one comes to produce a body of work. This talk deals with personal exploration into my earliest textile memories as well as the research I continue to do in the field of ethnic and historic textiles. I also show slides of other contemporary textile artists whose work seems to flow naturally from some ethnic heritage in which they are imbued. I discuss the sources of creative inspiration that often evolve from materials, to technique and then to concept as a textile artist matures in her work. I discuss the vocabulary of techniques we develop and use throughout a career. Finally I present an over view of my current body of work showing where this inspiration has led me.

This talk was quite well received when I gave it at the Palace of the Legion of Honor in San Francisco for the Textile Arts Council's continuing series on contemporary fiber artists (in May 03). This slide lecture is about one hour or so long and in the past I have brought samples of my work to display on the stage as well. This lends itself well to a half-day seminar.

Workshop

Students would bring images of textiles or other art that moves them as a starting point. We would manipulate these images using a copier if available, or by cutting, pasting and drawing to produce a sketch for a possible future woven work. This would be a one-day workshop including the slide lecture above. I propose to give the slide lecture in the morning with a closer look at my own work. In the afternoon, we would do the hands on workshop manipulating images and ideas and looking at students' own woven work.

This workshop is most effective if we have access to a copier during the lunch break or during class time. In addition we will need a slide projector, pedestal and mike, a table for display of my work and an easels.

Students must bring an image of an ethnic textile they like, scissors, glue stick, paper and pens or colored pencils, a piece of their own handwoven work for encouragement and critique, an open mind.

Maximum number of students is 25.

Ability level is all.