kgtextiles
working on the whole cloth
Thursday, March 28, 2024
Sketch Pad Stuff
Wednesday, February 7, 2024
spring greens on the way
Spring Countdown
Tuesday, July 25, 2023
Big Weaving Time!
Summer Weaving is winding toward Autumn!
And batik
And dyes.
And more textile fun
These are great months to design, with so much color in flowers, sunrise and sunsets, rainbows after showers, vacation inspiration- the creative points are all around!
I've taken some details of successful weaving classes apart to introduce specific skills for the toolbox so when you try and tackle the "next big thing" it's a more pleasurable challenge. I am known to say repeatedly, there is more than one right answer. We can address some of those answers before we have just invested $$ in that incredible silk and wool yarn, dyed up an incredible warp to dress on the loom and start with a lofty yet sticky mohair!! If you have questions be sure and email me.
Some of the classes have been rescheduled. It is always helpful to hear what times are best for everyone so please let me know what times are best for you. That always helps us choose the best times!
August 20 and 21, 10:00am to 1:00pm at Sawtooth School join us for details on how to wind a warp. The first part of the process in hand weaving is determining which threads to use and then measuring threads. We determine the size we want to weave our fabric, what types of yarns we want to use, how soft or firm our fabric needs to be and we count and measure our threads to be ready for the next step.Threading a loom is much easier if the warp is wound properly, and there are several ways to determine “proper”. Head into your next weaving class with the power to put your threads on with order, less chaos and more control of your process!
Thread a Loom, August 28 at Sawtooth School
Weaving involves a littlest of process: there are ways to simplify threading and dressing the loom to have lovely patterns, textures and structure for your special designed fabrics! Join Kathryn for a review of how to thread, why you thread in which direction (yep, some are easier one way than the other), some special knots and other ways to keep handwaving fun and creative. If you’re considering weaving classes, these techniques should give you tools to weave with a variety of yarns with the new patterns you’re exploring.
Floor Loom Weaving begins October 2 and we meet for five classes, October 2 and 5 (same week to eat started) then Mondays, 10/9,16 and 23.. This intro/beginner class is going to be fun! I love weaving and along my journey I’ve picked up a few tricks and am looking forward to having a great time.
In between the workshops, some travel and other events I’m weaving! I received an Artist Support Grant and am excited to have new equipment and materials to work with.. makes a HUGE difference. I’ll be sharing tht work in upcoming exhibits TBA and fall shows. I plan to bring out some colorful handwoven gifts for holidays and special gifts. I’ll be donating to Hirsch WEllness again this year, so please keep that event in
Back to the studio and hope to see you soon
Sunday, July 2, 2023
July is a big WORKSHOP month!!
But first
Let me share my ongoing project!
Workshops
July 20 and 21 from 10:00am to 1:00pm at Sawtooth School join us for details on how to wind a warp. One of the first parts of the process in hand weaving is measuring threads. We determine the size we want to weave our fabric, what types of yarns we want to use, how soft or firm our fabric needs to be and we count and measure our threads to be ready for the next step.Threading a loom is much easier if the warp is wound properly, and there are several ways to determine “proper”. Head into your next weaving class with the power to put your threads on with order, less chaos and more control of your process!
Tuesday, May 30, 2023
a good day to dye
A very good day
One of my absolutely favorite movies is "Smoke Signals", with memorable lines, embraceable characters and reminds me of living out west. which hasn't happened for a really long time. The line about (paraphrased here.. i can't seem to find the movie now!) it is a good day to die, but a better day to have breakfast.
I get to choose my dye days more than i used to. I've got clusters of work that are projects that have some overlap, keeping me working in the art and fine craft world with a lot of menu choices. Its time to get out the colors, though. I have sketches for some new fabrics that I'm super excited about. Some are really textural, some with pattern, some with dye variations and some to be woven with other people. All good, all fun and looking forward makes me really excited.
Here we go
I am so appreciative of the support from local organizations and state arts council grants that help me fund projects- for weaving new work and taking weaving out to my local community. The Community Tapestry project is so very interactive, with color and stories and people that i get to meet, working in rehab centers, working in schools and the other big hat, working at festivals and fairs. I’m excited to have a few grants going to share projects without having to rustle up cash for the materials and expenses.. more community inclusive. :)
Invest in community
Writing hasn't been on the top of my list lately, though the grant writing is always a way to share more
weaving, textiles and engaging artwork with more hands and bigger creative projects. I struggle with being creative and the idea of what i make generating funds to share with my community. One of my favorite recent phrases that found me is "when you invest, invest in your community" and that is my theme song lately. After being in our secluded time, being out and helping to make a creative difference seems incredibly important now.Classes and workshops!
The weaving studio looks great! I’ll be teaching some weaving workshops with a few focused on getting
the details of starting to weave- winding, threading, dyeing your own warps, plus an intro class and pattern class.
Friday, November 12, 2021
Yeah! Yeah!
Its been too long. We can meet, see stuff and most importantly, we can touch stuff
With Textiles that is a thing
I've been dyeing to share some new work with you all. I've done that with the website updates, new weaving, printin on fabrics and then meeting folks through galleries
here s the thing
I spend a lot of time making what I like. I love color, shape texture and structure.I don't think i'll ever bored with weaving, printing and painting. I've chosen to make this a life work.
Residencies
I am always excited to share textile techniques so lmk if you have a group interested in a workshop. I love the grants through school programs that i work with, sharing what i know and what I've learned is such a good feeling!! (hugger moment)
Festivals
always try to attend. Artists are kind of struggling now. remember toe ou saw earlier at shows and try and connect with tem on line. we have had a lo of folks that are more interested in non ontact sales through events because of covid, to e safe. consider these wonderful folks as you make your holiday shopping decisions
meanwhile
, all about me....
check out my website, with links to social media. I usually don't sell on there, but def provide a link to my vits and pieces
Wednesday, June 30, 2021
Sunrise
Artist Support Grant
The finished project is a short series of dyed and woven pieces that are based on a brilliant sunrise. The colors are mixed, as watercolor, and are bright against night sky then bright against a morning sky. I liked to use a narrower fabric width that would wrap the sunrise colors side by side, showing the consistency and magic of ordinary days. I decided to line up the sunrise, loop the nights at top and bottom and frame the days with the brilliant colors centered as a celebration, as the birds sing to welcome the day.
As my residency contracts were cancelled in March of 2020, I worked entirely from home.
I live in an urban setting and the connection of days in a grounded location away from packing and driving has given me enlightened perspectives for what I want to explore, breaking the previous routines that were, for the most part, wearing.
Often, I am weaving for festivals, shows and retail project that are functional and wearable. I sometimes don’t have the time it takes to develop something that I’ve started from an idea, a drawing, a complete draft of a project that I can exhibit and I feel that I miss out on a lot of participation because I am using my art and fine craft for personal business income.
The ASG and the time I had to invest due to quarantine situations has been an opportunity for me to follow through on the idea of days that loop into nights into days, as color can transition from warm and bright to dark and subtle. When I first began weaving, non-functional art was my inspiration. These materials and time have given me a body of work with story, color, structure and an opportunity to exhibit non-functional work.
I look forward to exhibiting this work. And I still have a few ideas on how to continue the project, too.
Meanwhile, there is more coming as far as exhibits, as workshops and other fun and yarny things.Art Camps at the Arts Center in Carrboro, June through August (specific times through these dates)
New work in City Gallery, Galax, VA (and in time for Fiddlers Convention!)
Story Cloth exhibit at Art in the Garden, August-September
Creative Sewing workshops with Art in the Garden, Reidsville, NC
Adult Art Camp at Reynolds Homestead, Critz, VA