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Workshops

•       "Serendipity In A Cup"                                               Color Essence For Handweavers
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    “Serendipity In A Cup”
    ~ Color Essence For Handweavers
    
    From the soft, muted watercolor effects of Monet to the bright, brilliant color contrast of Van Gogh, to clear and crisp edged images as in Matisse, this workshop will provide methods and techniques for applying permanent, colorfast dyes and paints to the handwoven cloth.  With a “no limits” design approach in color application to both warp and weft available only to handweavers, we will explore various techniques of precise imagery as well as the freedom of serendipitous “gay abandon”. 

    Through class discussion, instructor-provided samples, slides and hands-on experimentation, students will learn to use basic color theory in their design considerations as they relate to color interplay in weave structure and preparation for surface design elements before, during and after weaving.  Learning about compatible dyes as they apply to silk and protein fibers, mixing color “primaries” to achieve their chosen “palette”, applying and setting the dyes in class, students will ultimately finish their own uniquely “painted” handwoven masterpiece.
    

•       "Esoteric Cloth"                                                         Surface Design for Handweavers
  • “The Esoteric Cloth” ~ Surface Design for Handweavers
    Yarn + loom + pattern = cloth.
    Wonderful.   But, is it enough?
    
    Do you sometimes wonder if your handwoven cloth, beautiful as it is, could have more “depth”, more “interest”, or “dimension”, even “mystery”? Have you ever wished there was something you could do with a disappointing piece? Surface design techniques applied before, during and after weaving can add elements of interest, intrigue and richness attainable only to the handweaver.
    
    From planning ahead in cloth design considerations to the final application of surface design and embellishments, or exploring possibilities for transforming already woven pieces, we will open windows of opportunity through the magic of dyes, paints, warp, weft and fabric manipulation. Through discussion, instructor images, samples and hands-on experimentation, students will learn how to apply ancient, as well as contemporary techniques, and begin to understand how their experiments can be applied within the realms of wearables or the decorative arts.
    
    Techniques for experimentation include itajime (shibori), arashi (shibori), block printing, stenciling, screen printing, nature printing, discharge, “reverse” transparency and devore, Class will also engage in round-table discussion of their learned techniques, exploring their appropriate application to warp, weft and finished woven cloth.
    
•       "Point of Departure ~ Arashi Beyond the Pleat"       Exquisite Texture: Body and Beyond
  • "Point of Departure ~ Arashi Beyond the Pleat"
    Exquisite Texture: Body and Beyond
    
    In reviewing and observing examples of the age old, beautiful art of Arashi Shibori, in this class we will consider it a point of departure to exciting explorations. While utilizing established traditional and contemporary methods to accomplish the rich, sumptuous textures inherent in this dye-resist art, we will further push its limits into the realm of other art forms. Our approach will be easy and “non-precise” in technique, rendering exquisite texture for many applications. Combining dyed, textured, painted silk cloth with handmade papers, metals, beads for garments, wearable accessories, jewelry, mixed media on artist canvas, interior design accents - all will be explored, and more.
    
    
•       "Chroma Rhumba"                                                    Technicolor Dance Around the Color Wheel
  • “Chroma Rhumba!” ~ Technicolor Dance Around the Color Wheel
    
    What is “chroma”, and how do I recognize it when I see it? What’s a gray scale and do I need one? What are complements, and why are they important? What’s the difference between cyan and blue, or magenta and red in color theory? How do I make a navy, or brown, or taupe, or khaki of my own? Can I really mix that beautiful iris blue from my garden for my project? Just what is “mauve”, anyway, and how do I mix it?
    
    If you love color (and who doesn’t), but don’t really know too much about color “theory” (and who does), then come, let’s dance! In this class, we’ll dance our way around the color wheel as we learn about primaries, secondaries, tertiaries (no, they’re not bird feathers) and the endless palette of beautiful transparent colors attainable to textile dyers. Working with six basic primary hues – bright and deep – you will learn to mix any color your heart desires, and take home a color palette of beautiful silk samples as a beginning reference for your own personal explorations.
    
    Note: This is not an in-depth "color theory" class. Our purpose will be to dispel fear and discomfort through "play" with mixing colors and illustrating values. Samples dyed in class, instructor examples and bibliography will provide reference and guidance for your own personal explorations.
    
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•        Landscapes of Inspiration                                        Seminar/lecture
  • Landscapes of Inspiration
    (seminar/lecture, 1 hr “audience participation” formats)
    
    Images of our natural world are everywhere: infinitely tiny moss fibers beneath our feet, to the forest around us, to magnificent tall mountains piercing the wide open skies above. All of these, in all their seasons, provide a lifetime of inspiration for creative expression. This slide show provides images of “the ties that bind” what we see to what we create. We will view images of fiber art – wearables to the decorative arts – and the elements of the earth which inspired them. I will have examples on hand for viewing, and attendees are encouraged to bring pieces of their own to share their stories.
    
    
•        Esoteric Cloth – A Weaver’s Journey                      Speaking Engagement
  • Esoteric Cloth – A Weaver’s Journey
    (speaking engagement, 30-45 minute format)
    
    From her first boundweave rug and Navajo saddle blanket weave “Pony Blanket” to exploring dishtowels, afghans and pillows; wearable art to the decorative arts to fiber art as “fine art”; Kris’ journey has been a curious meandering of enriching discoveries. Like many weavers, this story is one which begins with a loom and two books, and travels thread-by-thread through many years of creative expression. After following the inevitable path of loom + yarn + pattern = cloth, she ventured away for a time to the seduction of surface design, finally finding her voice in messaging for our diminishing natural world. Bringing the loom-plus-yarn process back into brush and dyes, paints, screens and blocks, warp, weft and finished cloth – it all comes together to fulfill and enrich her creative expression.
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