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Artist-in-Residence – Spring 2016

I am pleased to announce the next Artist-in-Residence at SAORI Salt Spring. And I want to thank all the others that applied…the decision was not an easy one!

March 2016 Artist-in-Residence – Stacey Piwinski, MFA of Massachusetts

I have met some of her connections to SAORI – Mihoko Wakabayashi of SAORI Worcester and Bobbie Herron – and I look forward to meeting her soon.

She will be here in March and coming to the workshop days and SAORI Kai at Pacifica Paddle on March 12 & 13.

She says:

I would like to continue my abstract woven portraiture work, but this time instead of working with friends, I would be making new friends in new places. I have no idea where this new work will take me, but I am excited, a little scared, and willing to find out my getting my hands in an allowing the loom to make those soothing clicking sounds and guide the conversations and the fabric row by row.

Two Years

Two Years (detail)

Her Artist’s Statement for an upcoming show:

Although her work speaks to painterly concerns, Stacey Piwinski (CFA’99,’00) uses textiles and found materials to create intricate weavings that consider the passage of time, the tactility of material, and interpersonal relationships. In her fabric scrolls and mixed media works, Piwinski carefully re-contextualizes objects that have personal significance or simply have been left behind. In these material and personal explorations of memory, Piwinski allows the objects to weave together new meanings and to tell new stories.

The show:
Sherman Gallery, Boston University Art Galleries
Stacey Piwinski: It’s not you, it’s me
January 22 – March 4, 2016

September 20, 1911

About Stacey
Stacey received her BFA in painting in 1999, her MFA in studio teaching in 2000 from Boston University, and most recently her MFA in visual arts from Lesley University in January 2014. Stacey participated in the Japan Fulbright Memorial Teaching Program in 2005 and was inspired by Japanese textiles, specifically Saori Weaving. As an arts educator in the Wellesley Public Schools, she has facilitated community-weaving projects as a way of connecting individuals. Weaving as a metaphor for bringing people together is a thread that runs through all of her work.

You can see more of her work here.

I’m looking forward to her SAORI explorations here at SAORI Salt Spring. I hope that many of you can join us for a SAORI Kai on March 13!

Happy Weaving,
Terri
My website: www.saorisaltspring.com

January 13, 2016

Artist in Residence, Weaving

Artist-in-Residence: On my return to the South…

Susan Norton, from Louisiana was the first Artist-in-Residence at SAORI Salt Spring. I asked her for a few words about her experience here and this is what she wrote:

On my return to the South, I understand that we really do move at a much slower pace than others. Whether it was in my speech on Salt Spring Island when I ordered my lunch with ‘haamm’ or my hesitancy when choosing new colors at Terri’s studio I find that with deliberation also comes a reluctance to move forward. With exposure to new techniques and attempting to expand on my weaving knowledge I came to adopt the mantra of “just do it”. My gorgeous cabin in the woods and the sweetest people on the island helped me to feel welcomed. Now, at home I am becoming more decisive with my Saori weaving style and still trying to see with shining eyes and approach weaving with even more gentleness.

With Holidays fast approaching I feel like my artist in residency was all too brief. Making the commitment to collaborate with Terri on this experience was only the beginning of what I hope is a greater sharing on my part.

I am truly fortunate to have been the first artist in residence at Saori Salt Spring Weaving Studio.

~ Susan

It was so much fun to share the studio with Susan for a week and then to go to Pacifica Paddle to continue the journey with other SAORI weavers from the area. We also had a SAORI Kai to learn and to share with others.

Some photos from the week:

In the studio…

Making a narrow warp for learning…

And more warping…

Lynn comes over to share ideas…

Some sewing too!

At Pacifica Paddle…

And even getting out on the water…

So, I’m also announcing the next Artist-in-Residence for SAORI Salt Spring. It will be in March 2016 – with dates somewhat flexible. One of the comments that Susan had was that it felt too short – so I have an option of one-week or 10 days. Applications will be accepted up until January 1, 2016 for this AiR. More information here.

Happy Weaving,
Terri

My website: www.saorisaltspring.com

December 16, 2015

Clothing Design, Weaving

SAORI Clothing Design – A vest conversion

Two years ago I made a long, simple vest out of some fabric that I had woven. The vest was 3 strips of fabric sewn together with spaces left for the armholes and slits left in the bottom section. It could be worn two ways and I wrote about it here.

Here it is flat:

And here was the finished piece:

I liked it a lot … BUT I didn’t wear it.

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One day a couple of weeks ago, I had an idea. Inspired by Lynn’s Squid family, it occurred to me that the fabric could easily be made into a squid tunic / dress. All I had to do was sew up the seams completely, where I had left them open. Fold it, with one corner at the top – sew it up and cut a couple of new armholes.

And, ta da, it became a squid 🙂 that can be worn either way – the cowl at the front and it looks like a dress…

The cowl at the back, which becomes a collar and then it looks more like a tunic…

Details…

AND now I’ve been wearing it a LOT!

It’s good to listen to the cloth…

Happy Weaving,
Terri

My website: www.saorisaltspring.com

PS…I’m posting much more often on my Facebook page and Instagram account, so you can keep up with happenings there. Or you can join my mailing list here.

December 10, 2015/4 Comments

Travel, Weaving

Loom Dancer Weaving Odysseys – August 2015

What an amazing two weeks!

It started with Karen coming early to spend some time on retreat and learning more about SAORI weaving and assisting with preparation for the workshops.

The first day is a tour of Salt Spring Island – my studio, Ewetopia Farm, the Gulf Islands Spinning Mill and then Seaside Kitchen for lunch.

Ewetopia Farm

Gulf Islands Spinning Mill

Then it’s off to the wineries, the brewery, Salt Spring Cheese, the Bread Lady, etc. for a real ‘Taste of Salt Spring’.

On Friday, the weaving began … it continued right through until Monday afternoon with a break on Saturday for a visit to the Salt Spring Saturday Market.

The people, the weaving, the enthusiasm and creativity of both groups was outstanding. Definitely one of the highlights of my year!

Both tours were sold out with 10 people in each, plus Cari & Karen, so we had full studios…

The studio at Harbour House

The studio at Mineral Springs Resort

On the final day, Lynn Jones came over to share some of her clothing designs. A fashion show gave new inspiration as we also demoed how to create the origami-style clothes.

We looked at patterns from the books. Kenzo-san always says the writing may be Japanese, but the pictures are in English 🙂 So we took some examples and did paper folding to help understand how the cloth is folded, cut and sewn.

The finales were spectacular!

August 5- 11 at Harbour House

August 12-18 at Mineral Springs Spa

Thanks to each person who came. Please keep in touch – I’d love to see where SAORI takes you. A special thanks to Cari for her vision and organization. Many of the people have been on other tours with Loom Dancer Weaving Odysseys and I can certainly see why. And thanks again to Karen and Lynn for all of their help at the workshop.

Cari Malver, Loom Dancer Weaving Odysseys

Note: Many photos of the weaving can be found on my Facebook page and Instagram account

Happy Weaving,
Terri

My website: www.saorisaltspring.com

And thanks to Rufus – the Loom Dancer mascot 🙂

August 23, 2015/2 Comments

Weaving

Gathering of bobbins

Last night I gathered up my tangle of bobbins and sorted them out in preparation for some workshops. I filled a basket and as I was doing that I was thinking about all the yarns on the bobbins…

I was wondering what the most popular colour was, or if there is one.

As I said that out loud, my friend said to me that he thought the most popular colours were the ones that had been on the empty bobbins!! Haha! A new perspective….love it!

Happy Weaving,
Terri

My website: www.saorisaltspring.com

June 8, 2015/3 Comments

Travel, Weaving

SAORI Salt Spring at The Workshop @ Pacifica

This past weekend I took 6 new looms over to The Workshop @ Pacifica in Brentwood Bay, Victoria.

We have set up a wonderful, waterfront workshop space to be a home for these looms.

The Workshop @ Pacifica in Brentwood Bay

I will be offering classes and workshops and we are also working on some drop-in times and loom rentals so that people in the Victoria area can continue on their SAORI weaving journey.

Paddling, of course, is also an option at special club member rates. Take some time to paddle at lunch or after your weaving or bring a friend who wants to get out on the water while you weave.

You can also enjoy a paddle

The Workshop @ Pacifica is focussing on creativity, health and balance. SAORI weaving will be part of this sharing. I’m so excited!

You can follow The Workshop @ Pacifica on Facebook to see photos, new course offerings and more.

Out on the deck enjoying the sun and water

Please see my Workshop page for times and classes.

Registration for all workshops at Pacifica are through me, so please call or email me.

Happy Weaving,
Terri

My website: www.saorisaltspring.com

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May 15, 2015

Artist in Residence, Sustainability, Weaving

Artist in Residence (AiR) – Earth Loom

At the beginning of the month, in starting my Artist in Residence, I decided it was time to renew my Earth Loom. On the night of the full moon, I went out and threaded up the loom…

Over the next few days, I started to add to it. Yarn, roving and found objects – all things that are biodegradable…

The loom is set at the entrance to our driveway turnaround – one part goes off to the cottage, another to the studio…

Over the next months, I will continue to add to the weaving and invite others to as well.

Happy Weaving,
Terri

My website: www.saorisaltspring.com

PS – Credit for the idea of my Earth Loom goes to Susan Barrett Merrill. My earth loom was built in 2009 by my cousin and I thank Tony for that! Other posts about it can be found here.

February 26, 2015

W2W, Weaving

Weaver to Weaver (W2W15)

Meg in Nelson, who I was able to finally meet in person this past year, hosts all kinds of lovely ideas for connecting and sharing ideas and works and weaving. She had Loomsday (check out all the links on her post) on New Year’s Day – which I interpreted as “What’s on your Loom“, but which I heard later is more of a tradition of honouring our tools – and in this case looms. I’ll remember that for next year, though it was interesting to see what was on everyone’s loom too!

The most recent activity that I participated in was called Weaver to Weaver 2015 (W2W15), where we were to gather some things to send to another person as inspiration, thoughts, ideas, etc. in the form of a small envelope full of goodies.

I received one in return – from Meg!

Wow Meg! So many things, so many possibilities. Perfect for SAORI in which I always say there are ‘endless possibilities’.

In her handwritten note, Meg describes some of the items and why she included them…

Then, the other day, I was out in my studio and looking at some fine cotton that I received. It is from surveying instruments. I have many cones of it, it is all white and finer than I would use for weaving. So, I got out my cone winding tool and starting combining many of the threads together – in this photo 4 threads…

I am not plying or twisting them, but just putting them together and winding the cone. An idea came to me as I was doing this and it came from one of the items in my W2W package….the map. Surveying cotton and creating a map – that seems to go together. So – I have the beginning of another new idea from just one of the items. It will be interesting to see what other ideas come from this packet of inspiration…papers, chocolate wrappers, paintings, calendar photos, threads of different colours, complex cloth, flowers, geometric designs – endless!

Thanks Meg!!

Links to other W2W15 posts here.

Happy Weaving,
Terri

My website: www.saorisaltspring.com

February 19, 2015/1 Comment

Artist in Residence, SAORI Kai II, Weaving

Artist in Residence Month

February this year is an Artist in Residence month for me. The last time I did this was May 2013 – you can read about my adventures from that year here. I felt it was time to do it again. For those that didn’t read my blog then, it was a time for me to focus on my weaving as an Artist in Residence – in my own residence and studio.

So this year’s residence started with a SAORI Kai over in Victoria at Knotty by Nature. What a great way to start out – sharing our SAORI stories and inspiration. Some new and visiting people were there which added to the Kai. Thanks to all who came!!

Lynn showing the back of her vest and it’s construction

As I start on this next Artist in Residence (AiR), I’ve been wondering what my focus will be.

The first day at home, I was unloading my van and organizing the studio after taking 6 looms and material, etc. over to Victoria. As I was doing that I was thinking about my AiR and also thinking back to Loomsday and what warps were still on my looms. One was my ‘Christmas warp’…

This was a warp I put on before Christmas thinking that someone might like to weave something in Christmas colours – or that I might. One person did a weaving, but then there was still lots of warp left. I wondered – how can I weave this so that it doesn’t look like ‘Christmas’?

I looked at my bobbin tray – full of partial bobbins from my recent workshops…

…and wondered what colours & textures would change the look of the warp? And so I started to weave…

We’ll see where this goes.

It’s interesting that I have this feeling as I start out that I have to clear all my previous warps before I start on some new things. Making space perhaps for new ideas. I also wound some new warps yesterday – so I’ll just let this process unfold and see if it becomes clear.

During this month I have a workshop in White Rock and another in Victoria at Pacifica Paddle in Brentwood Bay – great chances to share SAORI weaving. I also have people coming to the studio to learn, to share. This is what I love – sharing SAORI!

Other thoughts for the month are to try some new fibres in the studio:

Some great recycled linens from Give a Darn Yarn that arrived last week…

Some beautiful rovings from Ashford and of course some of the SAORI Yarn Sets that came just before Christmas.

And some new yarns that I’m hoping arrive soon from New Zealand from Black Hills Yarn which I will be carrying in my shop!

Fun!

I’ll keep posting my explorations….

Happy Weaving,
Terri

My website: www.saorisaltspring.com

February 5, 2015/1 Comment

Weaving

Loomsday – part two

After posting images of my looms on Loomsday (New Year’s Day) in response to Meg’s ‘challenge’ (be sure to check out all the links in her post), I received responses and images of other people’s works and looms and wanted to share them.

I’m always inspired to see what everyone is up to!

Judi sent me the following:

I started 2015 with an empty loom. That’s not a bad thing, as it means I am partway through a weaving project for my son and his fiancée. I offered to do a table runner for the reception (thanks for the idea, Terri!) and the whole thing kind of snowballed. I have two runners off the loom but not finished- I am waiting for some special beads to come in the mail. This was the end of the first warp:

I am not sure what this cloth will become, but it’s the nicest leftovers I’ve ever made.

The rest of the runners ( and I think the goal is another 4) are hidden in this picture:

I am so happy to be able to contribute something original to the party- my daughter-in-law-to-be is an artist and appreciates what I do, so she gave me carte blanche in the design. The only guideline was colour- yellow and grey. (That allowed for gold and silver for bling!)

So, my loom may be empty, but it is ready to go as soon as I am.

Happy New Year!

Lynn sent me this:

Two naked looms, two new projects for 2015. A pre-wound persimmon warp just getting threaded. It will be a challenge to see what colours I’ll use as the warp. I love a challenge!!! This is such a lovely and unusual colour.

And on the ‘baby’ Piccolo, some very fine wools in ‘Autumn’ colours. At least fine threads to start…..I have a feeling this will turn into lots of texture, all wool and …… who knows?