Here are two of my earliest remaining works.
Though I have never sold a piece, It would seem that the only ones remaining in my hands are the ones having some special meaning or that no one else wants.
This first fits the latter description.
I have also taken many photos of blankets over time.
From 35mm to cheap polaroids, it is astounding all that can come to part you from your cherished photos.
Only a few of dubious quality remain.
Only because no one has found a greater need for them, (so far ;)
I went through a period of around twelve years that I call my, "Belted" period.
Probably my most productive period, as concerns number of blankets produced.
Yet, the only one that remains in my possession is an odd one called, "Orlon" that resides as a mattress-cover under the sheets of my water bed.
It is not a true "belted" style, in that its belt is narrow and runs almost directly across the blanket.
It is a true abortion of the weavers pattern.
The exact intent that was sought, owing to the fact that it was woven over a period of two years from an orlon yarn.
This was due to it being all I had easy access to at a time I was ready to set-up and start weaving a large piece.
The pattern was fairly complicated and the piece was large. (6'x8')
I recall it made me question my eyesight at a time before it was in question.
This, because of three whites in an intricate pattern and next to each other through the center of the body, yet barely discernible from each other. :)
If I had the money I burned in kilowatts, trying to brighten up my loom while weaving that piece. I could have used the better yarn. lol
It's my nature to weave when the urge is on and damn the rest of it, though.
Even while weaving a "Throw-away" piece, it has always been the lessons of the loom as opposed to its product, that holds interest to me I guess.
It was the first time I ever had to use a cheap commercial yarn, because it was that or don't weave.
So I named it "Orlon" and patterned it to suit the name.
I will try to place a few photos here. I must dig it out though, and try to wash and clean it up a lot, first.
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Here are two views of one of the the only remaining pieces from my earliest works. (1968--70)
It is all singles woof, hand-spun in natural colors, with no dye.
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This one remains because it was warped too close, allowing the warps to show in places where they became crowded in its body.
It is a Very thin and tightly woven small piece.
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| Though it is not clear, the colors are a natural black, two greys, beige or apricot, and white.
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The warp is a machine-spun black (dyed) Persian lamb's wool, eight-ply.
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Next is one I wove early on, as an attempt to tax what I had learned about pattern.
One selvage got out of control and the other was a little off also.
I was out of my element here, as a new weaver, just trying to learn what could be done.
I had learned the basic math that is involved in traditional patterns and the "Laws of the Loom."
This was an early attempt at curves, circles and abstract forms.
It was woven around 1971-2, to the best of my recollection.
None of these photos do justice on what it looks like, however.
It was taken from its location between the wall and the foot of the bed, where it had been kicked off after serving as cold-night covers, during the cold nights of last winter.
It is wrinkled and in need of a wash also.
The colors are not reproduced in their true hues.
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The top part shows the natural colors from the sheep, in contrast with the dyed colors below.
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The colors come through a little better here in this full length photo.
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Though I continued to try to show a true view of the gold chain across its middle, it would never come out as it looks on the piece.
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The one on the left is probably the closest to showing its true colors, though that chain is still not showing and there is no green or purples in the piece, though the lighting is causing those hues to show up here. |
Well there is a look at some that were the first from my loom, and all remaining that I have to show.
I will tell you about the ones I wove during the time of my "Belted" period, because I cannot show any. lol ;)
I would weave smaller (3�'x4�') triditional styled weaves, with the exception of them having a dioganal 'belt' that would go from the bottom of one side toward the top and exit on the opposit side, about � from the top. (Starting � from the bottom.)
The pattern would stay the same in the piece, but the colors inside the belt would reverse.
Black would be white, light grey would be dark and versa.
To the best of my knowledge, they all reside in Chicago, now. LOL! There were many of varing quality and workmanship.
Only a by-product of the true worth that was had from those years of learning, however.
I have retained the true value. ;)
I have gone ahead with a rush-job of placing some photos on-line of a wrinkled and still dirty blanket called;
"Orlon"
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That can be seen by clicking on it, above.
Though not very well.. LOL
Or you may click the rug below to see a few more "ThrowAway" blankets.
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PINU'U |