New Friends

Last week I had the pleasure of sharing my love of plants and my joy of weaving botanicals, with members of the Julian Art Guild.
I presented an overview of my work, then demonstrated basic weaving techniques on one of the three simple and compact frame looms which I brought with me.
That’s was all Cathy, Melissa, and Laurie needed to get weaving!
Bonnie and Diane opted for the mini-table loom with four shafts.
Given the level of interest, I’m planning a two-day workshop later this year, most likely in June. I’ll keep you posted....
Fun all around, as you can see from these photos.  Thanks JAG, for a great time weaving!

CHAPARRAL DREAMS Art exhibit at Mission Trails Regional Park

What a splendid time was had by all at Mission Trails Regional Park in Santee last Sunday afternoon:   the opening reception for “Chaparral Dreams”, landscapes by Jim Nix and botanical weavings by me. I have been preparing for this for the past eight months, and it was truly a joy to see my work hanging alongside Jim’s beautiful depictions of the Park.
Thank you to all our friends and family who came, and to all those who wandered in from the visitors center at large or from the trails within the park.  You made my day!
And I would be remiss if I failed to especially thank Vicky DeLong for the fabulous job she did putting it all together.  Thank you Vicky!
Another bonus: the park will have a tidy sum to add to their foundation’s general sum, for a good number of both our works have already sold, and a percentage of the sales is designated for the park.
Enjoy these scenes from the show!

Wabi Sabi II

This botanical weaving will go to the highest bidder!
Escondido Arts Partnership Municipal Gallery is hosting their annual fundraising soirée on Saturday March 28 from 5:30 to 9pm.
Panache will be a celebration of local art, with silent and live art auctions. Proceeds will benefit the Escondido Arts Partnership free arts program for the community.
Auction preview Saturday March 14 5:30 to 8pm.
Make a reservation online at escondidoarts.org or call 760-480-4101.
Wabi Sabi II measures 25”x60”. Price: to be determined!

From Near and Far

We do a bit of traveling every now and then. Often I come home with botanicals from far away places.
This botanical weaving has plant materials from right outside our front door, from nearby trails where we hike, from a kiwi farm in Canada, and from a small town in southern India.
I started weaving it just after we returned home from India, where I spent the “time out” that I wrote of in my previous post.
Time off gave me time to rest, to regroup, to think about what I do, and how and why I do it.  Time to reflect on my life. Precious time....
As I was weaving this piece, I was remembering the warm people we met on our trip, the warm people in our life here at home, the lush, beautiful landscape we were immersed in there, and the diverse beautiful landscape here.
Weaving has always been a metaphor for me, of the connectedness of the myriad elements that combine to make our life what it is.  People, places, all that brings meaning and worth to my life.
This weaving is no exception.  It has contrast, harmony, diversity, and

overarching sense of unity.

“From Near and Far” will be on display at the Borrego Art Institute “Earth’s Elements” Show from February 1-23.  23”Wx28”L.  $315

Time Out

This month I’m on sabbatical.
The botanical weavings for my first show as a featured artist, which deadline is early January for the February show, are now finished.
I will write up the remaining narratives for a journal to accompany the exhibit, a kind of catalogue for the show, when my “time out” is at an end.
Meanwhile, here is a peek at the namesake for the show, “Chaparral Dreams”, which opens February 16 at the Mission Trails Regional Park visitors center.
Chaparral Dreams includes more than twelve different California native plants.

Twigs

Often I am astonished at what lies underfoot...the spread of leaves in dappled sunlight, a soft cushion of damp earth after a rain, the crunch of fallen twigs while the wind rustles through branches above me.
Twigs! I’ll weave twigs!
And what an array of twigs I found over the course of a week!  Their colors, textures, and even their scents astonished and delighted!
Here’s what came of my joy in discovering the beauty of twigs:
(3.5”x30”; $95)

Time to catch up....

greetings!
I’ve been neglecting my blog in favor of my loom, so it’s time to catch up.
I’ve got more botanical weavings than ever before, as I’m gearing up for another show in February.
More about the show later....
If you would like to keep up with each piece as it comes off my loom, please check out my Instagram posts at kathleencook6777
Here’s an overview of what I’ve been weaving, pictured in the following order:
Moonlight and Sage 15.5x34” $285
Where the Rabbits Run 21.5”x25” $375
Chaparral Melody 30”x30” $245 (sold)
Sage Feathers 9”x15” $185
Chaparral Dreams 23.5x31” $315
Beyond Summer 26”x34” $470
Chaparral Bling approx 11”x11” $145

Enjoy!