As a contemporary visual artist I've been exploring the traditional art of weaving with plant fibers since 1985. I gather materials respectfully, recycling bark off of trees that are being cut down, pruning selectively to encourage the growth and health of plants, and replanting at every opportunity. I enjoy sharing the lessons I've learned from my generous teachers.
Being a hands-on, low-tech type person, I will do my best to make weekly (or at least monthly) posts. I like writing about the making process, worthwhile community projects, and sharing practical ideas of what the seasons have to offer those who are longing to live creatively within the rhythms of the natural world.
Fish Skin Preparation into a Material For Craft
Koyukon and Athabascan Artist, Audrey Armstrong, recently taught a Fish Skin Workshop at Bainbridge Artisans Resource Network. I’ll be sharing bits of what we learned. She was a wonderful teacher.
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Repost of a 2020 Interview with J & M Davidson for London Craft Week
Blowing the dust off of piles of past work, I found this interview from The Covid Era which may be of interest.
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Bloedel Reserve Residency Notes #2
I am grateful for the affirmation and support I’ve received as a participant in the 2023 Bloedel Reserve’s Creative Residency Program.
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Bloedel Reserve Residency Notes #1
Some notes from my time during a residency at the Bloedel Reserve in Washington State.
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Spring – It’s on the Way
No matter how cold or rainy it is – the plants are telling us that Spring is on its way.
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Water Is Life – A Song Worth Hearing
A song by Oliver Enjady and Lyla June. I hope you can listen.
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Suquamish Elder Ed Carriere is a 2023 National Heritage Fellow
We who know Ed Carriere, have always seen him as a treasured teacher and an encyclopedia of traditional ecological knowledge. But now he will truly be honored as a 2023 National Heritage Fellowship Recipient.
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Our Sacred Obligation – A Story Worth Spreading
Our Sacred Obligation is a well told story of resilience, persistence, purpose and hope. To bring the salmon back to the Klamath River requires decades of hard work, vision, collaboration, community and great leadership. We can all learn from this story.
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Basketry Program at BARN-Bainbridge Artisans Resource Network
After a long pause in the basketry program at the Bainbridge Artisans Resource Network (BARN) due to the covid pandemic, it was wonderful to contribute to this program by teaching a Weaving Nature Workshop at BARN this Fall.
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Living Teachers, Living Landscapes, Living Students
A few thoughts after a long pause from writing to you.
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Hazelnut In Spring
Hazelnut limbs are a strong hardwood that work wonderfully as hoops, handles, or for the ribbed frame pieces that give some baskets their shape and strength. Harvest in winter to keep the bark on. Harvest in spring if you’d like to peal it.
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Food For Thought – No Reconciliation Can Come Without Truth
Everyday I appreciate the food plants along the trail I walk, reminding me that people have lived here from time immemorial to today who have preserved appreciated these food plants too.
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