I had a moment in my day to go see Pam Patrie a master level weaver and her workshop crew up at the Arts Cabins on Mt Hood in Government Camp Oregon. The Arts Cabins are a hidden treasure where artists can come to teach or learn themselves. Pam’s workshop had weavers with experience from 3 weeks to 45 years. I had never been around a workshop of weavers before. Wow. The colors of yarn and creativity were so inspiring! Warping, wefting,wafting,I got my terms a little mixed up but the weavers were kind. They have funny names for a craft that basically has not changed since the 13th century. Whatever they call the tools and process, It was a cool experience. First a design is chosen, then that design is reproduced on graph or tracing paper then sized to fit the loom. The looms were made of copper pipe and seemed to be easily transportable. Colors are chosen, and then the wefting wafting begins. Pam says it is an intoxicating craft. I could tell it was mentally engrossing and addictive. The weavers were engaged and didn’t really stop creating when I was there. “Nothing like being deep in the weave” quotes Pam Patrie, Master Weaver Pam says the Arts Cabins are a great venue to consolidate a group. The air and the mountain are inspirational while being in the woods makes it conducive to work. The work I saw on these nomadic murals were amazing. Volcanoes, NW Indian lore, an Egyptian design from a piece of cloth a mother had given her son from the 1920’s, even practicing to dot and dash for the first time seemed ethereal. Capturing the arts and crafts movement and making it present and today is really happening. Those weavers captured me and then wove me into their story.
Posted on: Thu, 19 Sep 2013 17:13:39 +0000
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