In the picture with Faith, is Monty, our dog. When we were in South Texas, were I started Luna Azul Studio, Monty had lots of land to run on. He is a little older  and larger now, so he will have to ease into running around the farm! Mostly he gets hot, but he does love to chase rabbits! I will soon be set up to paint and weave in the new studio. Look for new creations coming soon!!

Webster defines a loom as “a frame or machine for interweaving yarn or threads into a fabric, the operation being performed by laying lengthwise a series called the warp and weaving in across this other threads called the weft, woof, or filling.” Another definition, which is more  to the point: “A loom is the framework across which threads are stretched for the weaving of cloth.” the warp is the backbone of the weaving structure, choosing a warp is very important to the weaving process, The warp yarns work best if they have certain characteristics. The warps should be fairly smooth and should not have too many slubs or bumps. The warps should be plied yarns with adequate tensile strength, strong enough to withstand a certain amount of weight. Types of warp yarns used in historic times varied depending upon what plants or animals were native to a particular region. Cotton, wool, linen, and silk were favorite warp yarns of our ancestors and are still some of the most popular choices of contemporary weavers. Today’s fiber artists use the same general principles as people during primitive times, for the fundamental aspects of hand weaving have remained unchanged.

It is thought that the first looms, called warp-weighted looms, were vertical structures. The weaver would suspend fibers from a tree branch, which was parallel to the ground, or he might fashion a vertical loom using tree limbs and branches. Warp ends were tied over the top branch and were then placed under tension with stones or weights made of baked clay. Initially, weaving was accomplished by walking back and forth in front of the loom, lifting one warp thread at a time, and passing the weft under and over the warps from side-to-side. Working against gravity, wefts were pushed up into place with the weaver’s hands or with a crude comb. Since every warp thread had to be lifted by hand, the process was slow and tedious. In time, a large tapered stick was introduced and was used to carry the weft across the warp and to push, or beat, the threads up into place. Early on, this stick resembled an over-sized needle, but ultimately, it became the shuttle, a tapered device on which weft yarn is wound and which passes between warp threads.

The foot-treadle loom came about after many years of development and exploration. This loom employed a pulley and lever system and the slot-and-eye heddle system giving a clear shed and freeing up the weaver’s hands. Generally, weavers today prefer floor looms containing foot treadles, which can rise and lower warp threads at will. With the creation of the floor loom, the shuttle carrying the weft threads could now be passed back and forth across the warp without interruption.

The looms used by weavers today have some “modern” adaptations but all in all they are very much like the looms of old.

Karen Rester Hand Woven Textile

Then you have us, a handful of artisans making cloth on hand looms, in home studios or small weaving businesses, who weave to be weaving, making wonderful pieces of art. Weaving is an art of the mind , the heart and the hand. It is a process I just love to do.

Karen Rester Hand Woven Textile

The enjoyment I get from choosing the yarns, warping the loom, weaving the art and then finishing each piece off is the best part, the creation of a wall hanging or a scarf is the end result of this creative experience. Like painting or collage, I enjoy the process, the road from A to B. Creating is the best kind of working, you can do it for hours on end and never get tired, it challenges the mind and the imagination.

Karen Rester Hand Woven Textile

Karen's Fiber Art hanging at the show

Although the weather was a bit dreary, we really had a great time at the GAP Art Show at the Lancaster Theater in Grapevine, this past Saturday. Karen and I had a great spot, thanks so much to all who braved the wet weather and came out to support the arts.  I was able to get in some painting and Karen and I were able to visit with so many great people about our art. People loved Karen’s new “Fiber Art” and it was so interesting to hear her talk about her loom.  It’s a whole new vocabulary; one which she has learned well, and is excelling at. I am working on a new piece featuring Clematis flowers which are going crazy on our trellis in the side yard. I’ll keep you posted on it’s progress.

Painting in our booth

Exhibit Poster

Last weekend was a flurry of artistic activities. We hung my exhibit “The Nature of Flowers”  at Texas Discovery Gardens Sunday before the opening on Monday the 22nd. After a ton of things to make it happen, Friday night was upon us, and the reception for the exhibit. I’m not going to lie, I was pretty nervous, flashbacks of a Christmas Caroling party Karen and I had as kids, where no one showed up, except our best friend, kept raising its ugly head.  All the worry was for nothing, it was a “fantabulous” night. There was such a great turn out, I meet so many wonderful people, all of whom really loved my work. So many of them said the paintings brought smiles to their faces, they truly made them happy. Exactly what I was hoping for, each piece has been my attempt to capture the beauty created by the Master Artist.  I had such wonderful support from my family and friends. My husband seemed to be everywhere, helping out, my son in law took pictures, my mom got everyone to sign the guest book. There are just not enough thank you’s to show my appreciation to my family for their support. I also appreciate everyone who came out, I meet so many nice people. Elsie and her daughter, Penelope and her Dad, Alma and her husband, and so many others. Thank each of you for braving the traffic to spend the evening visiting and viewing my art. Saturday morning I did a little painting and visiting in the Gallery. What a joy to share my work and get the added bonus of meeting and speaking with so many different folks.  Enjoy the photos from my week.

Sunny and Monarch

Great Food

A few of the wonderful people who came out

Elsie and Daughter

Great conversation

Saturday Demo Painting at the Gallery

You are Invited

It feels like Christmas! Having my work on exhibit in the Gallery at Texas Discovery Gardens is so amazing. I feel so very blessed to be able to intertwine my art with such a beautiful venue that supports our environment. My work will be on exhibition beginning March 22 and ending July 31, 2010. There will be an Opening Reception for the Exhibit on March 26th from 6:00 pm until 8:00 pm at the Gallery. Texas Discovery Gardens’ 7.5 acres offer a wonderful diversity of garden styles and botanical collections. The Gardens feature native plants and plant species from other regions of the world that are adapted to the challenging climate and soils of North Texas. Plants are also selected for their benefits in providing habitat for native wildlife, including butterflies, bugs, and birds. You can also enjoy more than 15 native species of butterflies in the Rosine Smith Sammons Butterfly House and Insectarium, as well as many new tropical butterflies. They offer many fun, hands-on environmental education programs for children and adults. What a great place to spend a Saturday enjoying art, flowers, butterflies and fun!

To view more about the exhibit click on the following link: http://www.texasdiscoverygardens.org/upcoming_events.shtml