First Installation
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And then it was time to install my first commission. I am honored and very excited to have my piece in this beautifully curated home.
Encounter with Magda
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Today I had a privilege of meeting Magdalena Sielicka, an accomplished Polish weaver. This meeting was completely accidental as we came to explore “Zagroda Guciów,” our last stop before leaving Roztocze. I knew there was tapestry art there but did not anticipate at all to meet Magda, see her beautiful work, and studio. She was touched by my reaction seeing all this and we both felt and named an instant emotional connection. She told me about her work, history of weaving in this region of Poland, and the efforts she put in to find and preserve old folk works banned during the Communist regime. Along with her two daughters she continues creating. It was amazing to chat with her and share my own work with her…I am quite touched how weaving has been with me during this trip…I feel even more connected to it even though I’m away from the loom!
Another return
It’s time to take a pause from weaving. I am going home. “Home,” is such a relative term. As an immigrant I have many homes, or perhaps places that feel like home. Poland, however is where my heart is. The attachment to places where I grew up and sensory memories imprinted deep down are not comparable to any other place. As my son would say, “It makes me warm inside.”
Ocean
Every winter I need my ocean fix. Minnesota winters are long, cold, and dark. By February they seem even longer. So I leave.
It’s a privilege, I know. One that I’m deeply grateful for. It’s not the beach but the ocean itself that I find myself longing for.
It’s vastness, the sound of the waves, and all of the unknown that it embodies, all its secrets and life. This piece is inspired by one such trip.
Exploring texture
I have been experimenting a bit lately. Felted yarn has been quite a treat. It’s always such a discovery process to see how the fibers will guide me.
Furry friends
I just have to introduce them! They are Henry and Tola and I love them to pieces!
It is done!
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Here it is! All done! It was quite exciting to hold in mind the beautifully curated home it will hang in.
Ahhh, I do have to complain a bit though! The lack of light in MN during winter is relentless. It’s so hard to take photos reflecting an accurate color palette.
A little warmer
After a recent Spring Break trip to Aruba, I found myself longing for some warmer colors.
“Earthy” colors are probably my favorite ones to work with. They remind me of home, Amber being one of the most popular gem stones.
Anyway, stay tuned I returned with lots of new ideas inspired by Aruba’s turquoise waters! It’s going to get tropical!
First Commission
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Process…I’m working on my first international commission. The client wanted rolling meadows, “organic and natural flow,” with color palette of white, black, green, and accents of gold.
Long Awaited…
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A long awaited trip back home. Poland is so beautiful but of course I am biased! By the way there is nothing more delicious than pierogi made with your beloved grandma and wild blueberries. Clearly, it was time to take a break from weaving!
Studying the Fibers
And here it is…my first “earthy” piece.
I am mostly exploring, still learning, and having fun with texture of all the fibers.
Since the time I started tapestry making, I’ve noticed seeing much more around me.
Looking at my surroundings differently. A familiar feeling, being attuned to details that we take for granted and so often miss.
Weaving…The beginnings
It all begins with an idea.
I’ve always flirted with art. Just flirted…Over the years it was drawing, pottery, photography, mosaic. Then, life became busy and art became a luxury. I discovered weaving by accident, a Community Ed class I was going to take with a friend. The class was cancelled but my passion was ignited. I spent countless hours watching tutorials, reading blogs, taking photos and carefully examining every detail of woven threads, and practicing…A LOT. The more I did it, the more I didn’t want to stop.
Then Weaving Thursdays were born.
Why Thursdays you ask? My only day of peace and quiet, when I get to put aside psychology, and my son is at school. I connected with weaving on so many personal levels. You can read more about these reflections here.
This here is one of my first pieces in process.