Summer is coming. I’m sure of it mostly because it is raining and not snowing here in Colorado now. I love taking whatever time I can in the summer and heading to the mountains with my notebook and a loom. I’ve been talking about my practice of sketch tapestry on this blog for many years now. I make small tapestries about something I’ve seen or experience. I find that the practice of really looking at something and then weaving about it makes me pay attention instead of just rushing blindly through life. The inspirations I’ve woven something about are things that I remember months and years later.
I don’t weave the sort of tapestry diary where one weaves something every day, though there are many people who that works well for. I tend to weave these sketch tapestries when I’m on a trip, camping or hiking, or at an artist residency. I love the process of finding something I’m interested in, perhaps researching it a bit more, and then weaving a very simple tapestry about it.
Tapestry weaving can quickly become an art form full of rules and perhaps tinged with perfectionism. I am as guilty of allowing perfectionism to rule my head and work as the next person. I find that sketch tapestry helps me get out of my head and spend time just enjoying the process of weaving tapestry.
I have put together a mini-course to introduce sketch tapestry to you. I run a longer online course every summer called Summer of Tapestry and this mini course is the first and perhaps most important exercise in that course. I’m offering it to you for free in the hopes that you’ll spend some time relaxing with your tapestry loom this summer (or winter if you’re in the southern hemisphere!).
Rebecca Mezoff, Owen Mountain. Sketch tapestry example from Hambidge residency in Georgia.
The image is from an artist residency I did at Hambidge in Georgia some years ago. I climbed to the top of this little mountain and watched the light changing through the trees. I didn’t have these blue-gray yarns with me on that trip, so I used oranges instead. And you know, I still remember that hike really well. Not only do I remember sitting here and watching the trees and the sky, but I remember how difficult the trail was to follow so early in the season before anyone had cleared the leaves off it and what a great sense of adventure it was even though the top was probably not more than a mile from my cabin at Hambidge.
Whether you decide to take the full Summer of Tapestry course or not, I hope this mini-course helps shake loose some sketch tapestries as you enjoy the warmer days of summer.
I’d love to see what you’re weaving! Tag me on Instagram or Facebook or use the hashtag #summeroftapestry. Let’s weave!
Rosie models for a sketch tapestry last summer. This example was part of Summer of Tapestry 2022.
Did you take Summer of Tapestry in 2022? Are you planning on joining me again in 2023? Registration is open right HERE. The content is completely new and you don’t have to have taken the first season to participate.
If you joined me for the 2022 class, tell us your experience in the comments!
Have a wonderful wander and enjoy those sketch tapestries.