My friend and weaving colleague,
LaDonna Mayer, has done something extraordinary. She set out three and a half years ago to weave a city from each state in the United States. 50 states plus Washington DC meant 51 tapestries.
Here is a little video with a view of her beautiful studio in Santa Fe. Hopefully it gives you something of a feel of what 51 tapestries really is (a lot of work for starters).
She finished this spring. I had the distinct privilege of being at her cutting off ceremony for the last piece, Oklahoma City. Here it is ready to be cut off.
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| LaDonna with Oklahoma City just after it was cut off the loom. |
All the pieces are done with black, white, and shades of gray and hand-dyed by LaDonna. Her palette of grays is gorgeous and includes some blue-gray and green-gray colors.
Seattle may be my favorite of all, though it is difficult to choose.
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| LaDonna Mayer, Seattle, WA |
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| LaDonna Mayer, Charleston, WV |
The details in these pieces are fascinating. For example, look at the lazy lines she used in Providence, RI as well as the beautiful little balconies on the sky scraper.
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| LaDonna Mayer, Providence, RI |
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| LaDonna Mayer, Portland, ME detail |
Congratulations LaDonna!
Seattle may be my favorite of all, though it is difficult to choose.
