Back in the Fall Semester of 2016, I took the Fibers and Related Media class at Marywood as a part of my curriculum. For my final project, I challenged myself to create a small area rug by weaving it on the table loom. During the class, we had created sample weavings and I wanted to push myself further and create a whole rug.

Here is the rug that I made, which hung in the senior show.

Image and Loom available on Etsy.

Fast forward to a few months ago, I decided that it was time to start weaving again. For my birthday in March, my boyfriend bought me a lap loom weaving set off of Esty. It included the weaving frame, a stand, two shuttle sticks to weave with, a heddle bar to help create the pattern, and a wooden comb to tighten the weaving.

I have been following several fiber artists on Instagram for months who have used similar looms and finally had my own to start weaving with. I knew from that point that for my European Art Study Tour class trip to Italy this Spring Break, I would have to use my loom to recreate my experiences! I plan to create many more.

The weaving that I have begun is inspired by Tintoretto’s “Lamentation Over the Dead Adonis” and the strangely intriguing darkly painted shadows that frame each of the 8 paintings on display in the Civic Museum of Padua, Giardini dell’Arena, which also houses Giotto’s Scrovengi Chapel.

On lap looms, like the one that I have, it is imperative to understand that what is seen to the artist as he or she is weaving is the backside of the piece.  I have also chosen a very organic flow for this work and had to weave it upside down to get the tapered effect that I wanted.

I will not post pictures of the final product because this weaving will be on display at the Workshop, on Adams, this First Friday in Scranton, PA. Come see the finished product in person and while you’re there stop by the Electric City Escape to help support Marywood’s 2018 Zeta Omicron Empty Bowl Project!

*Feature Photo from Etsy.