By NVOS artist Karen Lynn Ingalls
NVOS artist Barbara Stafford weaves rugs inspired by natural animal fibers and the animals they come from. In fact, it was raising sheep that started Barbara on the textile path.
Barbara's inspiration begins with, and comes from, the animals themselves, whether camels, llamas, buffalos, goats, or sheep – or something even more exotic. Each animal's fibers, with its natural colors and textures, provide unique yarns.
She begins with each animal's fibers, prepares them and then spins them by hand into the yarn. Sometimes she dyes the handspun yarn with natural dyes. As she takes the fibers, with their natural colors and textures, through the whole process, finally weaving them by hand, the character of each animal becomes the focus of each design. Finally, the simple designs are honored with careful finishing details.
Barbara has won several awards and many ribbons, and has had her work published in national spinning and weaving magazines. Her work has been shown in numerous juried and group shows across the country, and is in the collection of the di Rosa Art Preserve as well as many private collections.
When you visit Barbara's converted garage studio during Open Studios, you will see the tools of a serious weaver, including a sturdy rug loom, a smaller loom for weaving lighter weight fabrics, and a variety of tools ("and confusion," she adds).
She will set up a small loom on the patio for wanna-be weavers to try their hand at throwing a shuttle. She will also have a display of fibers used in her rugs, such as camel, mohair, horse, and various breeds of sheep. She will also show finished rugs and a selection of scarves – all atStudio #9, 1520 Seminary Street, in Napa, California.
You can also see Barbara's weavings online at:www.barbarastafford.net.
Karen Lynn Ingalls writes for this blog and our Facebook page (seen it yet?) and paints, paints, paints. You can see her artwork during Open Studios at Studio #48 west of Calistoga, and online at www.KarenLynnIngalls.com. She also teaches art classes and workshops, which you can find at www.NapaValleyArtWorkshops.com.
