Description
Weaving is a dynamic dance of tension and release, light and shadow, boldness and subtlety. In this workshop, we will explore the art of balance and equilibrium by experimenting with stripes, contrast, transitions, and gradations in woven textiles. Through hands-on practice, we’ll discover how the placement of lines, the meeting of hues, and the shifts between tones can create compositions that feel harmonious and alive. Working with a small scale and limited color palette, you’ll learn to craft pieces that are both visually striking and deeply meditative. We’ll practice techniques that highlight the power of contrast—juxtaposing light against dark, warm against cool, thick against thin. We’ll also explore how gradations and transitions can move the eye across a woven surface with grace and intention. As we weave, we’ll reflect on the importance of balance not only in our textiles but also in our creative processes and our lives. This workshop invites beginners and experienced weavers alike to embrace the joy of exploration, experiment with new techniques, and find stillness within the rhythm of the warp and weft.
About the Instructor
Carolyn Hazel Drake is a sculptor, arts educator, and third-generation Oregonian based in Phoenix, AZ and Portland, OR. Drake studied English Literature & Architecture at Portland State University’s Honors College and spent a term as a curatorial research & writing intern for the Smithsonian American Art Museum. She has an M.Ed. in Arts Education and was a longtime K-12 public educator and arts administrator in Oregon school districts. She served on the Portland Art Museum Teacher Advisory Council for seven years, and in 2019 was awarded the Distinguished Service to Arts Education by OAEA. In 2022, Carolyn joined the faculty of the School of Art at Arizona State University as an Assistant Teaching Professor for Art Education.
Drake has been awarded the GLEAN residency, the Leland Ironworks Residency, the Suttle Lodge Artist Residency, and the Sitka Center for Art and Ecology residency, and is an active participant in the annual Portland Textile Month. Her work has been shown at Guardino Gallery, Oregon Contemporary, Blackfish Gallery, Hanson Howard, and the Sitka Art Invitational. She is a member of artist-run Carnation Contemporary.
Learn More
carolynhazeldrake.com
Materials List
You will need to bring:
Sharp scissors
Sketchbook or journal
A fork (for beating tapestry)
Favorite pens / pencils
Provided by instructors:
6″ Mirrix Saffron Pocket Loom (for use in class only)
Cotton seine warp
Thread
Wool tapestry yarn in a range of colors
Small ruler
Tapestry needles