Pamela Shanley
Why Textile Art? Pam Shanley
I am a self-taught fiber art textile enthusiast. Professionally, I am educator and librarian. As a fiber artist, I weave textiles, spin yarn, indigo dye yarn and cloth, felt wool items, sew coiled bowls, machine sew and create items to wear or decorate. Teaching others is also a part of my journey in textiles.
Most recently I was an artisan at Middleton Place Historical Gardens in South Carolina from where I just moved. Over the years, I have participated in numerous exhibits and art shows and did demonstrations of weaving, felting and spinning. Most recently I was able to showcase my variety of textiles in Charleston, South Carolina. I have participated in art guilds in several states as I moved with careers. I have settled here to be with family.
When if think of textiles and fibers I wonder about the ancient people who saw the potential of a long vine, a dried leaf, roots of plants, hair and animal fiber, and bark from a tree. What did they do with these materials?
Fibers clothed ancient cultures, fed them, made houses, kept them warm, celebrated life and showed their status. Is this any different today?
Weaving is in my DNA. Recent family generations were weavers out of necessity. They lived in a region that supported sheep and had access to an incredible amount of amazing mountain streams and green grass which gave the fiber quality and strength.
My designs incorporate color and mathematics. I like math when it answers design questions. I love color when it brings out the best of my ideas.
And I want others to wonder. How did you make this? What can you make?
I am a self-taught fiber art textile enthusiast. Professionally, I am educator and librarian. As a fiber artist, I weave textiles, spin yarn, indigo dye yarn and cloth, felt wool items, sew coiled bowls, machine sew and create items to wear or decorate. Teaching others is also a part of my journey in textiles.
Most recently I was an artisan at Middleton Place Historical Gardens in South Carolina from where I just moved. Over the years, I have participated in numerous exhibits and art shows and did demonstrations of weaving, felting and spinning. Most recently I was able to showcase my variety of textiles in Charleston, South Carolina. I have participated in art guilds in several states as I moved with careers. I have settled here to be with family.
When if think of textiles and fibers I wonder about the ancient people who saw the potential of a long vine, a dried leaf, roots of plants, hair and animal fiber, and bark from a tree. What did they do with these materials?
Fibers clothed ancient cultures, fed them, made houses, kept them warm, celebrated life and showed their status. Is this any different today?
Weaving is in my DNA. Recent family generations were weavers out of necessity. They lived in a region that supported sheep and had access to an incredible amount of amazing mountain streams and green grass which gave the fiber quality and strength.
My designs incorporate color and mathematics. I like math when it answers design questions. I love color when it brings out the best of my ideas.
And I want others to wonder. How did you make this? What can you make?
