Beth Emmott | artist

Little Looms

November 29th, 2016

Working for the Little Loom tapestry workshop. Ordered an 8 dent regular size Hokett Loom. Jim Hokett makes these looms in wonderful dramatic woods but I wanted one that wouldn’t distract from the weaving I was working on and he sent me this wonderful birds eye maple loom. I LOVE IT!

First tapestry attempt with my new little loom.

This first project is of a path among cranberry bogs in NJ. I made a simple sketch and redrew it on the warp. I used yarns from my existing stash and tried to match the weights by combining some and using others as singles. Once off the loom and finished the weaving will be about 2.5“ x 3“. There are some issues with it but for a first attempt I’m pleased.

Back to Work

November 21st, 2016

Need to get back to work. This has not been a pleasant month. Been doing things I can do by rote, dealing with my classes and students, and taking more long walks in the woods.

Signed up for a workshop on little looms with Rebecca Mezoff. Got inspired after doing the small weaving with the dyed yarns I had used to wrap my fabric bundles and while I’m pleased with my result I realize I need a whole lot of brushing up—also for some reason I’m terrible with half hitches… Seem simple enough when I try them in an isolated situation but then on the loom…. think it just takes doing, and doing and doing – like everything else.
Some of the students in this course are posting beautiful work…got my work cut out for me.

I’m starting with the small frame I used with the dyed handspun and have ordered a sm Hokett Loom which should arrive this week. That’s exciting. Long story short—workshops always shake me out of a bad place and get me going. So here’s hoping it helps now.

Starting anew and finishing up the old

I’m also finishing up the looooong green warp I have on the loom using the Moorman Technique – which is sloooow for me and I’m getting back to my stitches.

Oh, and working on some drawing. Here is the start of a charcoal drawing of leaves— from the long walks in the woods.
and then there’s my painting…

Drawing class-Color

November 18th, 2016

One of my favorite exercises I have my drawing students do is to draw/paint with watercolors a set up of white objects with colored gels on the lights. It adds to the study and observation of values, helping to train their eye to see what they see and not what they think they know is there. It’s also pretty and a bit dramatic.

Color set up for my drawing class at philadelphia University.

Tree Bark

November 7th, 2016

Trees have the most wonderful Bark textures. This month we visited Double Trouble State Park in NJ. It has old abanded cranberry bogs, dark cedar water and texture upon texture. The last two of these images are from that trip. It got me thinking of the many photographs I have done of close up of trees over the years. Next Pattern Observer posted a request for inspirational images with the hashtag #POinspitation.

This reminded me of the wonderful bark I saw years ago at the New York Botanical Gardens with its soft colors and pealing layers. When looking for it I came up with others including this poor bumpy tree in the Wissahickon Trail where we walk many mornings. These are a few of many.

This shaggy image with its face of an old bearded man with his stubby nose and the peeling Birch in Maine are favs.

These are the two from last weeks trip to Double Trouble that started this barky trip. Lichen covers so many trees and is supposed to be a sample of clean air – one can hope. Such a wonderful world.

Susquehanna Center for the Creative Arts Gallery

October 29th, 2016

Very fun seeing Jay Fuhrman and his work at Susquehanna Center for the Creative Arts Gallery opening last night in Columbia, PA. Jay’s piece, “Phoenix Burning/Renewing” holds center stage.

Phoenix Burning/Renewing” by Jay Fuhrman

This is the Jay of Jay’s Rusty Bits!!!!

Columbia is a bit of a schlep from Phila but it was a beautiful fall day and we left a bit early to buy little pumpkins and cookies at “Hoovers”, one of our fav market stands out that way. Always up for a ride on a beautiful fall day in the Lancaster country side.

Textures on my Walk

October 14th, 2016

Love getting up early and going for a walk. Usually in the Wissahicken Valley right here in Germantown, Philadelphia. Never know you are in a major city. Signs of fall everywhere but lots of summer hanging on. Textures everywhere – these are just a few.

Fallen leaves on the bridge path

Leaves changing, red berries and needles on path

Bridge made of stone – moss still bright green.