Loraine Stillman
"My Mantle"
 (Photo by Tom Caroll) |
 (Photo by Tom Caroll) |
 (Photo by Charles Fyer) |
To create my mantle, I had to turn inward. I evaluated the woman I am and determined who and what is important to me. My first ideas did not succeed. My final design came with the realization that my life is a CRAZY QUILT. As I have very limited time, I could not weave my background fabric. Instead, I wove small samples, variations on a threading. Some samples I kept in plain weave, so I could add photo transfers and imprint some of my etching plates. My overall design succeeded only when I took each piece and played with it individually – embellishing with beads, metallic threads, etc., until it worked with my theme and represented me. Everything was a new and educating experience. What was to be wearable became an art piece. Not surprising, considering the fact that I am a working artist.