Combining the hand processes of weaving, knitting, felting and quilting with the natural fibers of yarn and fabric, Linda Brown creates beautiful pieces of artwork and home decor textiles to last for generations.
Combining the hand processes of weaving, knitting, felting and quilting with the natural fibers of yarn and fabric, Linda Brown creates beautiful pieces of artwork and home decor textiles to last for generations.
I am drawn to natural fibers, yarn and fabric and the pure, tactile nature of them. I enjoy the processes of weaving, knitting, felting and quilting.
For me, the steps of making and transforming the material into a new, beautiful, useful article is extremely gratifying. The line between what is art and what is craft is often blurred in the pieces I create - is it a wall-piece or a rug?
Most of my textile pieces involve the use of color to a large degree. I am influenced by the Bauhaus School and Anni and Josef Albers. They both used color and natural materials in inventive ways. Anni designed and wove textiles that were functional yet beautiful. The textiles reflected the natural beauty of the yarn and weave structures. Many of her textiles look as vibrant and modern today as when they were created. I like the idea of a handmade fabric or quilt that is revered and used for years.
The rugs are hand knit using many strands of wool or other natural fiber yarn. Some of the yarn colors I hand dye with natural or chemical dyes to get the exact color I am seeking.
Often, I used tea or other natural dyes to color the yarns in unique hues. The rugs are then felted 3-4 times to get the thickness and blurred color effect.
The end products are extremely durable and are washable.
Most of the rugs use 100% linen warp yarns and Pendleton wool scraps from blankets for the weft. They are very durable and washable as well.
I spend time sorting the colors and fabric strips before I weave each rug so although they look quite random, there is design element and planning involved. The idea of re-using the fabric balls that are made of discarded material speaks to the historic idea of rag rugs. I like the idea of not wasting any raw materials and re-purposing them for another generation to enjoy.
These can be wall hangings, table runners or rugs depending on the weight of the yarn used. The warp yarns are painted with dyes, dried and rinsed.
The loom is dressed with painted warp yarns and then woven with a solid weft , allowing the yarns to be very densely packed and to create a textured surface for the painted yarn effect.
