26 - Elizabeth Merrill
1656 Tyler Street
Port Townsend, WA 98368
Telephone: 360.385.5134
ebmerrill@earthlink.net
Hand dyed jacket and boa scarf
Demonstration:
Dobby loom in a working weaving and dying studio producing scarves, shawls, jackets, rag rugs. Also, some vintage kimonos and haoris from my collection will be for sale.
Directions to studio:
From Aldirch’s: East on Lawrence 1 block to Taylor. Left (north) on Taylor all the way up the hill to Sather Park and Cosgrove Street. Left (west) on Cosgrove, which turns and becomes Tyler. 1 block to Tyler and Foster. Park on Foster (no turnaround on Tyler), walk up ½ block to 1656 on right.
Artist statement:
I believe the best pieces should be for everyday use.
I weave textiles – jackets, scarves, shawls, sweaters – that I hope are technically perfect, aesthetically interesting, comfortable, easy to wear and feel beautiful in, and durable enough to last a lifetime.
Sometimes I start with white yarn, dye it in a pattern so that subtle colors blend and shift and shimmer in the final piece. Sometimes I do the color blending with commercially dyed yarns. I play complex weave structures against plainweave, structure against color changes, shiny rayon against textured cottons and smooth wool. I do each part of the work myself, from daydreaming the design to sewing on a label. I dye, I weave, I wash, I sew. At the end of the process I put out into the world a piece both wearable and special, to be much worn and enjoyed.