“The construction of my vessels begins as a gift from the forest.
The antler’s natural curve, coloration, and texture are taken into consideration
and ignite the potential for a creative vessel to emerge.
Even though some basket designs may be similar
each basket is as unique unto itself as a fingerprint.
Each creation is woven with the boreal forest in mind.
A branch,
the smell of willow,
brightly colored leaves,
the wind passing through trees,
snow sifting from the sky.
Using the inspiration of these simple gifts the result is a vessel of woven nature.
The designs are worked around the uniqueness of the antler as a focal point,
the weave used as a drape to highlight its energy.”
~Jill Choate, Artist
This May, I will be joining fellow basket artists as we learn to weave a contemporary platter with award winning artist, Jill Choate.
I’ve registered to take The Platters Intensive Workshop led by Jill Choate at The Foundry Art Centre!
I’ll even have the option of using an antler in the construction of my platter!
Jill Choate is a nationally renowned fiber artist and instructor known for her ability to “talk to the antler” and weave a vessel around it. Her pioneering efforts incorporating antler into basketry have brought her to the forefront in this venue of contemporary vessel construction. Her efforts in basketry are as well known as are her stories about life in the Alaskan bush. Now based in the Ozarks of Missouri, Jill has lived in remote Alaska for 25 years with her family and sled dog team approximately 150 miles north of Anchorage. The Choate homestead was accessible by snow machine in winter and 4-wheeler in summer and equipped with all the modern "bush" conveniences – like a hand pump and an outhouse. Living in the shadow of Denali with a salmon stream in the front yard and moose and bear for neighbors makes for great reminiscent tales about life in the Last Frontier. Below are just a few images of her amazing basketry work!
To find out more about The Foundry Art Centre, visit their website at www.foundryartcentre.org/.
To learn more about Jill Choate, visit her website at www.jchoatebasketry.com/!
Mary
The antler’s natural curve, coloration, and texture are taken into consideration
and ignite the potential for a creative vessel to emerge.
Even though some basket designs may be similar
each basket is as unique unto itself as a fingerprint.
Each creation is woven with the boreal forest in mind.
A branch,
the smell of willow,
brightly colored leaves,
the wind passing through trees,
snow sifting from the sky.
Using the inspiration of these simple gifts the result is a vessel of woven nature.
The designs are worked around the uniqueness of the antler as a focal point,
the weave used as a drape to highlight its energy.”
~Jill Choate, Artist
This May, I will be joining fellow basket artists as we learn to weave a contemporary platter with award winning artist, Jill Choate.
I’ve registered to take The Platters Intensive Workshop led by Jill Choate at The Foundry Art Centre!
I’ll even have the option of using an antler in the construction of my platter!
Jill Choate is a nationally renowned fiber artist and instructor known for her ability to “talk to the antler” and weave a vessel around it. Her pioneering efforts incorporating antler into basketry have brought her to the forefront in this venue of contemporary vessel construction. Her efforts in basketry are as well known as are her stories about life in the Alaskan bush. Now based in the Ozarks of Missouri, Jill has lived in remote Alaska for 25 years with her family and sled dog team approximately 150 miles north of Anchorage. The Choate homestead was accessible by snow machine in winter and 4-wheeler in summer and equipped with all the modern "bush" conveniences – like a hand pump and an outhouse. Living in the shadow of Denali with a salmon stream in the front yard and moose and bear for neighbors makes for great reminiscent tales about life in the Last Frontier. Below are just a few images of her amazing basketry work!
To find out more about The Foundry Art Centre, visit their website at www.foundryartcentre.org/.
To learn more about Jill Choate, visit her website at www.jchoatebasketry.com/!
Mary
Uni-pod
Double Wall Pocket
Tri-pod
Double Dog Leg
