UNCOMMON THREADS

Guild members Dan Barber, Gayle and Lars Garrison, and Rachel Blumenthal all work with textile arts.  This interview examines their shared and unique experiences in this field.

"I'm always influenced when around other artists to create more."  - Dan Barber

How did you start working with textile (fiber) arts? 

Gayle Garrison: I learned to knit at age 7 from my Mother and continued off and on for many years.  Then, 50 years later, we got llamas and alpacas.  These lovely creatures need to be shorn every spring.  The result was mounds of lovely fiber.  After several years of fiber accumulation, I realized I needed to learn to spin so that I would have yarn to work with.  It is wonderfully satisfying to create yarn from our own animals.  Knitting is an everyday occurrence - I love the natural colors and the softness and warmth of the items I produce.

Dan Barber: I did oils for about 20 years, along with architecture.   I also did scherenschnitte [Pennsylvania-Dutch cut paper art]; I grew up near Doylestown, Pennsylvania.  My wife and I visited the Shelburne Museum, and happened to see a hooked rug wall hangings exhibit.  I thought that would be a medium I would enjoy exploring.  That Christmas I received 400 pounds of recycled wool from my wife!

Rachel Blumenthal: I've always enjoyed the feel, color, softness, and functionality of creating with textiles.  Last year, I took a workshop with crispina ffrench and became inspired to think of ways to recycle textiles into fun clothing that is marketable.

 
How do you create or obtain your raw materials?

Lars Garrison: Our materials are from our own animals with occasional exceptions for some wool, silk or mohair in small amounts for a highlight, texture or strength.  Llama and alpaca fibers are medulated (semi-hollow) fibers, making them one of the most heat retentive fibers available.  About ten years ago we began having all of our annual "clip" dehaired - separating the coarse outer coat from the fine undercoat.  From this we began to produce what we call now Llama Down, which makes ever so satisfying and fine yarn for garments to be worn next to the skin.  This gives the fine, silky feeling, as well the as loft for heat retention.  We sell handspun yarns from both Llama Down and its by product.

Dan Barber: I go Goodwill, or my friends give items to me.  All of it is 100% wool. 

What are some of the techniques you use? 

Gayle Garrison:  Spinning, knitting, weaving wet felting, needle felting.  We began learning felting processes with llama fiber; both wet felting and needle felting.  We have created hats, vests, rugs, wall hangings and crazy needle felted creatures.  Lars especially enjoys needle felting.  Lars also learned to spin, and now has an electric spinner.  His yarn is often thicker and comes from the guard hair of the llamas.  I use his yarn for rugs, and pet and horse leads, as well as stuffed animals.

We also learned to weave with a basic 7' triangle loom, and a 5' square loom.  Blending colors can be very interesting, and the resulting shawls and Afghans are satisfying.  These efforts have become a significant part of our farm income.

Rachel Blumenthal: I've always loved making something out of nothing.  I love making things so that sum is greater than the parts -- things take on a life of their own when pieced together.

Dan Barber: I use a hook on burlap – I do this the same way they did in 1850, using the same – well, maybe a little better -- equipment.  I cut the strips with scissors.

 
What is your favorite piece?  Why?

Dan Barber: The next one!

Gayle Garrison: I made a Llama Down shawl in natural shades of brown, white and tan.  I spun all the yarn from our own animals and did all the weaving.  It reminds me of the animals in the pasture who gave me the fiber in a lovely palette of natural colors.  It now belongs to our oldest granddaughter - a delightful gift to give and receive!

 
How does being a member of the Bennington Arts Guild influence you as a textile artist? 

Gayle and Lars Garrison: As members of the Bennington Arts Guild, we are encouraged by the other artists and learn from their uses of color and creativity.  We are continually producing new items for the Guild Gallery, and find great pleasure when others purchase our llama and alpaca fiber items to use, or give as gifts.  We enjoy and appreciate the exposure that the Guild gives us in a larger venue than we might reach otherwise.

 
Dan Barber: I'm always influenced when around other artists to create more.  One of the things here which was a big influence in me creating new work is our changing window displays – I keep trying to create work that will go along with the window color theme.