During this Winter Solstice week, the amount of daylight here in the southern Rocky Mountains is decreasing by roughly 18 seconds a day.  For us, sunset today will be at 4:53 p.m.  All of nature feels the change, and, as humans, we feel the lack of daylight too.  But the trend reverses itself on Saturday, the 21st of December - Solstice - when those of us in the northern hemisphere will begin to see subtle changes as the days become slightly longer and lighter.    

As we await those extra minutes of daylight, there are always things that can be done indoors, including weaving and all kinds of art and writing. And those of us who consider ourselves artists continue doing art, whatever it may be, year round.  Among other things I was doing this week, was photographing Fred's latest weaving, Rug 414.  But first, I am including photographs of the process, in addition to images of Fred's latest work.

Regardless of my attempts to explain how Fred warps the loom (which can frequently be a full contact sport) it is a difficult process to describe. Quite frankly, if I did not live in the same house as a weaver, I would be clueless.  So I offer the photograph below as yet another effort to show how the process of warping is done.  He loads enough wool onto the loom for four rugs.  The warp hangs over the balustrade, and into the living room as the loom is loaded.   

Weaving - warping the loom

The process is the ultimate in isometric exercise.  Here, Fred is doing the final part of warping the loom which is attaching the warp ends to the front or breast beam.  

Weaving - dressing the loom 2 2024

Weaving - dressing the loom 1 2024
 

Weaving - dressing the loom 3 2024

All of the rugs here are made of 100% Navajo-Churro wool, both warp and weft.   

Rug 411, in the style of the Navajo Chiefs blanket

Rug 411

Rug 412 in progress on the loom

Rug 412 detail 2

Completed Rug 412, in Fred's own style, is an homage to the work of  Josef Albers and the Bauhaus movement
Rug 412

Rug 413, below, uses five different natural greys, a natural black, and Sangre de Cristo red (dyed)

Rug 413

Rug 414, fresh off the loom

Rug 414

It was great to hear from Jean & Sam, Marilyn G., Barbara F. R., Orlando, Charleen, Victoria, Steve, and Catherine this week.  May the Solstice and the ever-so-subtle change in daylight make your spirits soar!

until next Monday,

DB

a passion for the image©