Sarah H. Jackson, Textile Artist: Color in Crackle

Wednesday, November 17, 2010

Color in Crackle

The weave structures study group I belong to spent some time last year exploring crackle, a structure renamed by Mary M. Atwater who thought the Swedish name Jamtlandsvav was "to English speaking people something of a mouthful" and "because of the background effect which somewhat resembles the crackle in pottery." (Quote from Mastering Weave Structures by Sharon Alderman.)

While I don't quite see the pottery connection, I love weaving crackle because of the opportunities for mixing colors. I've been experimenting with different palettes and it has been a great color exercise as I've woven the fabric for these small shoulder bags. In the series shown here, there are four colors in the warp, then those same colors in the weft plus a fifth. The fifth color changes in each bag resulting in striking differences in the overall look. The button loops and straps are made with the fifth color.

These bags will soon be in my Etsy shop: http://www.etsy.com/shop/SarahHJackson

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Welcome!

Artist Statement:
Handweaving, simple or elaborate; it all begins with one thread. To sit at  my loom and throw the shuttle while witnessing the interplay of color,  pattern, and texture as it develops into cloth is endlessly fascinating.
My design process often centers on color as I work within the limitations  of the loom to stretch and explore the possibilities of color interaction.
At other times I focus on the combination of structure and fiber, using  only one or two colors, to create the desired cloth.
Whether designing for the home or one-of-a-kind garments, my weaving  reflects a passion for marrying structure, fiber, and color to produce  cloth that is unique, practical, beautiful, and just right for my intended  purpose.

About Me

An early interest in art and textiles led me to the University of Kansas where I earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts with emphasis in textile design. I started weaving again in 2005 after an almost twenty year hiatus. Some of the things I did during that time include working for a publishing company designing and writing pattern instruction for knitwear, quilting, home schooling my son, and volunteering as a Stephen minister in my church. I am passionate about weaving (everyday, if possible!), color, and texture. When not weaving, I enjoy reading, gardening, and bike riding.

I have had numerous designs published in Handwoven magazine. In January, 2012, I joined their editorial team as a technical editor, and in January, 2015, I was offered the job of weaving editor.