Welcome to Mirrix’s Second Ambassador: Maryanne Moodie

The Mirrix Looms Ambassador program hopes to unite Mirrix Looms (both the company and the products) with talented bead and tapestry weavers from around the world. By connecting these gifted artists, quality weaving equipment and the networks of both, the hope is to simultaneously increase awareness of each ambassador and of Mirrix products.

Each ambassador will have a unique role, but you can expect instructional blog posts, project ebooks, inspiration and more from these amazing artists.

Today, we are very excited to introduce our second Mirrix Looms Ambassador, Maryanne Moodie. You can learn more about Maryanne and see her work here.

Following is our interview with her:

How long have you been weaving and how did you get into it?

About 3 years. I started weaving as a way to enjoy my time at home as I was preparing to have my first baby.  I found a loom in the art store room at school and it was being thrown out so I saved it and just had a go at home.  At first I didn’t even have any yarn so i just used jute and waxed neon string.  I was pretty proud of myself.

Do you have any formal weaving or tapestry training or are you self-taught?’

I am self taught – lots of vintage weaving books.

Are you involved with any other fiber arts?  And if so, which fiber art form first interested you?

Weaving is the only fibre art that I create.  I have always had a love of vintage textiles and fibres. I used to buy and sell them and i think that is what led me to weaving.

One of the goals of Mirrix’s Ambassador Program is to highlight weavers who can inspire those unaware (or under-aware) of the craft of tapestry. How do you feel you have inspired new tapestry weavers? 

I hope that I have been able to show how accessible it can be.  I have had no formal training and yet I am able to create pieces that make me happy and fulfil a need in me. Working in woven tapestries can be as simple or as complicated as you choose.  I also hope that I encourage each student to bring out their own voice in their weaving.  In my classes I try to give them the bricks and mortar of skills and watch as each of them ‘build their own houses’ – they always come out differently.

As a tapestry teacher, what aspects of the medium do you find the most difficult/most fun.

I love the classes where we get to experiemnt with different fibres – horse hair, gold leather, feathers and hand spun and un spun fibres.  You really get to see the students thinking less about trying to get things perfect and geometric.  They begin to ‘feel’ their pieces, put their ego to the side and allow the materials to guide the direction of the piece.

How important is it for you to work in tapestry (rather than another medium)? Is it something you can see shifting over time or do you feel that you’ve found your visual voice with tapestry?

I love working in tapestry.  I feel like there is so much scope for growth.  Very few of my pieces are the same and I enjoy pushing myself in some way every time I sit down to a new piece or collection.  

How do you choose your materials? Do you ever mix media when you weave? 

I choose my materials before planning a piece.  I like to let the materials decide how the piece will evolve.  I always mix different types of yarns, fibres and materials. I find that is the best way to achieve a new and interesting direction,

Do you ever dye and/or spin your yarn?

No, but I would love to learn!

At any given time, how many pieces are you normally working on?

Usually 3-4.  I have lots of looms!

How would you describe your aesthetic when it comes to weaving?

I like really textural pieces with either bold colour combinations or a strong geometric element.  

What are your goals as an artist over the next year, five years, ten years, etc.? 

I want to collaborate with artists from other disciplines to create sculptural 3D pieces.  I want to work with people who are passionate about creating pieces that will stand the test of time and speak with a new voice.