|
Our designing has really no rhyme or reason. We consider ourselves eclectic. Our diversity keeps us interested in tackling these time consuming projects. Here goes the process...oh, let me say this first, we usually get stuck in ideas that seem to have to run their course. Our current example is band work, since it is still running its course in the studio. Our design process is the same whether it be a modern, western, abstract design (our artistic preference seems be always changing). The beginning is based around either a color pallet or a motif. We prefer to design around a motif and work in black and white and then, add color in the end. We use graph paper in our simple design technique since the weave structure is made up of intersecting lines. Once we have placed the motif it usually takes on a life of its own, repeating, building and changing into what we are seeing at the time. If this sounds confusing, it is truly a spontaneous process and comes from what we are feeling at that particular moment. After the design is finished we play around with many different color pallets because color changes the perception of the piece.
Our technique has progressed over the last 12 years. In the beginning, our base weave structure was very standardized with a four shaft loom. We were confined by what our loom could make and had to design around that. Quickly, we decided to get a loom that could allow us to expand our designs. This lead us to an eight shaft loom and, guess what, that didn’t keep us occupied for long, either. It did allow us to develop our block weaving skills, though. We were able to purchase a shaft switching device in 2000. This gave us the ability to expand our design work but did limit us to two colored rugs and a big dent size. Now, we have designed our own shaft switching device and we have added Navajo style tapestry for color and reduced the dent size. We are producing rugs that are woven to 40 picks per inch (Picks per inch (ppi) tells the quality of any hand woven rug) and we are not limited by color or design.
When Mari asked me this question, my mind went directly to American craftsmanship. We take great pride in our workmanship. We have never built a piece thinking, "How much money can we make?" Our main objective has always been, “How can we make this special?” Best fiber, warp, design, technique etc. is exactly how we did this. I will say this, over the past 12 years we have learned and improved – our tapestry has become more intricate, our dent is smaller, our rugs are beaten tighter. We are always progressing which, we believe, is the basis of American Craftsmanship. We take pride in the uniqueness and quality of our work. Even though, we do not like to use “One of a Kind”, we rarely have interest in weaving the same rug twice. This is how we define art. We feel our rugs have individuality, American craftsmanship, quality materials, and cutting edge techniques. Our rugs are woven to last a lifetime.
-Wade Truitt and T3 Weavers
|
