Donna Contractor is a self-taught tapestry weaver. Her work does not portray the traditional medieval scene, but rather abstract landscapes and seascapes in vibrant colors. Her pieces range from 13" x 27" to 8' x 6'.
Contractor started out more than 14 years ago as an apprentice to a fabric weaver. Her goal was to become a production weaver. However, the work of a production weaver was so fast-paced, she looked for other ways to use her talents.
Contractor demonstrates her technique. Inspiration for her work often comes from landscapes in New Mexico. She creates the illusion of soft skies and landscapes framed in hard achitectural forms.
Contractor threads her loom with very fine, but very strong Swedish cotton, which serves as a warp--a series of threads that hold the colored yarn in place. She uses wool yarn to weave images of landscapes.
Contractor gives tips for the beginning tapestry weaver:
- Draw a pattern on graph paper for your work before weaving it. This will allow the tapestry to be more precise.
- Try to find original inspiration for your weaving. Avoid copying styles from other artists.
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