Butterfield Park
Butterfield Park

Connie Enzmann-Forneris

Connie's inspirations include the natural elements and the materials themselves. The patterns of land forms echo in the design of her rugs. The atmospheric elements also play a role in color and mood. The natural materials of linen and wool inspire her today as they did the journeyman weavers who produced coverlets woven in a natural linen warp and a colored wool weft. She aspires to combine their high level of craftsmanship with the heavier weight of yarns to weave a durable and flexible rug; both functional and beautiful.

The innovations she adds are the spontaneous and free methods of dyeing the weft yarn. She moves the resist-tied skeins covered with tape, plastic, clamps, and found objects through a succession of dye baths with an eye toward a contemporary color scheme. Although on occasion she uses plant-based 'natural' dyes, the largest proportion of color comes from today's synthetic acid and fiber-reactive dyes.

She thanks her involvement with the weaver's guild system in the USA. As a member and often a workshop leader she learns on a continuing basis. Sharing her passion for the structure of weaving with other hand weavers is both stimulating and satisfying.

Connie Enzmann-Forneris was Weaving Southwest's featured tapestry artist for April 2008.

Other works by this artist:

(Click on any image to see larger version, or to view full slideshow.)

Cats Citrus Mix Sky City Villaneuvo Harvest at Verlarde Inner Gate Picketwire Canyonlands Rocks Out of Place Three Buttes Taos Sunset Crownpoint Red Willow Springs Mosquito Ridge Stars Earth Five Meetings Brown Ranch Bright and CLear Yowling Cat Cimarron Canyon Abstract Glyph