Donna Mitchell began weaving as a rug weaver in Northern California in the 1970's.

"I love weaving rugs for their challenge in durability and large design concepts. In the 1980's I learned the wedge-weave technique from weaving instructor Martha Stanley and have found it the most difficult and challenging of the rug techniques."

Wedge-weave was originally an old Navajo technique that was discouraged by the traders who thought the work was misshapen. But it is actually part of the structure of the weave to have scalloped shaped edges. Wedge-weave in an unusual technique in that it is woven on a angle instead of horizontally as in most tapestry. As you build the wedges and weave across the tapestry the warp is pulled at an angle. Generally one then weaves in the opposite direction, and this results in the scalloped edge seen in wedge-weave designs. When the weaving is taken from the loom and allowed to relax the definition in the edges becomes even more pronounced. The technique is also called "pulled warp" or "scalloped" weave.

Since moving to New Mexico in 1991, Donna has become primarily interested in working with color. "I use chemical dyes on various shades of natural wool to produce a variety of colors and combine up to two dozen colors in one weaving. My most recent work is a blend of many colors in angular lines to give a "Dazzler" effect of controlled energy in color and line. I find these unique designs to look as striking on the wall as on the floor."