| Born in Washington, DC, Dick Shea wove his first pieces on the production looms at Berea College in Kentucky, while working toward a degree in psychology. Dick delved into many careers, which included systems analyst and computer programmer, as well as managing, counseling and supervising in retreat centers. It was in New Mexico, however, that fiber art became the focal point of his life.
"Mesmerized and love-struck with the enchanted Southwest at the age of 8 while traveling with the family; I was compelled to return over and over during the years, finally settling in 1981 where the heart said was home...the mountains and vistas of New Mexico."
Dick Shea's weavings are large, his designs expansive, and his colors dramatic. He creates the rugs and wall hangings on a 70" wide custom-built Edwards loom. The works are totally original one-of-a-kind pieces, using natural fibers "attempting to capture the graceful motion and excitement of landscape meeting skyscape, utilizing the exquisite hues, shapes, and expansiveness of the Southwest". Technically speaking, Dick creates his own colors in the dyepot, carefully and mathematically planning out the dye colors on each individual skein so that as the length of yarn is woven into the warp, the design emerges. This very exacting and difficult technique is similar to ikat, and Dick uses it to achieve unusual, amorphous images which reflect the spatial feelings of the New Mexico landscape.
Dick has won numerous awards in exhibitions all over the Southwest. A major work of his was purchased by the Roswell Museum for their permanent collection in 1989. He lives and works in Taos.
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