Jaime E. Stevens

Guest Artist

Dates: August/September 2022

Amazing Textiles
Please Join us
Opening Night
Friday, August 5th
5 – 9 PM
On display through August
Welcome to Sandstone, Jaime!

ARTIST’S STATEMENT
JAIME E. STEVENS

I have been weaving for over 35 years, but only recently began weaving wall hangings. I began when the covid-19 lockdown occurred when I was looking for things to occupy all the newly-acquired free time. My husband suggested I try some wall hangings.

Once started, I could hardly stop. My hangings are mostly in a technique called “saori,” which is a Japanese Zen term meaning that everything has its own individual dignity. It is a free form style using the plainest weaving, but augmented by other techniques such as inlay, looping, tatter weave, clasped weft, rya knots and the use of a wave stick which creates undulating patterns in the weft. The fibers I use range from wool, cotton and silk to rayon and Tencel and a few synthetic ribbons.

I have always been attracted to working with color and this was the reason I became a weaver in the first place. My inspirations come from many sources, but most of these hangings are inspired by the colors of the natural world or from an intriguing bit of yarn. I use the landscape around me and also work from photographs. Lately I have started embellishing my work with vintage buttons which I have collected over the years.

My scarves, ponchos and shawls are all of my own design and range from a lacy scarf to a warm woolen poncho with a hand-knitted collar.

The act of weaving also appeals to my tactile sense, which is very soothing, and it is very rhythmic when passing the shuttle back and forth. I quite often listen to music of all kinds from jazz to opera when I weave.

SOME OF JAIME’S WORK: