In 2020 I viewed this video from the Burke Museum (Seattle, WA) about Native American basket weaving. (I don’t know why it is starting in the middle – go back to the beginning to see the full video.) The spokesperson was Celeste Whitewolf of the Cayuse, Nez Perce, Karuk, and Nisqually tribes. I hadn’t done much weaving before but I became enthralled and went on to develop a weaving unit for my art classes – taught remotely at the time. I used the video of Ms. Whitewolf as my “artist of the week,” and each time I watched I became inspired. It is no exaggeration to say this video is partly responsible for me taking my deep dive into weaving with single use plastic.

When I retired I researched Ms. Whitewolf and was thrilled to discover she was teaching classes in the Portland area. It took a few times, complicated by COVID related cancellations, but I finally got the chance to take a class with her last month. I was a little out of my league, as it was an “advanced pattern” class. Although I have made MANY baskets by now, I had very little experience in twining, the technique we would be using. I wasn’t really sure if I qualified for an advanced class! However, it fit my schedule, had openings and learning about patterns was what I thought would best serve me. So I bit the bullet and committed to a two day class in Portland.

I was on a steep learning curve! Twining is the technique I use for my rugs on the nail loom, but we were using much smaller material and not working on a loom. Luckily I am a pretty quick study and was able to catch on fairly quickly. Some of the weavers in the class were very familiar with the technique but others, while having more weaving experience than myself, were also learning how to twine off of a loom. It was hard work and required quite a bit of concentration. The work space was hushed as we worked to create the start of a flat bag. We had quite a bit to do before we could even start working on the patterning part of the lesson!

But in spite of the challenge, and largely because Ms. Whitewolf set a tone of collaboration, it wasn’t stressful. The space was quiet but collegial and everyone felt comfortable sharing frustrations and solutions. Ms. Whitewolf was the leader, but we all learned from each other as well. In fact, one of the techniques that is most applicable to my work in plastic, I learned from a fellow student. He knew a way of twining in different colors and switching off the colors in a way that even Ms. Whitewolf had never seen.

I am self taught – or more accurately “YouTube taught.” It was interesting to see in some cases, though what I was doing wasn’t technically wrong, it was more awkward than the more standard way. Without the interaction with other weavers, I would continue to make things harder than they need to be!

Transferable skills

I had been in touch with Ms. Whitewolf before and since we were finally meeting in person, she encouraged me to bring some of my work to share with her and the others. Everyone was very gracious and interested in what I was doing. Some people had stories about seeing similar work, though none had worked with plastic themselves. I hope I sowed a seed and maybe they will consider using it in their work in the future.

As I had anticipated, there were several very transferable skills and techniques. Even though our different materials carry different unique challenges, the approach toward creating patterns is much the same. Because I learned the patterning techniques using twining, I know my first steps in more advanced patterns will be on my loomed rugs. I think once I grow some proficiency with those I will be able to carry the idea to my coil baskets.

My takeaway from the weekend

My biggest takeaway was something I already knew: Creativity needs community in order to thrive. While I do love working on a basket or rug in the privacy of my studio with my music going, I learned more in two days working with others than I have in a year of working alone! I also realized that while there are existing communities for weavers who use natural materials and fibers (yarn, string, etc) I don’t think there is a community of plastic weavers. At least not that I have found – yet. I may have to create that community. I will have to keep looking for people who are working with this material. And I will have to start teaching some, so that we can all learn together.