1997--2004 I lived in the small desert town of Magdalena, NM. It was there I met a fellow resident, Sherri Runyan. She and her husband, Joe, were new arrivals from Alaska. You may recognize the name Runyan as Joe was the 1985 Iditarod sled dog mushing champion. Sherri was a top placer in mid-distance sled dog mushing and occasional race official for the Iditarod and other races.
The Runyan's and I had something in common--an Alaska connection. You will see my Eskimo heritage in the link MY ESKIMO FAMILY. I lived in Golovin and Nome Alaska from 1976 to 1980. When Sherri and I compared notes, she actually stayed one night at my aunt Maggie's house in Golovin--I had left Alaska by then.
The Runyan's moved to Gila, New Mexico, purchasing property that bordered an organic farm. One fall I visited Sherri and toured the organic farm. They were plowing under their summer crop and discarding some gourds that looked, to me, to have artistic potential for something. I gladly accepted when the farmers offered them to me.
Back in Magdalena, I perused our small library for a book on decorating gourds and found a book with gourds trimmed with pine needle weaving--we happened to have a ponderosa pine in our back yard. I also found a wonderful reference book for pine needle weaving: PINE NEEDLE BASKETRY: From Forest to Finished Project by Judy Mofield Mallow
Here are some of my first pots. The largest one is about 12" wide. The pots are painted with acrylic. The red dots are beads attached with thread through holes drilled in the side of the pot.
Beautiful Baskets. It is so wonderful to see your new work and all the exciting things you are doing. I miss talking with you--wish you still lived here! Give me a call.
Keep changing the world with your art!!!
sincerely, Bren Sibilsky
Posted by: Bren Sibilsky | November 16, 2007 at 09:59 AM