The Origin Story

The Origin Story: The Pattern Never Planned

How does an artist find her voice? Sometimes through education and experimentation, sometimes through unexpected opportunities, and sometimes by simply looking out the window.

In this richly illustrated presentation, The Oregon Weaver shares the personal journey that transformed an early interest in sculpture, fiber, and natural dyes into a career creating distinctive handwoven garments.

The story begins with a high school aptitude test suggesting a talent for mechanics—a curious prediction that would eventually make sense when a 16-shaft AVL loom arrived in 13 boxes. Along the way came major weaving commissions for Sunriver Lodge and the historic restoration of Timberline Lodge, years of traveling to art fairs across the country, and serendipitous connections that opened doors to textile traditions in Italy and professional fashion photography.

Central to this journey is the Oregon Coast, where the changing landscape became a source of inspiration for color, texture, and design. What began as an exploration of weaving evolved into a personal artistic language, translating the natural world into cloth and transforming that cloth into wearable art.

Filled with archival photographs, beautiful textiles, memorable encounters, and a few unexpected twists, "The Origin Story" is a reflection on creativity, perseverance, lifelong learning, and the sometimes surprising paths that shape an artist's life.