About Rita
I took my first weaving lessons in 1978 in Ithaca, NY, from an 83-year-old woman whose living and dining rooms were filled with looms. Her emphasis on strict note taking provided guidance in the coming years. In Bolivia, an Aymara indian woman was most intriguing as she demonstrated her weaving skill on a four-stake loom set up in our yard. A Norwegian woman friend and I laughed as we worked out weaving terms in two languages. A special treat was a trip to Missouri to study for a week with Madelyn van der Hoogt.
Retiring back to the States from overseas life with my husband's career, I was inspired by the skill and encouragement of members of the Waterford Weavers’ Guild, which I joined in 2001, taking several workshops through the Guild, and starting to also knit and dye. As a member of Del Ray Artisans (Alexandria), I've had the opportunity to expand artistic endeavors to other areas and combine them with weaving.
My favorite part of the weaving process is the satisfaction of seeing what’s happening, seeing a fabric develop -- a huge contrast to the electronic world in which we live. Although I do occasional tapestries, my first preference is weaving things that can be used -- items for the home, scarves, etc.
I'll be participating in Art on the Avenue, Alexandria (Oct. 7, 2023, 10:00-6:00; www.artontheavenue.org; tent at E79); and in the Holiday Shop of Mt. Vernon Unitarian Church on Nov. 18, 2023, 9:30-4:00; 1909 Windmill La., Alexandria.
Retiring back to the States from overseas life with my husband's career, I was inspired by the skill and encouragement of members of the Waterford Weavers’ Guild, which I joined in 2001, taking several workshops through the Guild, and starting to also knit and dye. As a member of Del Ray Artisans (Alexandria), I've had the opportunity to expand artistic endeavors to other areas and combine them with weaving.
My favorite part of the weaving process is the satisfaction of seeing what’s happening, seeing a fabric develop -- a huge contrast to the electronic world in which we live. Although I do occasional tapestries, my first preference is weaving things that can be used -- items for the home, scarves, etc.
I'll be participating in Art on the Avenue, Alexandria (Oct. 7, 2023, 10:00-6:00; www.artontheavenue.org; tent at E79); and in the Holiday Shop of Mt. Vernon Unitarian Church on Nov. 18, 2023, 9:30-4:00; 1909 Windmill La., Alexandria.