. .and Whitewoven Handweaving Studio
became Whitewoven Textile Workshop.
Sheree White Sorrells opened her fiberarts workspace, Whitewoven Handweaving Studio, in 1982 in a loft in downtown Waynesville North Carolina. For 25 years she worked as a rugweaver and gallery owner. If one of her customers, she tried her hand at creating a floorcloth.Textiles and Color
Being more comfortable with the tactile and manipulative nature of textiles, she created a fabric collage on canvas. She chose beautiful fabric colors in unusual combinations with a color sense only a master weaver could possess. From her history of pen and ink drawing, she added outlines to protect fabric edges and enhance graphic designs. She looked for balance, a "what if" attitude, and a sense of playfulness in each placement. And, because the designs were so spontaneous and were made to fit in whatever space was available...the word "Graffiti" seemed to fit....a fleeting moment...
"After so many years as a rugweaver, and meticulously planning each step of a project, I want instead to capture the inspired moments of "creation" as an art piece comes to life. I am challenged by the need and opportunity to work quickly, and do a minimal amount of planning. In many stages of my floorcloth designs, a step can only be done once, and a redo is not possible. I am continually evaluating a piece for qualities of balance, design and color . . .and then, all of the sudden, it is finished." Sheree, describing her process of making an UNpainted floorcloth.Today, Sheree and her husband Ken, work in Whitewoven Studio together. They continue to work to improve GraffitiMats as a product, as well as enjoying the artistic and whimsical nature of studio work. They enjoy exhibiting in professional fine craft shows throughout the United States, primarily along the eastern seaboard. Do we still make handwoven rugs? "Yes, we do make rugs. I still have 3 large operational rug looms. The largest size rug I make now without seams is a 6'x9'. Once a weaver, always a weaver." To see woven rugs and other handweaving, check out our sister website www.rugweaver.com
