“Parkdale Pears” woven pine needle art by Martha Denham.
“They are the same size as an actual pear and no two are alike (as an actual pear). The bases are made from a sculpting medium.” MHD
“I paint the bases then finish the upper portion with pine needle coil weaving. Inside is a dinner bell.” MHD
“A Mouse’s Hole is Her Castle” woven pine needle art by Martha H. Denham.
“This is a wall hanging that is 8″ w by 6″ h by 4″ d . This is a cast and painted mouse sitting in her nest which is part pine needle coil basketry and repurposed materials. Repurposed fabric is textured and painted. I call this fabric mache’. The vine and leaves are wire and pine needle coil formed and filled with woven raffia.” MDH
Martha H. Denham, Artist
I am a person whose spirit thrives amongst the fragrances, organic shapes, and color of my garden. My sense of balance, function, and durability comes from the civil engineer that resides in my brain. Always asking “what if” I have looked for new ways to achieve to the next challenge.
The passion I found with pine needle coil basketry came from my roots growing up in pine forests and in a culture where everyone “stitched”. After developing an expertise in pine needle basketry my attributes demanded I evolve the traditional genre into my own expression.
You will see stitched into the weaving brightly colored thread, beads, wood/sticks, shells, and stones that create a flower in bloom or a ripe pear.
Recent work has become mixed media incorporating the weaving with metal, wood and sculpted/painted medium. Using wire and raffia, I make 3-dimensional fruits that define the character of the piece.
The engineer in me challenged my perception of what form a vessel should take. With coil construction being inherently uniform, how would I take it outside its apparent boundaries? Intertwining branches, vines, leaves, and fruit marry the chaos of nature into the uniformity of the vessel’s function.
Using wood, wire mesh, wire, fiber, and sculpting medium the round uniform shape becomes a flat wall upon which a single stem flower grows. Twisting roots and vines wrapped around the nest of a field mouse gives us a peek into the underground world of this little creature.
Breaking free of traditional expectations and methods allows me to enjoy the craft of stitching coils and the beauty of the stitching.
It is no longer the entire expression but an integral part of a diverse expression. My art is only limited by my imagination that knows no boundaries.
November 2-24
MADE
Art Show and Sale
Fairweather House and Gallery
612 Broadway
Seaside
“Made” an exhibition for the one-of-a-kind and the unexpected works made by Northwest artisans with just the right dose of imperfection to suggest a human element in the creative process.
“This is the time of year, before the gift-giving season, the gallery digs a bit deeper into the subject of the handmade, with a reverence for artisans who are producing exclusive objects, artisans who are making craft cool and luxurious,” D. Fairweather, gallerist.
Featuring harp maker Duane Bolster, basket maker Carol Bolster, calligrapher Penelope Culbertson, glass maker Christine Downs, paper crane crafter Peggy Evans, quilt maker Cherry Jones Harris, pottery maker Suzy Holland and mixed media maker JoAnn Pari-Mueller.
Welcoming woven pine needle maker Martha H. Denham and wood turner Tom Willing.
Introducing metal smith Nikki Hall and potter Marcia Hudson.
Maker talks at 5:30pm.
Naturalist Neal Maine habitat lecture at 6: pm.
LIVE music by Shirley 88.
For more info please visit http://www.fairweatherhouseandgallery.com