​Continuing our interview series with artists who teach, Trudy Perry talks with Jenn Lima about weaving, drawing inspiration from nature and found objects from the hardware store. 

Based in the Santa Monica Mountains, Trudy Perry is a working Fiber Artist. With a background in design, she creates large scale woven wall hangings using organic materials. Inspired by nature, she brings these elements into her pieces. Creating something that is intentional, thoughtful and visually appealing is deeply gratifying. She loves seeing the magic that happens when a piece is finished and the story it tells. She currently exhibits her work, creates commissions, and teaches weaving workshops.

1. We love that you incorporate everything from rose quartz to Hawaiian shirts and coconut husks in your pieces. Is there a material out there that you haven't yet worked with that's on your wish list?

Yes, I'd like to work with copper wire and found things at a hardware store. I know this is random but the most useful things are great incorporated into weaving.
 
2. The natural world plays a huge role in your work, both as inspiration and as elements of your woven pieces. Has being in Topanga altered your practice at all and do you draw from its creative energy? 

I wouldn't say it's altered however the peaceful and natural setting has charged my creative juices. My studio is on Chumash land and I can sometimes feel the energy there.  

3. Is there a jumping off point that you typically begin with when starting your creative process such as a location, memory, or the materials themselves?  

It really depends on the project I am working on. Sometimes I am inspired by the materials, or the space a piece is going in. Weaving is intuitive for me so sometimes I just am in the flow of things and a design just comes out.   

3. Could you talk about how you came into weaving and the importance of passing the practice to others? Has teaching others inspired you to experiment with your own practice?  

I came into weaving on a trip to India. I was inspired by a man weaving on a giant loom and he looked so peaceful and the piece he was working on was so beautiful. I decided I needed to try that when I got home. I was living in Hawaii at the time and there were so many wonderful things to incorporate in the weavings. Self taught, people started to ask me how to weave and I so enjoy sharing this time honored craft. I definitely push myself and try to learn more so I can answer all weaving questions. I really find the joy in seeing the amazing pieces participants come up with.

4. The tactile shapes incorporated in your pieces invoke waves, skylines, and landscape elements. Do you find that you plan out a piece inspired by your surroundings or do you find the environment influencing your process as you continue to work a piece? 

I am inspired by my beautiful surroundings and if I don't find something nearby, I will drive to a new space like the beach, museums or art shows. Sometimes just a drive along the coast we get my creative juices flowing.

Thank you, Trudy for sharing a peak into your weaving practice with us. We look forward to gathering in the Santa Monica Mountains (at a safe distance) and weaving with you! 

Take a peak at all of our artisanal and meditative workshops below. 

NEW WORKSHOPS:
Watercolor or Relaxation 
Natural Dye Group 
Round Weavings with Natural Fibers- small group in-person

What types of creative practice most inspires you?

Today we hear from weaver and lifestyle curator, Stacie Krachjir about what inspires her most, motivates her and what shifts are taking place in her textile practice as interviewed by Jenn Lima. Stacie is known for curating objects and spaces, with a love for textiles along with hand fabrication. Perhaps this is why she enjoys art-making done by hand such as painting and weaving. With a background in painting, she has consistently found a way to merge one art form with another throughout her journey as an artist. Stacie graduated from UC Berkeley. Whether it’s painting, ceramics, or working with natural dyes and textiles—it’s all a way to recharge, replenish and show up for the rest. 

You've advocated for taking the time to be slow and giving yourself the time to create and experiment. How has your art practice changed since becoming mindful of the need to slow things down and enjoy the process?

I’m a  triple threat multi-tasker by nature, which has been my superpower. However, In the past 2 years or so, I’ve come to realize that somewhere along the way multi-tasking for me became incredibly counter productive and terribly depleting. In juggling multiple things everyday, I was not really giving any one thing my best effort and I was missing the joy of being. Now, there  is a certain sacredness that happens when I walk into creating something —I’m less focused on the end result, I experiment more, and allow a natural flow to determine the pace of whatever I am making. Weaving, working with textiles and natural dyes, painting… all of this is my slowing down and my meditation. It’s my reminder to BREATHE, feel, let go and just be.  Now my work feels much more balanced intentional  and authentic . 

Connecting and  collaborating with women artists like Hilary, who I  deeply admire and respect is such a special treat. Collaborating always elevates a creative experience for me! I‘m really excited to do this workshop together!