Penthouse Gallery

By on

Janice Kimball, accomplished abstract artist, and Francisco Urzua, master Mexican weaver, are a very unusual team. I have felt privileged to be in their presence photographing while they co-create what could be the beginning of a New Wave in Mexican weaving. The fact that Francisco can turn Janice’s very non-traditional, free-form designs into stunning works of abstract fabric art on ancient looms confounds me. Watching him is akin to hearing a very talented jazz musician transform a traditional melody into something familiar and yet utterly new. They are masters of rhythm, in execution and visual results, collaborating at a level at which they become one creator. 

Video is not my accustomed medium, and the lighting was challenging, but it was necessary in order to capture the simultaneous use of both Francisco’s hands and feet as he transforms the design into a woven work of art. 

Francisco buying material in Guadalajara
IMG_9110
Machine for creating smaller spools
IMG_1880
Janice drawing initial design with charcoal
 
IMG_2147Creating weaving guide by placing colored yarn on final interpretation of design
IMG_2141
Final interpretation of charcoal drawing
IMG_1884
Design placed on loom
IMG_2157
Machine for making the small spools, created by sculptor Daniel Palma
IMG_2170
IMG_2173
IMG_2174
IMG_2184
Materials laid out
IMG_1901
Counting threads on the stretched warp
IMG_1905
Removing warp from stretcher
IMG_1911
IMG_1914
IMG_1916
Ready to tie warp onto loom
Removing pattern from where it was held by lath strips
Pattern affixed to loom
Loading spools over bar stretcher
Lifting warp threads for interweaving
IMG_1950
IMG_1954
Throwing of the shuttle

 

 

Separating upper from lower warp

Exact aligning of fibers before packing with swing bar

Packing threads tightly with swing bar

 

 

Changing colors
Essential periodic leveling of threads by adjusting tension to prevent distortion in final image
Leveling threads with comb and fingers
Cleaning face of the warp
Removing pattern from the loom
Cutting warp from loom and bunching threads for tying off

 

 

Tying off to finish the weaving
Pulling weaving from loom
Final cleaning and tying of ends
Knotting each group of threads
Continuing tying off and knotting thread to make fringe
Francisco separating threads in skein of wool
Snapping action to untangle skein
Untangling bottom of skein with finger action
Mounting skein on warp spinner
Opening wood slats of spinner to pull off thread
Preparing lengths of yarn for creating the vertical heading of the piece
Beginning heading – feeding Francisco hanks of yarn as he separates wool from warp

IMG_2096
Determining placement of heading material

 

Adjusting tension of hanks
Separating groups of heading threads

         Hand flattening the finished weaving

                We hope you enjoyed learning how we do what we love!! 
                                       Janice, Francisco & Precious

Folks who live at or visit Lake Chapala can visit Janice & Francisco’s Penthouse Gallery at 232 Carretera Pte. in West Ajijic near Dental Express. Finished weavings are available at Mexican prices, and commissions are welcome. The gallery is open on Thursdays & Fridays from 10:00 to 2:00 and by appointment – or when the door is open. Visit http://www.janicekimballmx to see photos of available weavings and for reviews of Janice’s books, and http://www.amazonbooks.com for her literary profile. Facebook: Janice Kimball mx or  janicekimballmx@gmail.com

Leave a comment