Artist Alisa McRonald shares photos from the creation of her “Pierrot” tapestry weaving, from initial sketch to completed piece.
Like many other artists, I use a sketchbook to plan. This is the original sketch in watercolour for Pierrot.
Here is the piece warped, and I’ve started weaving. Once I decide on a colour scheme, I gather cotton T-shirts and make yarn out of them. My goal is to reuse/reclaim as much material as possible in all my work.
Here is a close-up of my hands at work. I use two strands of T-shirt yarn held together; I like the variation of colour and texture.
As this loom is attached to the wall, I have to grow with the piece and end up working on a ladder for several hours. It’s kind of fun seeing my studio from a different perspective.
“Pierrot” is complete, and now it’s time to cut the piece down and finish it.
I have released the piece from the loom and here it is laid out on the floor ready to finish. I tie all the warp threads and weave them into the back of the piece. I then back the piece with a large piece of fabric.
Ta-da! Here it is, finished and hanging.
All images credt Alisa McRonald.
