by Jo Barnes | photo by Kathryn Alvarez Photography –
North Saanich textile artist Chelsea Kramer’s hands move rhythmically back and forth as she weaves the threads on her loom. She works with purpose, keeping a steady focus on her work, except for the occasional break to look at a cartoon.
But this cartoon is not the kind of cartoon you might have watched on Saturday mornings: it’s actually a weaving pattern or template called a cartoon. “It is slow going, and I get in the zone,” shares Chelsea. “I draw the design on canvas and it sits behind my loom. I follow this ‘cartoon’ as I weave.”
The self-taught artist’s one-of-a-kind tapestries reflect the skies, mountains and oceans of the geographical places where she has lived. In 2023, Chelsea focused in on the theme of the seascape. “I have lived fairly close to the ocean for the last 17 years, in Oak Bay and also North Saanich,” Chelsea relates. “I am drawn to the ocean. It is calming, powerful, but gentle too. It is powerful beauty.”
Since taking up weaving three years ago, Chelsea has received commissions to do pieces for clients through Instagram and her website www.chelseakramerart.com. She likes to work closely with the client to get an idea of themes and colours they prefer. “I draw up sketches, provide a colour palette and email the ideas to the client, and then they choose which they like.”
Once the design is confirmed, the cartoon comes into play. Chelsea is able to choose the type of yarn for the colour or texture she’s trying to achieve in the design. The cartoon serves as a roadmap.
Chelsea has several tapestry floor looms of various sizes. Using the cartoon as her guide and applying different techniques and yarns including wool, silk, mohair and alpaca, she creates a pattern called the weft across the warp, which are the threads running the length of the loom. She moves along with a keen eye to ensure an even, clean appearance, regularly compressing the threads down to the bottom of the loom with specific tools. “I use a vintage silver fork and an old comb that belonged to my grandma. I use these to weave in the weft and pack it down solidly,” she notes.
With the design completed, Chelsea finishes the piece using a blocking technique. “I use a steam iron which pulls the fibres together,” says Chelsea. “Sometimes I can create a nice effect. For example, with mohair, I can get a watercolour effect when I steam it.”
Like any artist, Chelsea likes to take approaches that set her work apart from others. “My work is unique in how it is finished and displayed. It is mounted on custom poplar frames made by a local framer.”
Her clients’ responses make weaving rewarding. “I had American clients who wanted a tapestry depicting the view from the place where they were married, the place where they stood with the lake, trees, and mountains in the background,” she says, adding with a big smile: “They were thrilled with the piece.”
While Chelsea has enjoyed other art forms over the years, it is weaving that completely captivates her. “I’ve dabbled in metal smithing, cake decorating and painting in watercolours and acrylics,” Chelsea says. “I’ve changed mediums over the years, but this one stuck.”
Over time and with plenty of practise, Chelsea has built up her weaving skills. Her previous art experiences have proven valuable in preparing her for weaving work. With painting, she developed a keen eye and understanding about the movement and colours of the sea. Silversmith work provided opportunities to improve dexterity and develop problem solving skills.
Chelsea shares that sometimes she doesn’t follow any cartoon; she creates from her imagination and just enjoys spontaneity. “I just go into my yarn stash and work intuitively. I don’t have a particular pattern. I just get into the flow.”
For Chelsea, weaving offers limitless creative freedom which she thoroughly enjoys. “This art form is so versatile; I am not boxed into something. There are lots of different options; yarn can be thin like thread or very thick like wool. It takes a long time before I get bored! I love it so much!
The activity of weaving is also satisfying because it is so relaxing. “I like the tactile nature of weaving; it’s calming and meditative,” she says. “I find this art form so relaxing.”
She may instinctively weave the loom threads without a cartoon or follow one in detail. In the end, however, Chelsea is able to beautifully “animate” her woven seascapes in a way that is far more realistic and lasting than a Saturday morning cartoon.
