Sue Hintz-Siegrist
 

 Hand-woven and Hand Dyed Textiles

I knew early on that I wanted a career in the arts, but I wasn’t quite sure what direction I would take until a high school art teacher encouraged me to go into graphic design.  I have a fine art education (BS, MA, MFA) with a graphic design area of emphasis.  My specialty in this area was architectural graphics for 20+ years, as I ran my own business, The Design Room, first in Madison, Wisconsin, and then in Boulder.

I was introduced to fiber arts while an undergraduate, and I developed my interest in weaving while living in Norway in the ‘80’s.  I have furthered my study of fiber arts through classes and worships.  I have concentrated on weaving in “rag” (fabric strips as weft) for about 10 years, adding natural dyeing to my work about 4 years ago.  I now create hand-wovens for the home, based on color, composition, elements, and texture ideas I see in nature.  My inspiration often comes to me while hiking in and around RMNP, and the canyons of the west.  Fiber as a medium offers an interesting challenge to interpret what I see, incorporate my tactile skills, and create something that will speak to others.

 sue

 

I work in cotton and silk in various textures, using commercial fabrics as well as hand dyed fabrics, depending on the colors and textures needed for various designs.  I begin with a design idea working in sketches combining design and color, then consider weave structures and textures that will maximize the effect of the design.  The design dictates how I will achieve the colors I want, either with commercially available fabric, or natural hand dyed fabric.  Natural dyes are characteristically subtler than commercial or chemical dyes, and mimic the colors I enjoy in nature.  Dyeing my own fabric also allows me to achieve the color gradations that I often incorporate into my designs.  I have recently added beads to some pieces to further enhance the color and design.

I have been participating in the Handweavers Guild of Boulder Show and Sale for several years, and had a piece accepted in the Pikes Peak Weavers Guild juried show “Living with Beauty, Hand-woven Textiles for the Home” summer of 2008.

I am a member of the American Handweavers Guild, and the Handweavers Guild of Boulder.  I serve as the Outreach Coordinator for the HGB.