Baskets have been a part of Michelle Veatch's life since the Girl Scouts years.
After discovering weaving in 1977 while taking art classes she went on to spinning. With practice of these two combined arts her baskets became more ornate while using many natural materials.
Michelle writes, "I love making containers that hold things or nothing at all. I have sheep, llamas and a goat; many of my yarns us their fibers and are named for them. I dye most of my fibers and basket reeds."
Here Michelle used Snake Skin to create this one-of-a-kind basket.
Michelle writes, Sometimes I will find an interesting stick or vine on a walk. I let it lay around where I can see it and an idea comes to me. My ideas come when I'm driving, showering and often in dreams. My style is casual; rather than forcing the wild materials to bend to my ideas of how it should be designed, I let the materials dictate how the basket will look. A lot of my baskets come from the thought 'What will happen if I try this?' ".
"Centuries of basket makers all over the world and Ed Rossbach who took a new look at basketry in the 60's and 70's influenced my work".
"I am working on projects currently working in spinning and baskets reminiscent of the funeral platforms in the Northwest."
"My studio and/or work environment depends on the weather. In the winter I work inside, in warm weather I work outside on the deck or in the yard."
Here is one of Michelle's "Spirit Baskets". Beads, bones, bugles, and natural materials are among these Sticks.
Michelle Veatch received a Juror's award for a basket at the Schemer Museum in Phoenix at a show featuring international basket weavers.
You can find Michelle's baskets and hand spun yarns at:
Arts Prescott Cooperative Gallery
134 South Montezuma Street
Prescott, Arizona 928-776-7717 -- www.artsprescott.com