Sheila O'Hara
http://www.sheilaohara.com

FLOCKETTES FOR ALL SEASONS: SPRING
2000
7" x 6"
Cotton handweaving on TC1 Jacquard Loom
$500. Limited edition available.
If not in stock, please expect up to 8 week delivery.


FLOCKETTES FOR ALL SEASONS: WINTER
2000
7" X 6"
Cotton handweaving on TC1 Jacquard Loom
$500


TIDAL WEAVE
1999
3 panels commissioned for
Tides Wharf & Restaurant,
Bodega Bay, CA
Handwoven, wool, cotton, rayon, silk, lurex
11' x 3'


BIOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION
Since Sheila O'Hara's graduation from the California College of Arts & Crafts in 1976, she has pursued a career in textiles. Her textiles have been exhibited nationally and internationally including a one-person exhibition at the Center for Tapestry Arts, New York, and the 13th International Biennial in Lausanne, Switzerland. Publications include The New York Times, American Craft, Metropolis and Fiberarts Magazine. Corporations, museums and private individuals have her weavings in their collections including AT&T, San Francisco; Lloyds Bank International, New York; the Smithsonian's Cooper-Hewitt Museum and the American Craft Museum, New York; the Oakland Museum, Oakland, California and the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco. On July 1st, 1999, Sheila installed a 100 square foot tapestry for the Tides Restaurant in Bodega Bay, California. The commission depicts the history of the region including Native American Indian Miwok baskets, Bodega's sailing ship, of course, the schoolhouse from "The Birds," and much more. Enjoy a drive up Highway One and stop in for a look and lunch!

Her informative and entertaining lecturers and workshops have been given in Canada, Germany, Australia and the United States. For three academic years from 1996-1999 she taught in the textiles department at San Francisco State University. For the 1998-99 year she also taught weaving at The College of Marin, Kentfield, California. Through her teaching she delights in passing on her enthusiasm for textiles (and her humor) to eager students.

Sheila is now happy to be teaching weaving classes in her home/studio in Lower Lake, CA, 100 miles north of the SF Bay Area


ARTIST STATEMENT
Over the past 23 years I have developed a unique two-faced weave structure with a lush surface texture. A 16 harness AVL compudobby loom enables me to construct these pieces from four separate sets of warps woven in one layer. This technique becomes a palette from which I depict everyday life in a slightly altered state. My work tends to poke fun at popular trends and explores the complex nature of our perception of reality. Weaving helps me deal with my emotional reactions to life's pitfalls and triumphs. It is a way in which I can communicate my worldview to others in imaginary and often humorous landscapes.


COMMENTS ON THE FIBER FIELD
I think that the Textile Arts are Alive and Well! There is exciting new work being done along with fabulous traditional work all over the country. The Fiberarts Design Books show that fascinating work exists all over the world. Many schools still have excellent textile programs. Students are learning about hand weaving as well as computer-aided design and weaving. Museums and corporations are still collecting fiber art and textile publications are still in print including Fiberarts, Handwoven, Threads, American Craft, Shuttle, Spindle & Dyeport, etc. The Handweaver's Guild of America is operating in full swing with conferences all over the country bringing together professional and hobby textile artists of all ages. I see a strong acceptance of and excitement for textiles for the next millennium. I see good things looming on the horizon.



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