Debbie Barrett-Jones Woven Textiles and Prints
Leedy-Voulkos Art Center 2012 Baltimore Ave. KC MO 64108 www.leedy-voulkos.com 816-474-1919
Textile Artist
Debbie Barrett-Jones
debbiebarrettjones.com
As a weaver; I get to see and be apart of the transformation of a white cone of yarn into a colorful, delicate, piece of fabric. Just recently I have been able to take that delicate piece of fabric giving it new life. By taking images of my woven work and coming up with new designs and compositions through photography and digitally manipulation, then having those designs and having them printed on a variety of different materials like paper, aluminum metal, and fabric.
Artist Bio/Statement: Textiles artist, Debbie Barrett-Jones left her small town in Iowa so she could pursue an education at the Kansas City Art Institute (KCAI) and since graduation, has exhibited her work throughout the United States, including the Kansas City area locations, such as; Children’s Mercy Hospital in North Kansas City, Truman Medical Center, Community Christian Church and Lead Bank in the Crossroads of Kansas City. Careful consideration goes into color, composition, and material in each of her weavings. Her work reveals the beautiful communication that is the result of one color thread intersecting another. Her panels are comprised of vibrating colors and elegant patterns which create a narrative in flux according to the viewer’s proximity to each piece. Along with weaving large-scale pieces for public and private spaces, she also creates intimate accessories such as scarves, shawls, and necklaces. Sitting at her loom and weaving has become Debbie’s safe place, her sanctuary. Thread by thread, beat by beat of the weaving loom while creating a piece of fabric, provides a meditative experience, which allows her to step away from everyday worries and fears. In the same way, she hopes her artwork inspires peace, hope and contemplation, serving as a beautiful distraction during our busy and chaotic lives. The next step of Barrett-Jones’ studio investigation has the artist digitally recontextualizing her woven objects on metal, paper and fabric. In late 2017 Woven Repeat was launched, which is a new line of home decor, wallpaper, fabric and upholstery, Accessories, Activewear and more using original woven designs by Debbie Barrett-Jones.
Textile Artist
Debbie Barrett-Jones
debbiebarrettjones.com
Debbie Barrett-Jones debbiebarrettjonestextiles@gmail.com www.debbiebarrettjones.com and www.wovenrepeat.com BORN: 1979 Spencer, IA EDUCATION: B.F.A. 2007 Fiber Kansas City Art Institute 2023- (anticipated year) MFA in Textiles, University of Kansas Representation: Leedy-Voulkos Art Center, Kansas City, MO SOLO EXHIBITIONS 2021- Restoring and Redefining the Body (Virtual Exhibition) / Spence Museum of Art / Lawrence, KS 2020- One Thread at a Time; woven textiles by Debbie Barrett-Jones / The Box Gallery/Kansas City, MO 2017- Woven; Soft, Hard and Repeat/ Leedy Voulkos Art Center/Kansas City, MO 2016- Unspoken; an Art Installation by Debbie Barrett-Jones/ Leedy Voulkos Art Center/Kansas City, MO 2015- Debbie Barrett-Jones' Textiles Kauffman Conference Center / Kansas City, MO 2015- Debbie Barrett-Jones' Textiles Hangar 10/Kansas City Downtown Airport/Kansas City, MO 2014- Woven; New Textiles by Debbie Barrett-Jones/ MLB Designs and Gallery/ Kansas City, MO 2014- One Thread at a Time; Woven Textiles by Debbie Barrett-Jones/ Leedy-Voulkos Art Center/ Kansas City, MO 2012- Gradations; New Textile Work by Debbie Barrett-Jones/ 2009 Gallery/ Kansas City, MO 2009- Of the Wheel Solo Show/ Blue Bouquet/Kansas City, MO GROUP EXHIBITIONS 2018- Vision Makers 2018 / 108 Contemporary/ Tulsa, Oklahoma 2018- Materials: Hard + Soft National Contemporary Craft Competition and Exhibition / Greater Denton Arts Council/ Denton, Texas 2017- SANCTUARIES; A Print and Sound Installation by Kristine Barrett with Woven Textiles by Debbie Barrett-Jones/ Leedy Voulkos Art Center/ Kansas City, MO 2017- Women to Watch (Metals)/ Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art/ Kansas City 2017- Point of Reference Exhibition/ Weinberger Fine Art/ Kansas City, MO 2015- Ebb & Flow; Debbie Barrett-Jones and Ruth Borum-Loveland/ Weinberger Fine Art/ Kansas City, MO 2015-2012- KCJMCA Urban Suburban Art Auction/ Kansas City Jewish Museum of Contemporary Art/ Overland Park, KS 2015- Loving and Longing Operation Breakthrough Art Show/ Beggars Table Gallery/Kansas City, MO 2014- MLB Designs and Gallery Fall Preview Show/ MLB Designs and Gallery/ Kansas City, MO 2014- Multiplicities: New Directions in Fiber/ IMAGO Gallery/ Warren, RI 2013- Leedy-Voulkos Art Center Fall Preview Show/ Leedy-Voulkos Art Center/ Kansas City, MO 2012- Women to Watch 2012: Focus on Fiber and Textiles/ UMKC, Kansas City, MO 2011- Fiber Group Show/ The Locust Studio/ Kansas City, M 2011- National Fiber Directions Exhibition/ The Wichita Center for the Arts/Wichita, KS 2010- Blue Ridge Fiber Show 2010/ North Carolina Arboretum/ Asheville, NC 2010- New Fibers/ Fiber Arts Network of Michigan/ Ypsilanti, MI 2010 Materials: Hard and Soft 2010/ Greater Denton Arts Council/ Denton, TX 2009- Surface Design Association Member Show/ H & R Block Artspace/ Kansas City, MO 2008- Off the Wheel Group Show/ Good Girl Art Gallery/ Springfield, MO 2008- Blue Ridge Handweaving Show/ Flat Rock, North Carolina 2007- Sum of the Part/ Surface Design Association Members' Show/ H&R Block ARTSPACE/ Kansas City, MO RECOGNITIONS 2018- Vision Makers 2018 Hogan Award for Founders’ Contemporary Design 2016- Kansas City Collection Artist/ Kansas City, MO 2015- Artist Inc. Advanced Fellow, Professional development seminar/ Artist Inc./Kansas City, MO 2015- Inspiration Grant/ Arts KC/ Kansas City, MO 2015- Featured Artist/ Arts KC Inspiration Breakfast Fundraiser/ Kansas City, MO 2015- Artist Inc. Fellow, Professional development seminar/ Artist Inc./Kansas City, MO 2015-2014- TMC Charitable Foundation Art Grant/ Truman Medical Center/ Kansas City, MO 2014- Multiplicities: New Directions in Fiber Juror Award/ IMAGO Gallery/ Warren, RI 2010- Materials: Hard and Soft Award Winner/ Greater Denton Arts Council/ Denton, TX 2008- Blue Ridge Handweaving Show Award Winner/Third Place Decorative NonFunctional/ Western North Carolina PRESS 2016- “|http://www.kansascity.com/entertainment/ink/life-in-kc/article66216877.html|Artery: Debbie Barrett-Jones brings peace through weaving.|” By The Kansas City Star and INK 2016- “Beautiful Distractions” by Truman Medical Center 2015- “ArtsKC Inspiration Breakfast Featured Artist” KC Studio COLLECTIONS Commerce Bancshares Fine Art Collection/ Kansas City, MO Gallerie Apartments / Kansas City, MO Lead Bank Crossroads/ Kansas City, MO First Christian Church of North Kansas City Sanctuary/ Kansas City, MO Truman Medical Center/ Kansas City, MO Dennis and Susan Marker/ Kansas City, MO Hovey Williams, LLP/ Overland Park, KS Children’s Mercy Hospital/ Lisa Barth Interfaith Chapel and Garden/ Kansas City, MO Jacob’s Well Church Sanctuary/Kansas City, MO Community Christian Church Sanctuary/ Kansas City, MO
Textile Artist
Debbie Barrett-Jones
Title: Shades of Autumn with Diamond Inlay Size: 37” wide x 41” long Medium: Hand-dyed, handwoven, inlay Material: tencel Year: 2016 Cost: $5,800 For more details and/or to purchase with woven piece, please click on this link.
debbiebarrettjones.com
Textile Artist
Debbie Barrett-Jones
Title: Shades of Autumn with Double Weft with Silver Size: 38” wide x 44” long Medium: Hand-painted, hand-woven, inlay Materials: tencel Year: 2016 Cost: $5,400 For more details and/or to purchase with woven piece, please click on this link.
debbiebarrettjones.com
Textile Artist
Debbie Barrett-Jones
Title: More Shades of Autumn with Gold and Eggplant Size: 36” wide x 40” long Medium: Hand-dyed, handwoven, hand-painted Materials: tencel Year: 2016 Cost: $ 4,200 For more details and/or to purchase with woven piece, please click on this link.
debbiebarrettjones.com
Textile Artist
Debbie Barrett-Jones
Title: White Diamonds Size: 37” wide x 47” long Medium: Hand-dyed, hand-woven, deconstructed Materials: tencel Year: 2016 Cost: $6,000 For more details and/or to purchase with woven piece, please click on this link.
debbiebarrettjones.com
Textile Artist
Debbie Barrett-Jones
Title: Navy to Red/Royal to Orange Geometric Three Size: 37” wide x 40” long each Medium: Hand-dyed, , hand-woven Materials: tencel Year: 2016 Cost: $6,800 Each $2,400 For more details and/or to purchase with woven piece, please click on this link.
debbiebarrettjones.com
Textile Artist
Debbie Barrett-Jones
Title: Navy to Red/Royal to Orange Geometric Three, #1 Size: 37” wide x 40” long each Medium: Hand-dyed, , hand-woven Materials: tencel Year: 2016 Each $2,400 For more details and/or to purchase with woven piece, please click on this link.
debbiebarrettjones.com
Textile Artist
Debbie Barrett-Jones
Title: Navy to Red/Royal to Orange Geometric Three, #2 Size: 37” wide x 40” long each Medium: Hand-dyed, , hand-woven Materials: tencel Year: 2016 Each $2,400 For more details and/or to purchase with woven piece, please click on this link.
debbiebarrettjones.com
Textile Artist
Debbie Barrett-Jones
Title: Navy to Red/Royal to Orange Geometric Three, #3 Size: 37” wide x 40” long each Medium: Hand-dyed, , hand-woven Materials: tencel Year: 2016 Each $2,400 For more details and/or to purchase with woven piece, please click on this link.
debbiebarrettjones.com
Textile Artist
Debbie Barrett-Jones
Title: Two Gold, Shades of Purple and Silver Size: 37” wide x 50” long Medium: Hand-dyed, hand-woven Materials: tencel Year: 2015 Cost: $6,800 For more details and/or to purchase with woven piece, please click on this link.
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Textile Artist
Debbie Barrett-Jones
Title: Spring Aurora with Khaki and Silver Size: 37” wide x 38” long, double layer Medium: Hand-painted, hand-woven Material: tencel Year: 2015 Cost: $4800 For more details and/or to purchase with woven piece, please click on this link.
debbiebarrettjones.com
Textile Artist
Debbie Barrett-Jones
Title: Untitled Hand-painted Warp Threads Size: 37” wide x 50” long Medium: Hand-painted, hand-woven, deconstructed Materials: tencel Year: 2015 Cost: $6,200 For more details and/or to purchase with woven piece, please click on this link. .
debbiebarrettjones.com
Textile Artist
Debbie Barrett-Jones
Title: Shades of Blue with Gold and Pale Blue Size: 37” wide x 43” long Medium: Hand-dyed, hand-woven Material: tencel Year: 2017 Cost: $3400 For more details and/or to purchase with woven piece, please click on this link.
debbiebarrettjones.com
Textile Artist
Debbie Barrett-Jones
Title: Aqua-Brown-Navy Inlay #3 Size: 24” wide x 34” long Medium: Hand-painted, hand-woven, double weave inlay Materials: tencel Year: 2014 Cost: $5,200 For more details and/or to purchase with woven piece, please click on this link.
debbiebarrettjones.com
Textile Artist
Debbie Barrett-Jones
Title: Aqua-Brown-Navy Inlay #4 Size: 24” wide x 38” long Medium: Hand-painted, hand-woven, double weave inlay Materials: tencel Year: 2014 Cost: $5,200 For more details and/or to purchase with woven piece, please click on this link.
debbiebarrettjones.com
Textile Artist
Debbie Barrett-Jones
Title: Across the Sea Size: 17” wide x 30” long, double layer Medium: Hand-painted, hand-woven Materials: tencel Year: 2015 Cost: $850 For more details and/or to purchase with woven piece, please click on this link.
debbiebarrettjones.com
Textile Artist
Debbie Barrett-Jones
Title: Fuschia/Aqua with Gray Wave, 2 Size: 26” wide x 73” long Medium: Hand-painted, hand-dyed, handwoven Materials: tencel Year: 2015 Cost: $1,800 For more details and/or to purchase with woven piece, please click on this link.
debbiebarrettjones.com
Textile Artist
Debbie Barrett-Jones
Title: Across the Sea Size: 16” wide x 21 ½ ” long Medium: Digital print of original weaving Materials: metal Year: 2017 Cost: $345 For more details and/or to purchase with woven piece, please click on this link.
debbiebarrettjones.com
Textile Artist
Debbie Barrett-Jones
Title: Shades of Pastels Size: 31” wide x 62” long Medium: Hand-dyed, hand-woven Materials: cotten, rayon Year: 2006 Cost: $850 For more details and/or to purchase with woven piece, please click on this link.
debbiebarrettjones.com
Textile Artist
Debbie Barrett-Jones
Title: Purple to Blue Interrupted by Shades of Gray Wave Size: 28” wide x 50 1/2” long each Medium: Hand-painted, hand-dyed, hand-woven Materials: tencel Year: 2013 Cost: $7800 For more details and/or to purchase with woven piece, please click on this link.
debbiebarrettjones.com
Textile Artist
Debbie Barrett-Jones
Title: Autumn Frost Open Warp Threads Size: 37” wide x 68” long Medium: Hand-painted, hand-woven, rethreaded Materials: tencel Year: 2015 Cost: $9,850 For more details and/or to purchase with woven piece, please click on this link.
debbiebarrettjones.com
Textile Artist
Debbie Barrett-Jones
Title: Passing Through Woven Textile Size: 31” wide x 36” long x 10” deep Medium: Hand-dyed, hand-woven Materials: tencel and metal reed Year: 2014 Cost: $5,200 For more details and/or to purchase with woven piece, please click on this link.
debbiebarrettjones.com
Textile Artist
Debbie Barrett-Jones
Title: Pulled Through Installation Woven Textile Size: 63” wide x 46” long x 44” deep Medium: Hand-painted, hand-woven, deconstructed Materials: tencel and metal reed Year: 2015 Cost: $3,800 For more details and/or to purchase with woven piece, please click on this link. .
debbiebarrettjones.com
Textile Artist
Debbie Barrett-Jones
Title: Shades of Blue with Gold Waves Size: 63” wide x 46” long x 44” deep Medium: Hand-dyed, hand-woven Materials: tencel and cotton Year: 2020 Cost: $5,800 For more details and/or to purchase with woven piece, please click on this link.
debbiebarrettjones.com
Textile Artist
Debbie Barrett-Jones
Title: Double Warp Woven Textile Size: 28” wide x 55 ” long Medium: Hand-painted, hand-woven, deconstructed Materials: tencel Year: 2015 Cost: $7,800 For more details and/or to purchase with woven piece, please click on this link.
debbiebarrettjones.com
Textile Artist
Debbie Barrett-Jones
Title: Shades of Pink, Orange and Yellow Hand Size: 38” wide x 39” long Medium: Hand-painted, hand-woven Materials: cotton Year: 2007 Cost: $700 For more details and/or to purchase with woven piece, please click on this link.
debbiebarrettjones.com
Textile Artist
Debbie Barrett-Jones
Title: Golden Ovals with Navy to Khaki Size: 29” wide x 38” long Medium: Hand-dyed, hand-woven Materials: tencel Year: 2010 Cost: $700 For more details and/or to purchase with woven piece, please click on this link.
debbiebarrettjones.com
Textile Artist
Debbie Barrett-Jones
Title: Orange, Red, Yellow, Green & Brown Series Medium: hand-dyed , hand-woven Materials: cotten Year: 2005 Cost: $7,200 Each: $2,200 For more details and/or to purchase with woven piece, please click on this link.
debbiebarrettjones.com
Textile Artist
Debbie Barrett-Jones
Title: Orange, Red, Yellow, Green & Brown Series; #1 Size: 36” wide x 55” long Medium: hand-dyed , hand-woven Materials: cotten Year: 2005 Cost: $2,000 For more details and/or to purchase with woven piece, please click on this link.
debbiebarrettjones.com
Textile Artist
Debbie Barrett-Jones
Title: Orange, Red, Yellow, Green & Brown Series; #2 Size: 41” wide x 55” long Medium: hand-dyed , hand-woven Materials: cotten Year: 2005 Cost: $2,000 For more details and/or to purchase with woven piece, please click on this link.
debbiebarrettjones.com
Textile Artist
Debbie Barrett-Jones
Title: Orange, Red, Yellow, Green & Brown Series; #3 Size: 41” wide x 55” long Medium: hand-dyed , hand-woven Materials: cotten Year: 2005 Cost: $2,000 For more details and/or to purchase with woven piece, please click on this link.
debbiebarrettjones.com
Textile Artist
Debbie Barrett-Jones
Title: Orange, Red, Yellow, Green & Brown Series; #4 Size: 41” wide x 55” long Medium: hand-dyed , hand-woven Materials: cotten Year: 2005 Cost: $2,000 For more details and/or to purchase with woven piece, please click on this link.
debbiebarrettjones.com
Textile Artist
Title: Red to Green to Red 1 Size: 28” wide x 28” long Medium: Hand-dyed, hand-woven Materials: tencel Year: 2008 Cost: $450 - SOLD
Debbie Barrett-Jones
debbiebarrettjones.com
Textile Artist
Debbie Barrett-Jones
debbiebarrettjones.com
Title: Red to Green to Red 2 Size: 28” wide x 28” long Medium: Hand-dyed, hand-woven Materials: tencel Year: 2008 Cost: $450 For more details and/or to purchase with woven piece, please contact Debbie Barrett-Jones Textiles.
Textile Artist
Debbie Barrett-Jones
Title: Red to Orange Red 2 Size: 28” wide x 28” long Medium: Hand-dyed, hand-woven Materials: tencel Year: 2008 Cost: $450 For more details and/or to purchase with woven piece, please click on this link.
debbiebarrettjones.com
Textile Artist
Debbie Barrett-Jones
Title: Shades of Neutrals with Green and Dark Gray Sheer Size: 23” wide x 71” long Medium: Hand-dyed, hand-woven Materials: tencel Year: 2007 Cost: $700 For more details and/or to purchase with woven piece, please click on this link.
debbiebarrettjones.com
Textile Artist
Debbie Barrett-Jones
Title: Shades of Neutrals Oval Sheer Size: 28” wide x 56” long Medium: Hand-dyed, hand-woven Materials: tencel Year: 2007 Cost: $700 For more details and/or to purchase with woven piece, please click on this link.
debbiebarrettjones.com
Textile Artist
Debbie Barrett-Jones
Title: Shades of Neutrals Sheer Size: 17” wide x 52” long Medium: Hand-dyed, hand-woven Materials: tencel Year: 2006 Cost: $350 For more details and/or to purchase with woven piece, please click on this link.
debbiebarrettjones.com
Textile Artist
Debbie Barrett-Jones
Title: Green to Orange Open Sheer Size: 37” wide x 81 ” long Medium: Hand-dyed, hand-woven Materials: tencel Year: 2006 Cost: $1,100 For more details and/or to purchase with woven piece, please click on this link. Cost: $7,200
debbiebarrettjones.com
Textile Artist
Debbie Barrett-Jones
Title: Green to Orange Open Sheer Size: 37” wide x 81 ” long Medium: Hand-dyed, hand-woven Materials: tencel Year: 2006 Cost: $1,200 For more details and/or to purchase with woven piece, please click on this link.
debbiebarrettjones.com
Textile Artist
Debbie Barrett-Jones
Title: Shades of Green Ordinary Times Size: 35” wide x 34 1/2” long, Medium: Hand-dyed, hand-woven Materials: tencel Year: 2015 Cost: SOLD For more details and/or to purchase with woven piece, please click on this link.
debbiebarrettjones.com
Textile Artist
Debbie Barrett-Jones
Title: Shades of Blue and Green Sheer Size: 49 ” wide x 80 ” long Medium: Hand-painted, hand-woven Materials: tencel Year: 2006 Cost: $1,500 For more details and/or to purchase with woven piece, please click on this link.
debbiebarrettjones.com
Textile Artist
Debbie Barrett-Jones
Title: Shades of Blue and Green Sheer Size: 17 1/4" wide by 48" Medium: Hand-dyed, hand-woven Materials: tencel Year: 2007 Cost: $880 For more details and/or to purchase with woven piece, please click on this link.
debbiebarrettjones.com
Textile Artist
Debbie Barrett-Jones
Title: Pink and Oranges Sheer Size: 40 ” wide x 80 ” long Medium: Hand-painted, hand-woven Materials: tencel Year: 2006 Cost: $3,200 For more details and/or to purchase with woven piece, please click on this link.
debbiebarrettjones.com
Textile Artist
Debbie Barrett-Jones
Title: Pink and Oranges Sheer Size: 35 ” wide x 44” long Medium: Hand-painted, hand-woven Materials: tencel Year: 2006 Cost: $2,200 For more details and/or to purchase with woven piece, please click on this link.
debbiebarrettjones.com
Textile Artist
Debbie Barrett-Jones
Title: Sixty-five Colors #1 Size: 31” wide x 70” long Medium: Hand-dyed hand-woven Materials: tencel Year: 2013 Cost: $3,200 For more details and/or to purchase with woven piece, please click on this link.
debbiebarrettjones.com
Textile Artist
Debbie Barrett-Jones
Title: Sixty-five Colors #1 Size: 31” wide x 70” long Medium: Hand-dyed hand-woven Materials: tencel Year: 2013 Cost: $3,200 For more details and/or to purchase with woven piece, please click on this link.
debbiebarrettjones.com
Textile Artist
Debbie Barrett-Jones
Title: Warped Red Circles and Waves Diptych Size: 22” wide x 40” long each Medium: woven print Edition of 5 Materials: ink and aluminum Year: 2017 Cost: $3800 For more details and/or to purchase with woven piece, please click on this link.
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Textile Artist
Debbie Barrett-Jones
Title: Outside In Waves of Shades of Blue and Brown Size: 36” wide x 36” long each Medium: woven print Edition of 2 Materials: ink and aluminum Year: 2017 Cost: $3,300
debbiebarrettjones.com
Title: Inside Out Waves of Shades of Blue and Brown Size: 36” wide x 36” long each Medium: woven print Edition of 2 Materials: ink and aluminum Year: 2017 Cost: $3,300
For more details and/or to purchase with woven piece, please click on this link.
Textile Artist
Debbie Barrett-Jones
Title: Waves of Shades of Blue and Brown Size: 64” wide x 25” long each Medium: woven print Edition of 5 Materials: ink and aluminum Year: 2017 Cost: $2,800 For more details and/or to purchase with woven piece, please click on this link.
debbiebarrettjones.com
Textile Artist
Debbie Barrett-Jones
Title: Navy to Aqua to Brown Waves , Triptych Size: 105” wide x 75” long Medium: woven print Edition of 5 Materials: ink and aluminum Year: 2017 Cost: $8,500 For more details and/or to purchase with woven piece, please click on this link.
debbiebarrettjones.com
Textile Artist
Debbie Barrett-Jones
Title: Shades of Blues and Gold Waves and Ovals Size: 40” wide x 49” long each Medium: woven print Edition of 5 Materials: ink and aluminum Year: 2017 Cost: $2,800 For more details and/or to purchase with woven piece, please click on this link.
debbiebarrettjones.com
Textile Artist
Debbie Barrett-Jones
Title: Neutral Sheer Diamond Size: 31” wide x 31” long each Medium: woven print edition of 10 Materials: ink and aluminum Year: 2017 Cost: $900 For more details and/or to purchase with woven piece, please click on this link.
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Textile Artist
Debbie Barrett-Jones
Title:Coral and Silver Diamonds Part 2 Size: 36 wide x 24” long each Medium: woven print Materials: ink and aluminum Year: 2017 Cost: $560 For more details and/or to purchase with woven piece, please click on this link.
debbiebarrettjones.com
Title:Coral and Silver Diamonds Part 1 Size: 16” wide x 24” long each Medium: woven print Materials: ink and aluminum Year: 2017 Cost: $300
Textile Artist
Debbie Barrett-Jones
debbiebarrettjones.com
Healing with Weaving:
In 2003, my husband and I moved from a small town in Iowa to Kansas City so I could attend the Kansas City Art Institute. On the first day of my sophomore year, I stepped into the room full of looms and shelves of yarn and I was hooked to weaving from that day on. I fell in love with the process from start to finish. There is something magical that happens when I am sitting at the bench of my loom, in front of hours and hours of yarn dyeing and threading. And when I finally get to weave, thread by thread, beat by beat of my loom, it’s one of the most satisfying, rewarding and sometimes therapeutic experiences I have. Eight years ago I was selected to make a piece for the Lisa Barth Interfaith Chapel that was being built at Children's Mercy Hospital. Having my work in a hospital meant so much to me because before art school I pursued a career in nursing. After graduating from high school, I didn’t have confidence in my artistic abilities. So, I decided to pursue a career in nursing. But the moment I started nursing school, I was so surprised by the terrible feelings of doubt, discovering I was in the wrong place. Nursing wasn’t my calling even though I knew I wanted to help people. Many tears of shame and failure came in those weeks, knowing I had to give up what I thought was my "dream". I found out just days before the opening of the chapel that my work was hung in the hospital’s only room that is converted into a hospice room where grieving families will spend their last precious moments with their little loved ones before they pass, in a room with my artwork. At that moment, I remembered that great desire to become a nurse because I wanted to help bring comfort and healing to those that were hurting in a hospital setting. And I remembered the great sense of shame and failure I had when giving up that dream. Those feelings crept up in my life for years. And here I was, years later doing the thing I wanted to do, provide healing, but in the right way for me, by making art. I was humbled, in awe and incredibly grateful. From that day I have made it my mission to continue to make art that can provide some sort of healing to others. Since working with textiles in the last fifteen years I have had many stories like this. The process and the act of actually sitting at my loom and weaving have been a gift of healing to me in so many ways. It has helped me process and heal from loss, deal with health issues and chronic pain along with anxiety. Every day I get to sit at my loom is not only an act of creativity but is also therapeutic. Healing with Weaving Initiative, helps highlight the importance of how art can be a tool for healing and therapy, not only the making of art, but the viewing of art. Being an artist can be both draining and nutrioning, but overall it is much more nutritioning. It helps me get through life’s ups and downs, pain and anxiety. It has been a gift to me and I hope that my art can be a gift to others. My mission is to continue to create woven textiles and prints for homes, hospitals, counseling facilities and places of worship that inspire hope, harmony and healing. Please more information, please visit my website.