Deborah Jarchow and Gerri Johnson-McMillin
Camarillo, California
The Fiber Arts Studio at Studio Channel Islands Art Center in Camarillo, California, is run by Deborah Jarchow and Gerri Johnson-McMillin, who are both artists-in-residence there. The studio is a 36- by 30-foot room, with 12- to 14-foot ceilings pitching in the middle. There are huge windows for outside light and overhead color-corrected fluorescent lighting. There are nine looms in two-thirds of the space where Deborah and Gerri teach weaving workshops and also weave their own creations. The other third of the room contains Gerri’s workspace for her fishbone baskets, tables for teaching workshops and their own use, and organized bins for storing supplies. One wall has eight six-shelved racks full of fibers and yarns, arranged by fiber content and then colors (as best as we can keep them that way).
The colorful racks of yarn also act as inspiration for Deborah’s weaving projects. As she weaves, she gazes either at the rainbow of cones or out the window at the lovely garden and imagines future color combinations.
Gerri’s inspiration comes from viewing the many colorful monofilament (fishing line) spools that are displayed on the wall above her work place. Other various ocean materials (seaweed, dried fish skins, fishbones, and various shells) and photos of jellyfish, anemones, sea creatures, coral, underwater environments, and sunsets mounted on the wall also inspire her.
For both Deborah and Gerri, the studio space is a dream come true. To be able to create in a wonderful environment, tucked in the hills, with other artists around in their studios, and to further the knowledge of fiber arts in the community through teaching, exhibiting, and demonstrating: they feel truly blessed. |
Deborah Jarchow, Cascade, 2005; rayon chenille, rayon elastic thread; handwoven, plain weave; 216" x 48". Photo: Deborah Jarchow. |
Gerri Johnson-McMillin, Paradise (double vessel), 2005; fishbone, multi orange/blue monofilament (outside vessel), blue monofilament (inside vessel), glass beads; woven; 4 1/2" tall, 6" in diameter. Photo: Gerri Johnson-McMillin.
Artist websites: www.studiochannelislands.org, www.deborahjarchow.com |
