Michigan’s Endangered Wildflowers: A Presentation by Artist Carol Irving

Michigan is home to many endangered, threatened, and special species of plants, including beautiful wildflowers. Drawing on her roots in botanical studies, artist Carol Irving accepted a unique challenge: Turn woven yarn into soil, forest litter, plants, and leaves. The result is a beautiful series of woven panels entitled “A Weaver’s Journal of Endangered Wildflowers”. In this special presentation, meet artist Carol Irving and hear about her moment of inspiration, how she created these panels, and what the experience taught her about the wildflowers of Michigan.
Artist Statement: I am a Fiber Artist, weaving large rugs and wall hangings. I began my journey at a young age, learning to knit from my grandmother. Later, working on a degree in Botanical Sciences, weaving as a form of expression, grabbed a hold of me and wouldn’t let go.Initially, the yarn spoke to me. My early creations were born of long walks in the woods collecting objects and ideas to bring to my work.Employing new techniques my designs, are often drawn from nature using organic images and shapes to express my love and appreciation of nature. I am also drawn to symmetrical and geometric shapes, using bold colors or just dark and light yarns to express my vision.​The process of weaving can be very meditative and grounding. It is very technical and mathematical too, I have to know exactly where I’m going before I get there. Weaving, using the interlacements of yarns, gives me an outlet to express myself that I haven’t been able to find elsewhere.Artist website: carolirving.comYou can also follow Carol Irving on Facebook and Instagram.