A LOOM WITH A VIEW

Welcome to the latest incarnation of the Sheila O'Hara web site with stunning landscapes and dancing sheep, and many of Sheila's other fiber fantasies that she has been weaving since 1976.

Lake Biwa - 31" x 20"

On the top of the page you will see a navigation bar with links to the various sections of the web site.

Start with the Gallery page to see a thumbnail view of some of Sheila's images, both old and new. Just click on a thumbnail to see a larger image and background information. There are even a few installation shots which can give you an idea of scale. Click on the Articles link to get a sampling of some of press coverage and Sheila's articles on her adventures to Egypt and Italy. The Resume link takes you to Sheila's current resume, teaching experience, and artist's statement. The links page has some great links to fiber art sites or other fun destinations. (Please submit links to your own fiber related pages and and we may include them.)

And if you happen to be interested in current works for sale click on the Market button located on the navigation bar.

Edward Curtis Tapestries

Pomo Girl - 36" x 20"

 

Since 2000 Sheila has been weaving a series of tapestries in fine cotton and lurex yarns on jacquard hand looms.

Lake Biwa depicts a serene lake with Japanese fishermen from a photograph taken in 1953 by Sheila's mom, Betsy O'Hara, while living in Japan.
Horseplay celebrates the changing of the seasons as a black horse grazes in a meadow carpeted with yellow wildflowers near Upper Lake, CA.
GMO-OMG addresses the issue of GMO plants and their affects on our agriculture.
Sunpower captures the glorious beauty of sunflowers growing in the Napa Valley.
Birds of a Feather addresses the issue of global warming through love.
Konocti Twilight presents a view of Mt. Konocti and Clearlake at twilight behind a black silhouetted tree in Lake County, CA.
Global Healing speaks to the need to take care of our fragile planet. >>>>
The Flockettes are baaaack in all four seasons with makeovers in fancier weaves and even more colors. Both big and mini versions are available.

The following three tapestries have SOLD OUT but are still included on the MarketPlace pages to enjoy as images:

King Pup and Queen Cleopetra celebrate two of Sheila & Bill's beloved pets. Blossom Creek is a lovely springtime setting of blossoming trees in the foreground and rolling vineyards in the background near Calistoga, CA.

These tapestries are part of Sheila's experimentations on jacquard hand looms that allow jacquard weaving in a small format. This represents an exciting new direction for Sheila's designs, far more detailed than her earlier weavings. Some are now photo realistic. This is a limited series so if the piece is not in stock, contact Sheila about placing an order. Please go to the Market page for details.

In 2008 Sheila's studio became home to "Big Mama", a second hand AVL jacquard hand loom with 672 hooks. This loom came to Sheila through the amazing generosity of Mim Wynne in Arkansas. Lake Biwa, the first tapestry Sheila wove on her new loom, is shown above left and featured in the Nov/Dec 2008 issue of Handwoven, pages 60-61.

<<<Since 2009, Sheila has been creating exciting interpretations of Edward Curtis photogravure prints taken in the early 1900’s. These public domain images take on a new tactile presence as very popular lush tapestries. “A Pomo Girl” was the first image she brought to life in classic sepia tones. See the Market Place page 3 for other images and click here to read an article about the whole project.

She hopes that you will enjoy their company in your home or office.


E-Mail Sheila for comments, suggestions, or ordering information.
E-Mail Webmaster for broken links, problems with the site or technical questions.
Site best viewed at 800x600 resolution and maximum color depth.
All designs and web content copyright © Sheila O'Hara 1980 - 2017


Global Healing - 55" x 20"

TIMELESS NOW

The Egyptians gather again
In the heat of the desert night
And disappear with the dawn
As the string stretches
From your hand
Then onward into infinity
I go where dreams hold dreamers
Like flowers in the snow
These words are secrets that I hide from myself
In thousands of scenes
And under endless millions of stars
As a Chinaman watches
Ageless women dance in the moonlight
In the arc of space
Ours is the promise
For tomorrow is when you made it
And today is here
For as long as these waters flow
I see myself in everything
And everything sees through me
The pattern of the weave
In garments worn by the seed
In this its journey

Brian O’Hara
1944-2012