“The Crow”  is pleased to welcome one of our many special dealers, Jayne Colburn who will be sharing and showing her art, Gourd Pine Needle Baskets.  Biographical information provided by Jayne below:

Nationally recognized artist, Jayne Colburn began working with natural fibers in 1985 to carry on the tradition of her grandparents who wove baskets for generations. She holds two degrees from Indiana University where she studied environmental sciences, communications, and anthropology. Her work had been exhibited in distinctive shows, museums, books, and galleries across the nation for over three decades. 

The Artist's Inspiration.........

My inspiration comes from my ancestors and the earth. My multicultural grandparents were basket makers for generations creating wares from willow, wheat stalk, pine needles and grasses. I carry on the family tradition but with a modern twist by combining ancient techniques with mixed materials. My soul is at home in nature, and I create each one-of-a-kind piece from my studio in the Rocky Mountains near Denver.  People often ask how long it takes to create each piece, but there's really no quantifiable answer. The process starts with a vision, then comes the collection and preparation of raw materials from a variety of landscapes across the country. I hand collect most of my materials but source others from growers and basket suppliers. I support small family farms and travel great distances to buy from them directly. Since my materials start raw, there's extensive time spent collecting, sorting, cleaning, and preparing and adding pigment before the weaving even begins. The coiling process I specialize in is very tedious and time consuming, but I get lost in the process. It's soul food for me. Each piece I create is like birthing a child with a unique personality and character.