Susan Ferguson

Today’s artist is Susan Ferguson, a weaver and fiber artist creating finely crafted meditative works that reflect a love of natural forms and colors. We think you’ll enjoy her work\

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Weaving and the fiber arts have shown me a positive, meditative path to self-discovery, creativity and joy. I work at the rigid heddle loom, doing plain weave mostly with my fingers. I use a mixture of traditional materials such as yarns and non-traditional materials such as wire, deconstructed clothing, natural components and industrial objects to create highly textured pieces that express my intuitions about two very disparate topics: identity/emotional well-being and climate change/environmental sustainability.

The first topic is inward facing and projects a great deal of introspection and self-reflection; the significance of some works may seem obscure. The second topic is outward facing, and while just as analytical, audiences may find these works more literal in terms of colors and shapes. In a creative field that has traditionally emphasized a highly stylized and predictable form of beauty, y intention as a weaver is to create an unexpected aesthetic through combinations of traditional and unlikely materials.

The tactile experience of weaving, as well as the visual, is essential to my efforts. My weavings and wall hangings are often messy and disheveled, reflecting the way I navigate in the world.

Here is the story of her journey:

Susan Ferguson holds two academic degrees in English (B.A. and M.A.). She worked for more than forty years in agriculture, journalism, writing, editing, marketing and teaching. In southern Arizona, during a hiatus from traditional employment, Susan discovered a passion for weaving and the fiber arts.

She lives now in Independence, MO, where her exploration and experimentation with weaving, tapestry and fiber art pleasantly consume much of her time. Susan is a member of several artist organizations, including the Weavers Guild of Greater Kansas City, Missouri Fiber Artists, American Tapestry Alliance and Surface Design Association.

Susan is a 2018-19 and 2019-20 ArtsKC Regional Arts Council Inspiration Grant recipient and is a participant in the 2020 Artist Inc. Live Kansas City artist entrepreneur program. Her work has been exhibited in galleries in Kansas City, MO; Liberty, MO; St. Louis, MO; Prairie Village, KS; Overland Park, KS and Santa Fe, NM. She sells her artwork at her BeautifullyWoven shop on Etsy and at The Artisan Market in Liberty, Mo.

She is available for commission work. She is currently taking art and weaving classes online at Diné College in Tsaile, AZ, located on the Navajo reservation.

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Your can get in touch with Susan here:

www.etsy.com/shop/BeautifullyWoven