Click to link to the currently available scarves: Handpainted Scarves

Runway photos by Richard Kain of Minneapolis, MN  (612) 379-4253

See his work at www.mnartists.org

Artists Statement: Artwear In Motion 2003

Theme: Creating the Future

     This group of  hand woven apparel was inspired by my dreams,  Armenian family stories and research into Middle Eastern textiles and history .  “The Itinerant Circus” is created from a dream about a matriarchal ancestor who was the leader of traveling circus performers.  “Morcord’s Kimono” speaks of home life.  Red and yellow are important colors in Armenian wedding costumes.  In Armenian culture, each woman’s apron is unique, and expresses her own personal history.  “Entari Ensemble” is my interpretation of a common Middle Eastern garment.  “Hidden Stories” asks questions about what it is like to be behind a veil.  The cocoon-like form of the cloak emphasizes this wrapping of  women, but we can still move beneath the cloth.  I have taken my ancestral past and mixed it with my present crafts of weaving and sewing to create wearables of the future.

"I fell in love with Cynthia's work the first time I saw it.  The rich symbology and beautiful colors are unique and beautiful expressions.  I asked Cynthia to design a ceremonial robe for me to wear in conjunction with my wedding festivities.  The result went far beyond my expectations.  I wore this beautiful robe for the rehearsal dinner, after the ceremony and during our honeymoon and felt like a queen.  As a sound healer and performer it is now a regular part of my performances.  As I sat praying before my October concert, I could feel the power of the colors and the symbols that surrounded me.  Cynthia is a weaver not only of material, but of magic."  - Amy Robbins-Wilson

     To learn more about Amy's work, see her website:      http://www.geckoinflight.com (click to link)

Explanations of symbols are from research into Middle Eastern rug designs, and my own intuition.

The Goddess is an ancient symbol expressing reverence for the feminine.  The Triple Goddess represents the three stages in a woman's life: child, mother* and crone.  While weaving the Goddess, I unexpectedly felt a powerful energy in her image.

The center image represents Fertility*.

*Not just in a reproductive sense, but applying to anything people do.

Back

Front reverse side

Back reverse side.

The Home is at center top, the Tree of Life (the ancient, current and future family) at right and left, and the Comb (protects marriage) at bottom center.

Headdresses, Masks and Prints

 Clothing designs are inspired by my Armenian ancestry and dream imagery.  I have worked in the printmaking medium to express these ideas, and I am enjoying translating them into fiber also. 

Morcord's Melons 

etching chin colle 

Itinerant Circus 

woodcut, watercolor, pen

Fiberarts Design Book 7

I had a garment juried into the newest Fiberarts Design Book.   It is published by Lark Books, and is full of inspirational fiber work of all kinds.   See the Lark Books website for more information: www.larkbooks.com