Karen Riches – Weaving, Photography

I love to weave and to spin. I can’t remember a time when I could sit still without either reading or doing something with my hands. I leaned early to knit. Spinning came next, then weaving, which led to dyeing. My version of reincarnation is to turn fibre a brilliant colour. I might end up over-dying it a dozen times before I am satisfied. I like vivid colours and contrast

Nature is full of contrasts. My work space is my home that looks out on Clayton Lake. I spend a lot of my time outside with my camera, which is really an extension of my arm. I have no formal training, but have an eye for shape and form, which comes in handy when designing my hand woven textiles.

I have a sixteen harness computerized loom. I thought if I ever had sixteen harnesses, I would never want anything more. FAT CHANCE. Now I want thirty two harnesses because I have discovered endless possibilities by using a computerized weave design programme. Computers allow the weaver to play WHAT IF.

My first full time employment was as a secretary in a photographic studio, for which I had no training or experience. Fortunately a real secretary was hired and I was promoted to being general dog’s body. To keep me happy with the ho-hum part of photography, my marvellous boss would throw a camera in my hand at lunch, telling me to go out and shoot a roll of film. Upon returning, I processed my film along with the photographer’s. I had a great time.

I got married, lived in Australia for five years, and had three kids. Photography was no longer affordable. When the digital age came along, I was able to play again. I now have a 500 mm Sigma lens for my Nikon camera. When I go kayaking I observe the wildlife, especially the many breeds of birds the Clayton area is blessed with. It is thrilling to observe a loon with a new chick on her back, or a Great Blue Heron at the point of liftoff. It is a toss up in the summer whether to weave, sit and spin on the deck, or go kayaking with my camera.