Designer Spotlight Blog Post – Cynthia Newman
Welcome back to our Designer Spotlight series. This week’s feature comes from Cynthia Newman, a delightful designer who lives and designs in Eastern Oregon. Among many other projects, Cynthia received Master Weaver certification from Handweavers Guild of America in 2018; completed work as a Look Development Textile Designer for the feature film Missing Link (she wove fabric for one of the characters!) and was awarded Best Technical Excellence for Color Blocks I, II & III in Weaving Guilds of Oregon traveling exhibition in 2018, and Best of Show for Five Stories Up in 2023. We have been fortunate to have worked with Cynthia for several projects in Handwoven Magazine as well as the kits that she has designed for us. She really is a Master Weaver, and we are excited to share her stories with you!
Please note that all photos are used with Cynthia's permission, and all the photos belong entirely to her.
Meet the Designer, Cynthia Newman!
Tell us about yourself.
I am drawn to weaving because I love cloth. I love the feel of it, the drape of it, and the possibility it holds. I enjoy clean, pared-down design, but easily slip into chaos, so I am always looking for the balance between the two.
I weave scarves and shawls, and lately have been working on wall pieces, and am fascinated by bringing the scale up to a larger format. Color is a big draw, and satin is my go-to structure, but I am finding that summer and winter is an interesting structure with many possibilities for block design and color blending on fewer shafts.
I live in northeast Oregon and have a small studio in our home. I mainly keep everything contained in one a small room and routinely move furniture to make room for warping, but the looms are beginning to spill out a bit…
How did you get started in weaving?
It was a winding path that led me to weaving. I started out studying graphic design at Oregon State University and became interested in fiber when I saw “The Art Fabric: Mainstream” exhibition at the Portland Art Museum. I was blown away by the large sculptures and the environment created by some of the hanging pieces.
I was selected to study printed and woven textile design at Gray’s School of Art in Aberdeen Scotland in 1982-1983. My primary focus was print design and I loved the freedom and the school’s approach to design.
Five Stories Up detail
When I returned to OSU, I learned how to weave in the fibers program in the art department. Pat Spark was my professor and taught a very comprehensive weaving course, she opened my eyes to many artists and techniques and pushed me hard, which I appreciated.
Pat Spark introduced me to Barbara Weissman, a production weaver, who I worked for as an apprentice for two years, weaving and sewing. She was a great mentor and introduced me to sectional warping and weaving on an AVL.
Mary Berent, Vila Cox and Rebecca Winter have been supportive weaving teachers, mentors and friends, who have shared their extensive knowledge of weave structure with me. I have also taken many excellent workshops at conferences and schools with knowledgeable, generous instructors who have helped me along the way.
What looms do you use?
Oh my, is this the public confession part? My first loom was a Gilmore 8-shaft floor loom. I wove on Gilmore looms in college and so it was the first loom I wanted to have, and it has been my faithful loom for almost 40 years. I have a 16-shaft AVL Compu-Dobby 1, it is big and old, fits great and I love it. It is similar to the AVL I wove on in the 1980’s as a production weaver so of course it is filled with many good memories. I also have an 8-shaft Ashford table loom, a Schacht inkle loom, and a Mirrix tapestry loom, which are all great looms too.
Special tools for weaving?
I was given a hand-forged heddle hook as a gift which fits perfectly in my hand, and I can’t imagine warping without it.
Silk Merino Camel scarf
Favorite weave structure?
My favorite weave structure is satin – satin blocks/damask.
Favorite Lunatic Fringe Yarns product?
I have many favorites from Lunatic Fringe Yarns. The Tubular Spectrum™ mercerized cotton colors make my heart race with their pure colors, and the Grays intrigue me with their ability to move the brights into such interesting tones.
The Lyte Hemp™ yarns, when woven and finished, have such a nice feel which is great for towels and garment fabrics.
Your inspiration? Who or what inspires you as a weaver?
So many people inspire me, all types of artists really. I like to observe the world around me, taking it in. I find a lot of inspiration in architecture and the natural world.
Why do you weave?
I think originally, I wanted to weave because I just wanted to make cloth, but now it is how I think. I am a very curious person, and I want to explore ideas on the loom. Sometimes I think it would be easier to express a particular idea in painting, but I want to create something tactile, so I weave.
What are you up to?
My weaving time is limited by operating a really fun outdoor recreation business in the summer, so I am focused on weaving in the winter months when I am with my looms. I find that keeping a sketch book with me allows me to jot down ideas which are rambling around in my brain, and it keeps me connected to weaving. I plan to attend the ANWG conference in Washington state this summer.
Last Question...Cake or Pie?
I love rhubarb pie because I grow rhubarb in our garden, and it makes me think of my Mom.
Thanks Cynthia!
Thank you for sharing your experiences with us! We can’t wait to see where your artistic journey takes you next!