About

Artist Statement:

Harmony is the key element in my artwork and can be defined as the pleasing arrangements of parts that bring an inner sense of order. In my weavings these pleasing arrangements of parts are brought out in a gradation of color, pattern, spacing, scale and composition.  The process of weaving completely fascinates me from the beginning to completion and being able to control the whole process of weaving is extremely important in my work. From the start of a project with drawing out the plans and drafting the pattern and scale, to dyeing all my yarn using a gradation percentage process.  

When I begin to weave I am aware that the space between each thread shot is just as important as the line the thread makes itself.  And when it is time for the installation, taking time and consideration of the space around the woven panel is just as important as the piece itself.   All these elements within the process are equally essential in creating stimulating and calming art.

It is so easy to live each day being distracted and overwhelmed with worries and the chaos of our busy lives that we don’t take the time to slow down and allow ourselves to enjoy a calming moment.  The goal in creating my art is to be able to give my viewer the opportunity to have time to slow down and breath, being stimulated by visual art that is pleasing to the eye and peaceful to the mind.

As a weaver; I get to see and be apart of the transformation of a white cone of yarn into a colorful, delicate piece of fabric. Just recently I have been able to take that delicate piece of fabric giving it new life. By taking images of my woven work and coming up with new designs and compositions through photography and digitally manipulation, then having those designs and having them printed on a variety of different materials like paper, aluminum metal, and fabric. 

Artist Bio:

Textiles artist, Debbie Barrett-Jones left her small town in Iowa so she could pursue an education at the Kansas City Art Institute (KCAI) and since graduation, has exhibited her work throughout the United States, including the Kansas City area locations, such as; Children’s Mercy Hospital in North Kansas City, Truman Medical Center, Community Christian Church, Lead Bank in the Crossroads of Kansas City and The Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art. And in late 2016, she collaborated with the Kansas City Ballet for an art installation and performance called Unspoken. Barrett-Jones is currently working on her Master of Fine Art at the University of Kansas focusing on textiles along with teaching weaving courses to KU undergraduates.

In 2016, she began to envision the "Healing with Weaving" initiative, to highlight the importance of how art, specifically weaving, can be a therapeutic tool for healing. The first Healing with Weaving Community Outreach Program’s pilot project at Children’s Mercy Hospital Adele Hall Campus in Kansas City, MO. The project provides 200 Healing with Weaving Frame Loom Kits with instructions to be used by patients, family members and staff to explore the meditative and therapeutic benefits of weaving during the summer and fall of 2021. Currently, Barrett-Jones was one of nineteen Kansas City artists to be commissioned to make permanent public artwork for the new KCI Airport that will open in the spring of 2023.

Artist Contact Information

Websites: DebbieBarrettJones.com, WovenRepeat.com & HealingwithWeaving.com
Blogs: DebbieBarrettJones.Blogspot.com & DebbieBarrettJones.Patreon.com Social Media: Facebook & Instagram
Email: debbiebarrettjonestextiles@gmail.com

The artwork is also available to view and purchase at Leedy-Voulkos Art Center | KCMO.