My grandmother was a weaver and I think a love of textiles is in my genes. "A Scandinavian sense of colour and design, an affinity with the natural world and attention to finishing details are the hallmarks of the handwoven arts of Janet Whittam..." Read the rest of a recent review from an arts publication.I started weaving in 1972 after a few classes from Robert Cawood in Toronto. In the autumn of that year I moved to the countryside south of Ottawa and since then have been refining my skills and re-defining my products. In the last 2 decades I have also been weaving baskets, multimedia, full of colour and texture. I have studied with many fibre artists from Canada, the United States and around the world.
Under contract with the Canadian government, I was a weaver at the 2002 World Summit in Johannesburg, South Africa. Read more. For over twenty years I have exhibited and sold at shows, galleries and fine craft stores throughout Ontario, as well as at studio tours and the Ottawa Valley Spinners and Weavers Guild annual "Celebration of Textiles". Teaching is something I really enjoy. I hold loom weaving classes in my studio in the winter months and basketry classes between May and October. In my work, I have developed weaves that are sturdy but drape well, rag rugs and household linens that will withstand decades of use. I use natural fibres in rich colours, and locating materials is a constant preoccupation. Many of the materials I use for basketry grow in my garden, and others are gathered on my travels. I take pride in finishing techniques that ensure a long life for the product. Customer service is a priority in my business. Custom orders teach me a lot as I stretch my techniques to meet particular requirements.
I am involved with every step of the process. I have worked with the same seamstress for the past 20 years and we confer on every detail. My husband John assists me in countless ways. Richard Hinchcliff is my web master. |
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