When I say “yarn painting,” what do you envision?
Photo by Pixelverve.com via Wikimedia Commons
Yarn strands dipped in paint and swirled on canvas?
Nice idea, popular with the kiddos, but that’s not quite what I meant.
Painting skeins of yarn?
Gorgeous …
Photos courtesy of Poppy Gall Design Studio
But, I’m thinking along a different thread.
Yarn painting doesn’t actually have anything to do with paint, per say, but the end result could be confused with a painting,
Photo of traditional Huichol string art by Jebulon via Wikipedia
until you look at it up close …
Photo of traditional Huichol string art by AlejandroLinaresGarcia via Wikimedia Commons
This rather unusual art form hails from the rugged mountains and remote villages of the Sierra de Nayarit, north of Guadalajara, Mexico—home of the Huichol (“wee chol”) Indians.
Photo by Tomas Castelazo via Wikipedia
Traditionally, yarn paintings depicted ceremonies and myths involving powers that were believed to emanate from within the souls of plants and animals. Corn, the Huichols’ primary crop, often held a prominent place in the paintings. “Without a written language, this is how the Huichols pass on their stories of creation, floods, and the birth of their gods,” explains the Ann ArborArtCenter.
In the old days, Huichol artists created their magnificently colored “paintings” using hand-dyed wool yarn, beeswax, and wood. The wax, warmed by the hot Mexican sun, was spread on wood like glue, into which yarn strands were pressed, one by one. Tedious, perhaps, but totally amazing!
Photo courtesy of Gypsy Music
Today, artists often opt for good ol’ craft glue for yarn paintings. Whatever works, right?
Take a look at this simple tutorial and try your own!
These works of art look very tedious to do! I guess once you get the hang of it , the process flows better? The beautiful skeins of colored yarn hanging up in the sun make me want to knit!