Kelly Marshall

Wise Virgin

12″ x 12″

Seine twine cotton warp, wool weft

NFS

kellymarshall.com
Insta: customwoveninteriors

Bio: Kelly Marshall’s textiles are inspired by traditions, from historic patterns to modern abstractions. Color is examined in the detailed blending of the threads, while undulating texture creates visual shadows and tactile pleasure. Created for functional use, Marshall’s textiles bring beauty to commercial and residential settings and add celebration to everyday living. She has a BS degree in Applied-Design Textiles from the University of Minnesota and studied design and weaving structure for one year in Forsa, Sweden. She founded the Minneapolis based company Custom Woven Interiors in 1992 and in 2012 self-published Custom Woven Interiors, Bringing Color and Design Home with Rep Weave.

Description: Lila Nelson was a patron of my textiles and a dear friend. She was my mentor and even assisted me when teaching my first ever weaving workshop at the Vesterheim Norwegian-American Museum in 2003. She shared with me many of her billedvev tapestry weavings over the years, one of which was The Wise and Foolish Virgin. In honor of her friendship and her life long contribution to Norwegian heritage, textiles, teaching and mentoring, I wove this billedvev tapestry. It depicts Lila, strong and smart, upon a horse holding a candle or light, not one of the foolish virgins holding a handkerchief with a swollen belly. I took a billedvev tapestry weaving class at the Vesterheim Museum from Robbie LaFleur to learn the technique.

kelly@kellymarshall.com