Sally Bright

Each piece of artistic basketry is an original creation, designed and woven entirely by Sally without assistance from employees, apprentices, or helpers. She first studies an idea through drawings and fashioning small clay models, giving careful thought to shape and color as integral elements of the design.As she begins work on the actual piece, Sally mentally enlarges the design to full size. She does not use molds or armatures to form her creations. Rather, she determines how to distort the warp and weft of the weave around a virtual shape of air to create a sturdy, valid sculpture that retains the integrity of the weave. The flowing shapes are deliberately formed during the weaving process. Growing the piece one row, one stitch at a time, until the shape is completed.Her creations are made mostly of rattan and palm. Sally may also harvest and use other plant materials, as well as metals, plastics and handmade papers. After the piece has been woven she paints the basket by applying 10 – 50 layers of translucent artist acrylics with an airbrush, followed by 3 coats of sealant.Depending on the intricacy of the design and the detail involved, it may take up to three months to complete a piece.