Presenting a Gallery of Color ...
Nan Halberg has always been captivated by color and pattern.
Games like Chinese checkers and puzzles reinforced this fascination
and also piqued a lifelong interest in problem solving. Challenges
posed by "follow the dots" or "find the way through
the maze" puzzles still engross her; in visualizing them
as patterns transposed into colors, "voila!" she exclaims,
"there's something very interesting going on."
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Nan admits she is one of those people "who can't draw,"
so it took time and experience for her to realize that she possessed
artistic abilities and drive nonetheless. She discovered her
creativity through her work in analysis and problem solving as
a Finance Project Coordinator, "I spend a lot of time trying
to see the 'picture' of a new system or process. If I can draw
a diagram or matrix of information, then answers become clearer."
Nan realized that she could apply these skills back to more elemental
and "fun" stuff. After taking a class in the history
of textiles, she started hand dyeing fibers which led to weaving.
"Then," she says, "It finally began to 'click.'"
She describes her quest, "I finally could see the common
patterns or 'threads' (pun intended) of activities that have
intrigued me through the years. Now I am more focused on exploring
color, fiber, pattern, and find that various activities contribute
to ideas and learning across several techniques."
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Color and understanding how to combine varied tones and hues
has always seemed second nature to her - the more colors, the
better! It was finding the variegated threads, such as Watercolours,
which drew her back into stitching, in that "color is the
point of the piece," but they also posed a dilemma of sorts:
"How can I play with these? What will heighten the sensory
impact of all of these colors?" It was her love of problem
solving which pointed the way. Nan explains: "I started
finding pattern possibilities - Celtic knots, Chinese lattice
windows, alphabet variations, geometric rug patterns and so on."
Contrasts intrigue her too, giving as an example the word, bittersweet,
one of her favorites. She sets up challenges - striving to express
opposites and other disparities visually.
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Her artistic style? "Colorful," she states without
hesitation, but also describes it as, "Controlled - I like
the challenge of detail and intricacy within the grid of the
canvas Musical or poetry composition comes to mind . .
. rules like 3 movements to a symphony, or x syllables in haiku
etc. . . .provide a framework for creative expression within
some pre-defined boundaries. Part of the fun challenge becomes
how to convey something satisfying or meaningful within parameters."
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Nan's recent focus has been on fabric dyeing and Temari balls.
She plans to develop classes for Temari balls due to the widespread
interest expressed. Whatever her next project, there's one thing
you can be sure of - it will feature colors which compel, contain
a challenge to intrigue and combine these attributes in a harmonious
yet striking design.
For more information contact Nan Halberg
Colorific Thread and Dye Works
109 Windsor Drive
Petaluma, CA 94952
E mail: nhalberg@home.com
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