stephanie tames

Bio

Longleaf pine needle art is in many ways an extension of my other art
form: writing. Both use different elements to weave together an object or story that, I hope, others find compelling. I have been a writer for most of my professional life with publications in national and regional magazines and newspapers. I also write for public radio. Publications include Self, Parenting, Washington Post Magazine, and Nature Conservancy Magazine.

While working as the public relations and marketing coordinator for a
public botanical garden in Statesboro, GA, I became interested in the longleaf pine ecosystem. In 2002 I began experimenting with longleaf pine needle weaving. I am entirely self-taught. My baskets have found homes across the U.S. and internationally. I’ve shown my work at a number of exhibits in Georgia, and teach longleaf pine basket making throughout the state.

www.stephanietames.com
  • Click here to View Stephanie Tames's Artist Statement

Artist Statement

I have always been interested in weaving as a metaphor for how we shape
and are shaped by both the threads of our lives and our environment. I have
tried to find expression for that metaphor through longleaf pine needle baskets.
It didn’t come to me naturally or quickly. Although I had experience weaving
other types of baskets, I didn’t take to longleaf pine needle weaving immediately.
Pine needles are hard to work with. They resist bending, break easily and are
as sharp as, well, needles. And making a pine needle basket takes hours, days,
weeks of work and patience. Learning to make a pine needle basket was as
difficult for me as it was adjusting to living in the southeastern coastal plain, a
place of relentless summer heat, bothersome gnats, and sandy soil. It wasn’t
until I began to learn about and appreciate the coastal plain and the unique
longleaf pine ecosystem that once covered the area that I was able to find
expression in longleaf pine needle baskets. I now have a deep attachment to
longleaf pines and feel fortunate to be able to use this native resource to express
my art.

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