What if you could get unique handmade knitwear that also embraced the spirit and feel of some of our most classic paintings like Monet? We stock a number of unusual and handmade items from Ireland and what drew our eye to Liz’s scarves were the sumptuous depth of her color choices that reflects the tones and colors found in classic paintings by artists such as Monet.
This is the closest we have to wearable art in our shop!
About Liz Christy
Liz is a textile designer and hand-weaver who lives and works in Annayalla just outside Castleblayney, among the rolling hills of County Monaghan in Ireland. She has passion for Irish textiles, which she weaves in her bright and airy workshop, Swallow Studios.
Liz’s love of colour echoes what she sees around her each day; fresh hues of springtime crocuses and bluebells, vibrant highlights in our summer landscape, rich shades of autumn and shimmering, water-filled winter scenes.
She draws her inspiration from the lush drumlin countryside and paintings by her favourite artist, Claude Monet. Paintings by Paul Gauguin and American artist, Edward Hopper have influence in some of her work too.
Liz says its essential that she can truly guarantee that her textile designs are genuinely hand-woven in Ireland. Hand-weaving is an age old craft and her looms are powered by hand and foot and all her work has a woven selvedge. Every piece is knotted and washed by hand to finish and bring out the luxurious softness of the wool.
Wearable Art
When Liz was about 15 years old she discovered Claude Monet. Her art teacher opened the windows of wonder for her with his beautiful violet colours and painting style….what a combination and she was hungry to see more of his work. She didn’t know then the path her life would follow, into the world of colour and texture, and that Monet would accompany her along the way.
But accompany her he has, and this collection of handcrafted designer scarves is now her signature collection.
We have two sizes in stock in the store, a standard scarf size and a larger scarf / shawl that could also be worn over the shoulder.
Her loom was set up in her cottage after some time away from it. Liz ordered her first box of yarn which she excitedly spread on the floor. She sat in the middle of the cones of color and thought ‘what next’. Inspiration came in the form of a book she bought about Claude Monet. She draped swatches of colored yarn across the beautiful Impressionist paints. The muse had struck and continues to inspire her daily as she dyes and weaves.
Hence why we genuinely feel these scarves are Wearable Art ~ Inspired by Art