|
For those who love baskets,
Carol Emarthle-Douglas is a treasure. She captures the
richness of Native cultures
that have elevated baskets from utility to fine art. She
makes baskets in the styles of many nations. The baskets
are contemporary, but made with traditional techniques
and native materials, such as cedar bark and cedar roots,
bear grass, cornhusks, pine needles, as well as, contemporary
materials like commercial reed, hemp, raffia and Irish
waxed linen thread. "As a contemporary weaver, I am
always looking for ways to add new colors and textures
to a basket," says Carol. |
"I am fortunate to be a part of two cultures, Seminole
and Northern Arapaho," says Carol. As a result of her
dual heritage, Carol has learned the styles, patterns and
colors from Tribes in the Southeast, as well as the Plains.
But, not stopping there, her interest in basket techniques
led her to master weavers from the Skokomish, Pomo, Colville
and Haida who have shared their skills with her.
| As a result of her constant
experimentation with old and new materials, she makes
small “treasure” baskets
and cedar “basket pouches” strung on glass
beads and shell, with amazingly detailed designs that
can be worn as jewelry. She makes miniature baskets small
enough to be worn as earrings, and large baskets with
intricate designs. Whatever the style, her baskets are
always a delightful surprise. Her work is unique; no
two baskets are ever alike. |
|
"I like to see if cedar will
work with waxed linen thread, or if cornhusk will work with
reed," says Carol. "I also like to challenge myself
to see if a certain picture or design will work on a basket
that I am creating. I look for inspiration in any design
that catches my eye, whether it is the design on a powwow
dancer’s dress, a design on pottery, jewelry, or in
everyday life such as a landscape or even modern architecture.
I am constantly looking for new designs to challenge me."
 |
Born
in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, Carol lives in the Seattle
area with her husband and two sons. "I learned
the art of basket weaving at the Basketry School of
Seattle," says Carol, taking classes while her
sons were young. At her first class on coiling, she
discovered her talent for weaving and working with
her hands. She entered her first competition in 1996
at Indian Art Northwest in Portland, Oregon, where
her basket won 1st place in the coiling division. "This
experience opened up a whole new world for me," says
Carol. "Imagine doing something that you love
and actually getting paid for it!" Since then,
Carol's work has been awarded ribbons from many other
shows. |
And, just as other weavers shared their
skills with her, Carol shares hers with others. She is
an active member
of the Northwest Native American Basketweavers Association
and the NW Basketry Guild in Seattle. She has taught basketry
at a Native Women’s consortium and the Huchoosedah’s
Culture Night in Seattle. A jingle dress dancer, she belongs
to a dance group that presents at schools and cultural
events.
| "Basket
weaving is a very time consuming art," says
Carol. "People that do it must be dedicated
because it is not easy to mass-produce baskets. The
traditional materials are getting harder to find
and gather, but by learning new techniques and incorporating
contemporary materials we can perpetuate and promote
the art of Native American basketry." |
|
The Indian Craft Shop represents artists from over 40
tribal areas within the United States. Located in the Department
of the Interior federal building at 18th and C Streets, the
Shop is open Monday thru Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Closed federal holidays. Open the third Saturday of each month
from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Photo ID required for entrance.
For more information, call 202-208-4056.
|
