Paintings


Ocotillo, 100% wool, hand-signed by the artist, introduced fall 2006

Pendleton announces new artist series


Exclusive Tapestries Feature Prominent Northwest Artists

PORTLAND, Ore. (Feb. 28, 2005) - Weaving art is not new to Pendleton Woolen Mills, the company renowned for designing and weaving colorful, intricate Indian trade blankets for nearly a century. But wool tapestries by contemporary artists are new and are the latest addition to the company's fall 2005 line of unique specialty home products.
 

The works of two Oregon artists, Molly Cliff Hilts of Portland and Paul Alan Bennett of Sisters, are woven into Pendleton's exclusive Contemporary Artist Series. The limited-edition tapestries offer a new medium for art ranging from contemporary to traditional.

"This series represents an entirely new category of textile design for the company." says Robert Christnacht, who heads the company's Home and Blanket Divisions and is spearheading the project for Pendleton. "Our original Indian trade blankets have been used as wall art since they were first produced nearly 100 years ago. This new application takes inspiration from two other visual mediums (gouache, an opaque watercolor technique, and encaustic, hot wax with pigment) and weaves it into a form of textile design perfect for a broad range of interior spaces."

Woven by Pendleton, these new tapestries take weaving to new heights, achievable because of recent advancements in both weaving technology and Pendleton's expertise in specialty weaving. The quest to develop quality woven art has for many years been in the forefront for company Vice Chairman Brot Bishop. Experimenting with the technology for several years, Bishop worked with Pendleton's mill to develop the four exclusive tapestries offered in the new series. According to the artists, he has achieved his goal.

"All of us at Pendleton could not be more pleased and proud to offer this new and dynamic form of wall art," says Christnacht. "It was an incredible challenge to capture the quality and texture of the paintings on our looms and I am personally very proud of the results. It is exceptionally gratifying to know that Paul and Molly are as well."

The designs are limited editions with only 750 of each produced. Each piece is hand-signed and numbered and comes with a certificate of artistry.

Pendleton products are available at select department stores, specialty stores, and the Pendleton retail stores nationwide. Pendleton merchandise can also be ordered online at the company's website or in Pendleton's seasonal catalogs.