In conversation with fiber artist Meghan Shimek

In Oakland, California, Meghan crafts expansive woven wall hangings and sculptures. Her captivating creations are ethereal, whimsical, and delicate, yet grounded in the warm, earthy materials she employs. By exploring organic movement, Shimek’s weaving technique permits the fibers to drape into unpredictable patterns, highlighting the natural beauty and fragility of her materials.

Meghan, where do you get your inspiration for colors and compositions?

It has shifted over time. When I first began I worked a lot in neutrals and some blues mostly. But as time went on, and I was able to expand my collection of wool, I started using more color. I’ve always been into gradients, I find them really beautiful and calming. I also think they compliment the wool when it is woven. My work is based in emotion and really started from a time in my life when I was experiencing a lot of grief.

How important is mastering the craft of weaving for your art?

I have taken some traditional weaving classes: tapestry, Navajo, rigid heddle and floor loom weaving, but I found my voice and aesthetic when I allowed my hands and body to create their own style. I am really glad that I have a foundation in traditional weaving techniques and I still like to use them when I can!

How did you arrive at these dimensions?

I was initially drawn to large scale work because I was having a lot of big, big feelings. My father passed away suddenly and then I went through a divorce soon after. I became a single mom and had to really keep it together, so weaving on a large scale helped me to process these feelings and make myself feel seen. Now I love creating large scale work for so many reasons, it still helps with feelings and gets me into a meditative state, but I love the challenge, I love creating something that didn’t exist before and I feel like my pieces are a really comforting a safe place to be.

I love creating large scale work for so many reasons, it still helps with feelings and gets me into a meditative state. I feel like my pieces are a really comforting a safe place to be.

Meghan Shimek

What does your design phase look like – do you work out ideas in theory beforehand,
or is it a creative and intuitive process that arises and develops during weaving?

This is a big one that has changed and I am reevaluating right now! At the beginning I never planned anything out. I would just go for it. I rarely even knew what colors I was going to use. As time went on, I started experimenting more with color. I would get an idea and then make several pieces in the same vein. However, working with clients that are commissioning large pieces of artwork, they want to see sketches of what I will make for them ahead of time! I work alongside my clients to choose a design, usually based on something I have made in the past, then we choose colors and size and go from there. That same process has spilled over into my solo practice and I find myself getting really stuck, so I am trying to go back to the old way and just see what happens!

Is each of your pieces unique?

They are all unique in that there is no way to exactly duplicate any of them. I have had pieces I love that I will make something similar a few times, I’ve had clients who ask for something that they’ve seen before and I work with Minted selling made to order pieces through their website. Those pieces will be similar to what is shown, but again, no two pieces are exactly the same.

You also give workshops online and in Oakland – what do your participants learn
there?

I teach a beginners workshop where each student learns four techniques and then has time to explore their creative process. The wool I use is quite expensive and most people don’t have access to 75+ colors at home, so it’s a great way for people to have so much to choose from as well as being in a creative environment. It is a really fun class, I’ve had many students take it two or three times! More recently I have only been teaching in Oakland or San Francisco, but I’ve also taught in Paris, Brazil and across the United States!

What is so special for you about wool as a material?

It’s really important to me to consider our environment when choosing my materials. Wool is an incredible fiber and has so many health benefits as well as being compostable! It is one of the more sustainable materials and, as we can see from tapestries from the middle ages, it can last a long, long time. Wool can be used for so many things and I don’t let any go to waste. Any scraps that I don’t use I donate to spinners, felters and classrooms so other people can have access to materials that they may not have otherwise.

We have many readers who come from the fashion industry – do you see any overlap
between your techniques and artwork and fashion?

I do! I have worked with several brands to create backdrops and props for fashion shows and sets. But, also, since young age, I have wanted to make clothing. The wool I usually use is too delicate to make wearables, however, I began working with a woman’s collective in Nepal who are creating felted yarn and wool objects that I am experimenting with to make some clothing!

I teach a beginners workshop where each student learns four techniques and then has time to explore their creative process. More recently I have only been teaching in Oakland or San Francisco, but I’ve also taught in Paris, Brazil and across the United States!

Unlock your creativity with Meghan Shimek’s online weaving workshop!