Dorothy Davenport

  I have been a fiber artist most of my life whether it has been working with fabric, yarn, threads, beads or reed.  Textures and colors excite me. Since retiring in 2003, I began to explore the tactile and textural qualities of three-dimensional pieces especially in my basketry. 

 I like to employ some native materials, such as cattails, iris leaves, grapevine, etc., for added color and texture. At completion each piece is sprayed with a protective polyurethane coating to preserve the colors and finish.

 The expressive possibilities in contemporary wicker fascinated me: the colors, the suppleness and diversity of the weaving elements, the feel and weight of the piece in my hands, the smoothly flowing shapes.