James Koehler and his Tapestries

James Koehler was a tapestry weaver living in northern New Mexico. He was a creator of rich, vibrant tapestries and also educated hundreds of students in the art of tapestry weaving. He passed away unexpectedly on March 4, 2011 at 58 years of age. This video, made 10 years after his death, celebrates his work and looks at some of his inspiration through the eyes of one of his apprentices, Rebecca Mezoff. You can find more information about James including a link to purchase his book here: rebeccamezoff.com/james
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Rebecca Mezoff is a passionate tapestry artist, teacher, and author. You can find more about Rebecca and her online tapestry weaving classes here: rebeccamezoff.com/
Follow Rebecca’s weaving adventures on her blog: rebeccamezoff.com/blog
Weave along with Rebecca on Change the Shed: rebeccamezoff.com/change-the-...
Watch past Change the Shed Live Streams here: • Change the Shed
Enjoy the rest of Rebecca's videos here: / rebeccamezofftapestry
Join the newsletter to get the latest updates: eepurl.com/tk7Hj
Find Rebecca’s book, The Art of Tapestry Weaving: rebeccamezoff.com/the-art-of-...
Some of Rebecca’s most recommended weaving resources: rebeccamezoff.com/resources
Join Rebecca for a Live (Virtual) Weaving Workshop: rebeccamezoff.com/live
Start learning tapestry weaving with Introduction to Tapestry Weaving: rebeccamezoff.com/introductio...
Make tiny works of art with Weaving Tapestry on Little Looms: rebeccamezoff.com/weaving-tap...
Go in-depth with Warp and Weft, a 3-part beginner friendly deep-dive into tapestry weaving: rebeccamezoff.com/warp-and-we...
Level up your weaving with Fringeless: Four selvedge warping: rebeccamezoff.com/fringeless/
Learn to dye your own yarns in Dyeing with Acid Wool Dye: rebeccamezoff.com/dyeing-with...
Embrace color with Color Gradation Techniques for Tapestry: rebeccamezoff.com/color-grada...
Adventure into designing for tapestry with Design Solutions for The Artist/Weaver:
Season 1: rebeccamezoff.com/design
Season 2: rebeccamezoff.com/design-solu...
Discover all of Rebecca’s online tapestry weaving classes, and find the class that is right for you: rebeccamezoff.com/online-lear...
Thanks for watching!

[@corrinneloudon525]

Thank you for this programme. What an amazing creative person. Such glorious tapestries!

[@jenpedwards]

Thank you Rebecca for this beautiful tribute to an artist whose work shines on even through your own incredible tapestries and teaching. I had no idea he was a monk and it is a beautiful thought that our weaving (and other creative work) is meditation. It is sad that this idea changed to “work” at the monastery. Thank you for crafting this video and sharing it with us!🙏💖

[@noeraldinkabam]

This must be both inspiring and daunting to see as an artist. This man was a master’s master. Just wow.

[@patricepalmer1909]

What a beautiful tribute to your teacher and mentor. Thank you for sharing his work. I honestly think your teaching here and your Change the Shed truly honors his spirit.

[@jeannebohlen7489]

Thank you very much for this video--wonderful to be able to go back and revisit so many of his tapestries. That summer of 2010 we were invited to his studio--I think it was an ATA retreat, and I remember seeing the Undercurrents tapestry on the wall--I think it was being pointed out for its use of transparency. I am so grateful for having been able to take several workshops with him.

[@RebeccaMezoffTapestry]

Yes, that would have been the studio tour he did during Convergence which was in Albuquerque that year... likely the ATA retreat is right! He struggled with that tapestry but I think he loved it in the end. I wish we could see what he would have made following but he died the next spring.

[@nancylane8218]

Beautifully done. It brought tears to my eyes and many cherished memories of moments in the studio with him. A wonderfully unique person and artist. Thank you.

[@patdozier4604]

Thank you Rebecca. It’s wonderful to see James and his work again.

[@RebeccaMezoffTapestry]

Great to hear from you Pat. I'm glad the video was enjoyable.

[@ThreefoldDesigns]

That's beautiful Rebecca - I've only heard of James through you, so it was lovely to see an overview of his life's work :)

[@carolyncreed2788]

Thank you for this beautiful and moving tribute. I learned a lot and shall watch this again and again.

[@ncmagyar]

Absolutely beautiful!

[@echiment]

Thank you so much for sharing this beautiful tribute to James that you have created.

[@vraalten]

Thank you very much for this inspirational gem!

[@margotanderson1898]

Rebecca - This was fantastic. Thank you so much for making it and posting it for us to see. I was at Penland in 2005 for a week-long class in jewelry making. James Koehler was there teaching weaving, about which I knew nothing. He spoke about his work at one of the evening sessions and I was simply gobsmacked by the incredible colors, the shapes and grand stillness of the pieces. I have never forgotten the deep impression he left on me. And now, all these years later, I am learning to weave - using your new book - and feel a connection to him through you. Thank you.

[@RebeccaMezoffTapestry]

Wow! I was there then too. The first class I took from James was at Penland in 2005. What a small world. Amazing we were there in 2005 and here we are now... Happy weaving!

[@Palouseweaver]

Thank you for making this wonderful video.

[@RebeccaMezoffTapestry]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@lindahealey6992]

Beautiful job, Rebecca.

[@hgallerex]

So beautifully, touchingly done. Thank you for carrying on his legacy.

[@florenciaque5221]

Thank you so much. Beautiful. Your voice is so poignant.

[@christianlazo7462]

Very nice!!!!!

[@worksofhands]

Whoa!

[@RuthHenriquez1]

This is so inspiring. Thank you for telling the story of your teacher, and for the beautiful images of his work. By the way, sadly I couldn't locate the book anywhere.

[@RebeccaMezoffTapestry]

It is on Amazon. Search for Woven Color, James Koehler. smile.amazon.com/Woven-Color-Koehler-Carole-Greene/dp/1467565946/ref=sr_1_1?crid=ACNWTN878GPB&dchild=1&keywords=woven+color&qid=1615951080&s=books&sprefix=woven+color%2Caps%2C247&sr=1-1

[@RuthHenriquez1]

@@RebeccaMezoffTapestry Thanks!