Judy Rice is a maven of textured magic. From her earliest memories of peeking up from beneath the woof and warp of her cousins loom, Judy spun her own fancy from a life happily tethered to the value of handiworks - the practical, utilitarian kind, like egg baskets, rag rugs, and quilts for warmth and not displaying. She admired her grandmother’s quilts and enjoyed the warmth of women-kin gathered together, stitching, weaving and sharing conversations.

 

Growing up poor in rural Kentucky was not a misfortune. It was a solid base from which the value of hard work and determination knit with family values steered lives in certain directions. Judy was the first child in her family to finish high school. Young women raised in the hollers of Central Kentucky in the early 1950’s were expected to get married and raise children. Against her father’s wishes, Judy forged her own path, attending beauty school during her last two years of high school. When she graduated she became a hairdresser. It was her way of separating herself from the expectations of her family so she could move towards the life she wanted to live.

 

She eventually enrolled in the fine arts program at Georgia State University taking weaving and design. That was in the late 1960’s. By then she was married, and with her husband, Steven, lived, according to Judy, “pretty much like hippies,” in a log cabin they built in the mountains of Appalachia near the border of North Carolina and Georgia. It was there that Judy’s work began its first evolution. Between chores on their small farm, and raising three children, Judy was weaving and selling her crafts in Atlanta at Signature, a well-known boutique and gallery.

 

In the mind 1980’s when her husband decided to pursue his life’s work in the ministry, they moved to Atlanta so he could attend Emory University. Upon his graduation, they headed west. Steven’s career as itinerate preacher with the United Methodist Church took them first to Grangeville, Idaho. From there they went to the rural wheat lands of Connell, Washington where Judy began spinning alpaca wool and became an active member of Desert Fiber Arts. It was here she began dying with natural materials. From Connell she moved across the Cascade Mountains to Bremerton, Washington.

 

Judy’s work continued to transform with the changing landscapes of new and beautiful places and the people who came into her life. Bremerton was the highlight. When they got there, Judy declared, “The sun came up.” While there she became president of the Kitsap Weavers Guild and noted that there were eleven yarn stores within a thirty-minute drive of her home. She became involved with the Spinning Guild, and the Seattle Weaver’s Guild. She hosted a week -long visit with Jason Collingwood whose father Peter was world renown; having written the bible on weaving. It was during this time that Judy went full time into weaving and spinning her own yarn.

 

One of the most truly gracious and nurturing people I have ever met, Judy is all that her work reflects; warm and vibrant in spirit. She’s earth mother and sister rolled into a safe pocket of lamb’s wool where trusted friendships grow. She recently told me, “My work is the joy of my life…..it connects me with my ancestors. There is something remarkable about creating with materials that are alive. The wool, the dyes, the form and shapes, they are alive and as I make things with my hands, I know in my heart they are a priceless extension of who I am, my family, my history and where I am from, and I want to share that with others.”

 

In July 2005 Judy and her husband moved to Moses Lake. Judy continues to expand her horizons bringing others into the fold, teaching fiber arts to all who ask for her help, She has grown a small circle of weaving and spinning co-creators and has expanded the range of natural materials used for dyes. She’s also a Sunday school Teacher.

 

Judy’s work is displayed at Allied Arts in Richland and the Moses Lake Museum and Art Center (MAC). She will be part of the Christmas show at the MAC and is currently working on a new project called the indigo collection.

 

See Judy’s latest addition to the artist’s trading card page and the awesome short video of her recent presentation to the Art Guild of the Soap Lake Area where she talks about the history of functional baskets. She pointed out to the audience that basket-making is more of a hobby to her that helps her stay connected to her family.