WOMEN WHO INSPIRE
And now, Tessman’s two daughters and granddaughter have picked
up the proverbial thread, and are interested in carrying on the textile
family tradition.
For the last 15 years, Tessman has also been creating “My Artzy
Ribbons” for winners of gallery shows, mostly from upholstery fabric
with snips of material to symbolize the genre of show participants.
Another pursuit is furniture refinishing.
“Wood is also a type of fiber, you know,” Tessman said. “And I’m
particular about what I will or will not do with it. I won’t paint certain
wood, because I want to keep its integrity.
“I believe we have to maintain integrity in whatever we do, or we are
lost as a society,” she said.
Her belief is to recycle or repurpose whenever possible so nothing is
lost or wasted. She even creates her own hat stands from old spindles
and table legs.
Her husband, Garry McMichael, is a commercial photographer and
paints in oils, acrylics and pastels. Oh yes, and he’s also a woodworker.
And he photographs all of Tessman’s work.
The two have established their studios and display rooms for all of
their pursuits in an old 7,000-square-foot mortuary that they also call
home.
As a couple, they give workshops and have an online art
gallery.
Working with her husband has its ups and downs, she said, and can
sometimes be a challenge, but as with her sister, they depend on each
other’s strengths.
“He’s more technical and more organized than I am, too,” she said.
“I’m German, determined and headstrong, but I like to work during the
day, while he may work through the night, which gives us both quiet
work time.”
Tessman’s hats can be purchased at several regional galleries. For
more information, visit tessmantextiles.com.
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