Minus Tide September 2023
Minus low tides are magical (ones that are lower than average). So much is revealed that is usually under water. Just about every tidal creature is visible. My favorites are starfish—beautiful colors, and it’s fascinating to see them attacking mussels and even a crab for a meal, all in very slow motion. You can’t perceive their movement at all, but I’m sure their victims are aware.
Each year we scan the tide tables to find the lowest of the low tides and make a point of driving to the coast on one of those special days. It usually means getting up really early, because the minus tides are usually in the mornings, but it’s definitely worth it, especially if a good fish & chips meal is part of the day.
Barbara J. Walker, Fiber Artist
About The Author
Barbara was awarded the Master Certificate of Excellence in Handweaving from Handweavers Guild of America in 1990. She is an active member of Northwest Designer Craftartists, has been a faculty member of the Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts and the Sitka Center for Art and Ecology, and has taught for guilds and conferences in the United States, England, Canada, and Japan. Her work has been exhibited internationally, and two of her pieces are the only examples of ply-splitting included in Lark Books' 500 Baskets. She is an enthusiastic educator and has had numerous articles published in Strands, Complex Weavers Journal, Handwoven, Weaver’s, and Shuttle, Spindle & Dyepot. Barbara has published two books, Ply-Splitting from Drawdowns: Interpreting Weave Structures in Ply-Split Braiding in 2012 and Supplementary Warp Patterning: Turned Drafts, Embellishments & Motifs in 2016.
Barbara’s home studio overlooks the Willamette Valley in Salem, Oregon.