Doug is a multi-dimensional fiber artist with interests in weaving chair, rocker, and stool seats, as well as loom weaving, woodworking, and stained-glass art.
I grew up in the mountains of southwest Virginia with a love for my Appalachian craft heritage and its people. Chair caning and seat weaving have a rich tradition in the Appalachian region. I aspire to keep this tradition alive by sharing my craft knowledge and skills through teaching, demonstrations, and exhibitions. The success of new students who struggle and succeed in learning the art of this time-honored traditional Appalachian craft is inspiring.
In 1993, I wove my first 7-way traditional cane pattern in a rocker. Exploration of many other Appalachian traditional caning patterns began shortly thereafter. These include Daisies and Buttons, Daisy Chain, Double Daisy Chain, Double Victoria, Spider Weave, Star of David, Honeycomb, and Lace. The beauty of these Appalachian traditions inspired me to weave chairs and rockers in the patterns to keep this “lost art” alive. Over time, my interests expanded to include weaving with flat reed, ash splint, rush, Shaker tape, belts, corded Alpaca, seagrass, and polypropylene cord.
As a fiber artist, I weave many beautiful textile patterns or motifs, including advancing twill, undulating twill, herringbone, Estrellita (the Star), and Turntable. These heritage loom weaving motifs challenge me to translate twill and overshot weavings to stool seat weaving patterns. These new, unique motifs provide seat weavers with expanded possibilities for available caning patterns.
As a seat weaver and caner, I exhibited chairs and demonstrated chair and stool caning in several venues in North Carolina, Ohio, Arkansas, Virginia, and Tennessee. Rewards for my efforts include Best of Show at the Tennessee Craft Summer Craft 2017 Exhibit and an Honorable Mention at the 2018 Handmade Here Tennessee Craft Exhibit.
The chair and stool seat weaving craft is passed on to students in workshops at the Exchange Place (Kingsport, TN), Senior Center (Jonesborough, TN), Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts (Gatlinburg, TN), and Washington College Academy (Limestone, TN). I was honored by selection as a Master Artist in seat weaving and chair caning for the 2024 Tennessee Craft Master Artist Apprentice Program and Artist Talk.
I live with my wife, Deborah, on our farm in Telford, TN, where we create exquisite wooden weaving tools, including boat shuttles from native and exotic hardwoods. I am a member of The Seat Weavers Guild, Inc. (currently the President of its Board of Directors), Tennessee Craft-Northeast Chapter, Overmountain Weavers Guild, and Handweavers Guild of America, Inc.
