Katariina Paakki (UK / Finland) – Walking with Miss P
My tapestry is a view across the River Colne towards Marsden Moor on the Yorkshire Pennines, the birthplace of River Colne. The rugged and windswept moors are home to rare birds and mountain hare. My eyes feast on the open skies and the heather in blossom; light and colour changing by the hour. Inspiration will flow.
One of the favourite places on my walk is a 300-year-old packhorse bridge; a scenic spot where two brooks converge to form the River Colne. A heron lurks in the reeds waiting patiently for an unsuspecting grayling to swim by. The shadows cannot hide the beauty of its feathers. Different textures everywhere. I walk further along the river accompanied by babble of the clear water stained brown by the peat on the moors. Soon the sky is obscured by trees that line the banks. Light and shadows. I stop and take in the view across the river back towards the moors.
My walking partner isn’t Miss P. Rather, the title alludes to Penelope, wife of Odysseus, who unravelled her work during the nights. As with many weavers, she is ever present while I weave, unravel and rework my tapestry in my struggle for perfection.