Valentina Devine is really her name!
She first came to my attention in "Knitting in America" by Melanie
Falick (1996) in the section featuring Southwest artists. The article
was entitled "Valentina Devine's Creative Freedom". Creative freedom
really defines her. Later, when in her class, she most often said
"It doesn't matter!" And for her that is true; Valentina uses whatever
method works to create her textiles: knit, crochet, embroidery, scumbling.
For those who need patterns to follow, she begins a liberating inspiration.
| One of the works pictured in Knitting
in America is in our entry area. Studying the various techniques
is such fun. Color and texture inspire her. |
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Now in Los Alamos, New Mexico, her life
has taken her from the painful memories of persecution in Germany during
World War II, her childhood knitting of Germanic precision, to the brilliant
colors and earthy colors of New Mexico and a free-flowing designing career.
Add to that her talent of dyeing wonderful colors and playing the guitar.
The evolution for Valentina was inspired by mentor Irene Preston Miller(early
70's), designer Kaffe Fassett (fall 1980), and friend Horst Schulz. |
A recent book, Knit Lit by Linda Roghaar
and Molly Wolf (2002), has a contribution from Valentina as does "Simple
Knits for Sophisticated Living" by Barbara Albright (2003).
From the hanging sculptures in galleries and
homes to the clothing in boutiques, Valentina's creations catch the eye
and inspire textile artists. Her works can be found in boutiques
in New Mexico, California and Michigan. E-mail for specifics knitterstreat@wekz.net.
And for February, March, and April of 2003 - here!
For knitters who want to use her patterns,
Knit'Style has shown her designs in every issue since 1998, Knitters Magazine
several designs since 1998, and in Ironstone Yarn Company designs. |
