Cathy Moomaw
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| From Cathy Moomaw |
Tribal Affiliation
Cherokee Nation
4199 CR 80
Reeds, MO
cathyweave@yahoo.com
www.cherokeewovenspirits.com
Cherokee Nation
4199 CR 80
Reeds, MO
cathyweave@yahoo.com
www.cherokeewovenspirits.com
Cathy Moomaw, 3rd generation Cherokee weaver, was raised among the hills and creeks of Northeast Oklahoma. Although she now lives with her husband and three sons on their bucking horse ranch in Missouri, she stays very active in the Cherokee culture of her native state.
At eight years old, under the patient but watchful eye of her grandmother, Pearl Abercrombie (master weaver and founding member of Oak Hill Indian Weavers) she wove her first set of placemats. "As a teenager, I didn't understand why she was so particular with edges and tension, when it was all about color for me. Now I'm thankful that she taught me to honor my art by doing my very best, and I am diligent about passing that attribute onto my sons as they become weavers."
When Cathy's granny passed over, she was blessed to inherit the oak and iron looms that were hand made at the Cherokee Indian School in the 1930's. She uses luxurious natural fibers to carry forth the traditional Cherokee patterns on these heirlooms. In 2006 she made her first pure wool Cherokee diamond Blanket and was awarded Best of Division at the Cherokee Art Market, 1st Place at the 2007 Red Earth Art Show, and 1st place at the 2007 Cherokee National Holiday Fine Art Show.
"They tell of the buyer coming, and easily picking out Granny's weaving from the others because of her fine skill. Although I would love to have my at at the Smithsonian by hers, my greatest joy would be if someone picked up my blanket and said "you surely must be a student of Pearl Abercrombie."
Phoenix Story on Cathy and her sons
At eight years old, under the patient but watchful eye of her grandmother, Pearl Abercrombie (master weaver and founding member of Oak Hill Indian Weavers) she wove her first set of placemats. "As a teenager, I didn't understand why she was so particular with edges and tension, when it was all about color for me. Now I'm thankful that she taught me to honor my art by doing my very best, and I am diligent about passing that attribute onto my sons as they become weavers."
When Cathy's granny passed over, she was blessed to inherit the oak and iron looms that were hand made at the Cherokee Indian School in the 1930's. She uses luxurious natural fibers to carry forth the traditional Cherokee patterns on these heirlooms. In 2006 she made her first pure wool Cherokee diamond Blanket and was awarded Best of Division at the Cherokee Art Market, 1st Place at the 2007 Red Earth Art Show, and 1st place at the 2007 Cherokee National Holiday Fine Art Show.
"They tell of the buyer coming, and easily picking out Granny's weaving from the others because of her fine skill. Although I would love to have my at at the Smithsonian by hers, my greatest joy would be if someone picked up my blanket and said "you surely must be a student of Pearl Abercrombie."
Phoenix Story on Cathy and her sons
