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Gail's work really grabbed our eyes the first time we saw it
exhibited. We hope the creativity of it 'grabs' you too.
"Gail Keeler is an award winning basket maker who sells
and exhibits her distinctive baskets nationwide. Widmer Keeler
has been involved in fiber arts since she was nine years old.
She states "basket making is the ultimate creative high for
me." Gail uses both natural and commercial dyes in her work
and incorporates as many natural and "found" materials
as possible.
Widmer Keeler began basket making with traditional Appalachian
egg baskets and potato baskets. For the past fifteen or so years,
she has been incorporating gourds as an integral part of her work,
creating a style that is uniquely her own. Each of her gourd baskets
is a whimsical creation with the distinctive Keeler flair. Birds,
magic lanterns, people and faces, as well as functional pieces
form Gail's exceptional body of work.
When using natural dyes, Gail uses non-toxic fixatives. She also
limits her collecting to plants that are widely available (pine
cones, goldenrod, wild roses). Gail periodically makes trips around
the country collecting grapevine, honeysuckle, wisteria and other
materials to use in her baskets, as well as roots, berries and
bark to use for dyeing. Once a year, Keeler travels to West Mountain
Gourd Farm in Gilmer, Texas to personally select the gourds she
will use to create her unusual baskets. "I can spot the perfect
basket gourd from 100 yards away."
Gail was a founder of Shadow Mountain Center for the Arts and
Humanities. Her ongoing dedication to promote local artists includes
sponsoring studio shows in the community. This is an eight year
old project which has been successful in generating sales for
her and up to a dozen other area artists.
Gail offers classes in basketry, natural dyeing, seat weaving
and other fiber workshops from her home studio and is always available
for technical support, materials sources and words of encouragement.
Gail lives and works in Conifer, Colorado.
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