By: Carlos Dávalos
Linen in her hands
Marisol weaves with traditional looms
She is dedicated to the tradition of linen weaving
Her workshop is the only one of its kind in the Canaries
Marisol Ramos Leo's teacher, Tomás Hernández, taught her to weave wool fabrics for traditional costumes of the Canary Islands. But Marisol was more interested in linen because of its characteristics and properties. "One fine day I took the step to specialise in this wonderful fibre and now I am the only workshop dedicated exclusively to linen," she says. She opened her workshop in December 2020 and still remembers the first object she made. "A scarf that has served me as a prototype, to test how the fabric behaved over time and as a model to show what I am capable of doing with the loom," says Marisol. She is often inspired by nature, but also by architecture, music, clouds, everyday objects, a painting, or cinema.
What is a great secret of your craft?
How long it takes from the idea to the sketch, to the project, and for everything to be woven thread by thread. You have to work unhurriedly and give the best of yourself, every time. I like to dream of new designs and get lost in the loom.
What is the relationship between the Canary Islands and weaving?
There were quite a few looms here years ago that wove linen. Little by little, they disappeared because of industry. In particular, there are areas in Tenerife, such as El Batán, where flax was grown and all the processes were carried out locally, including the weaving.
Did you choose your craft or did the craft choose you?
I think it chose me. I think that everything happens for and because of something. And although in my youth nothing would have foretold that I would be a craftswoman, I found the loom and I have not been able to stop weaving, creating and inventing since.
How would you define what you do in three words?
Art, passion and respect. The best thing you do is that which brings out the best of you, and that combines in one all your knowledge and wisdom. In 2021 I received the first prize for Best Artisan Work from the City Council of Santa Cruz de Tenerife in the May Festivities of the city.
