Cheney artist enjoys fiber arts

Editor's note: This is the third in a series of profiles of artists participating in the Slightly West of Spokane Studio Artist Tour set for 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 30. Look for more profiles in upcoming editions of the Cheney Free Press.

CHENEY - A former soldier will share her fiber arts techniques Nov. 30 on the 14th annual Slightly West of Spokane Studio Artist Tour.

Rosanne Anderson will be demonstrating her arts at Stop No. 6 on the tour. That stop will be at Cheney Public Library, 610 First St.

"I spent most of my pre-artist life as a soldier," Anderson said, noting she was a commissioned officer specializing in military intelligence.

Following her service, Anderson and her husband moved to the area, where they ranched, raising cattle, horses and sheep.

"That's when my art began – sheep," she said. "I now spin, weave, knit, crochet, and just recently added embroidery."

Anderson raises her own sheep for the fiber she uses in her artwork. She also takes in rescue sheep in need of care.

"I also purchase other fleeces that are just too lovely to pass up," she said.

Anderson's love for the arts really took off while she was teaching middle school.

"I was excited to see how much my sixth-, seventh- and eighth-graders could really do," she said. "It was always fun to read their stories, see their artwork, and then laminate each page for them to create their very own book."

During her time as a teacher, she also got into drama, speech contests and staging plays and skits.

"I'd been a shy student, afraid to speak in front of people," she said. "I really wanted my students to avoid that fear and see how effective they could really be."

She also took up writing.

Now, Anderson enjoys teaching fiber-arts classes, making clothing such as hats mittens and scarves, and weaving rugs.

"I love setting up my vending booth where all the colors and pretty things come together in one sparkly place," she said. "Being part of the fabulous artists in Slightly West of Spokane has been extremely interesting and educational.

"The artists put in lots of work throughout the year to put on the art tour, but it is so worth it."