LeeAnn Galusha
Artist Statement:
As a child, LeeAnn saw an article in a magazine about making rustic baskets from grass and pine needles. She was inspired by the idea of taking something from nature and transforming it into art. Later in life, she took a class on how to make a basket from pine needles. From the first class LeeAnn knew that pine needle basketry was the perfect fit and by the end of the classes she had developed my own style and a lifelong passion.
She moved to Yellowstone National Park and continued to perfect her skills making baskets in the traditional style. After receiving her bachelor’s degree in elementary education from the University of Montana, LeeAnn moved to rural Alaska with her husband to teach. To combat the gray days, she started adding color to her baskets by hand dying the pine needles.
Recently, LeeAnn retired and moved back to Montana, where she continues to create pine needle art. She still loves and weaves traditional baskets, but also expands her art by adding beads, color, varied stitching, and techniques including abstract, open forms.
As a child, LeeAnn saw an article in a magazine about making rustic baskets from grass and pine needles. She was inspired by the idea of taking something from nature and transforming it into art. Later in life, she took a class on how to make a basket from pine needles. From the first class LeeAnn knew that pine needle basketry was the perfect fit and by the end of the classes she had developed my own style and a lifelong passion.
She moved to Yellowstone National Park and continued to perfect her skills making baskets in the traditional style. After receiving her bachelor’s degree in elementary education from the University of Montana, LeeAnn moved to rural Alaska with her husband to teach. To combat the gray days, she started adding color to her baskets by hand dying the pine needles.
Recently, LeeAnn retired and moved back to Montana, where she continues to create pine needle art. She still loves and weaves traditional baskets, but also expands her art by adding beads, color, varied stitching, and techniques including abstract, open forms.