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Deki McKenney’s interest in fiber arts grew out of a lifelong love of working with her hands. Her early interest in art was influenced by her parents. Her mother was always involved in creative endeavors and her family’s store included a framing and art supply department. She saw how framing could bring a piece of art to life and later used those skills in her own business. Her studies focused on the arts as well as languages. At her parent’s suggestion, she applied to Interior Design schools and was accepted at Mount Vernon in Washington, DC where she completed 2 years of study. At that time, she was also swept up by the computer age of the early 80’s. Excelling in programming languages, she eventually earned a degree in data science and just retired from a successful technology career. Though It was a demanding vocation, her interest in the arts never waned and she continually dabbled in sketching, painting, pottery, quilting, origami and fiber arts.

During her career, she also pursued entrepreneurial opportunities, co-owning an online tea business in the late 90’s as well as Deja Gallery in Chester with another local artist from 2004 – 2011. She started hand spinning her own yarns in 2012 and later felting wool from her nephew’s small 4-H flock. These beautiful rare breed fleeces can be seen in a lot of her yarns and felted pieces. She has had the opportunity to learn from international spinners and fiber artists such as Lexi Boeger, Michelle Snowden and Suzy Brown whose Art Yarn techniques are legendary. She has sold pieces of her work in a few venues in CT over the years and looks forward to now pursuing her fiber work full time.

Essex Summer Arts Festival
June 17-18, 2017
12 Main St. Essex, CT
FREE