Meet Denise Bustos | 4th Generation Weaver

We had the good fortune of connecting with Denise Bustos and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Denise, what do you attribute your success to?
Having a plan, and working hard with consistent effort. Creating one of a kind weavings that are unique.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I come from a long and distinguished line of weavers. A family tradition that stretches back to the 1800’s. Learning the art form is almost expected. I was taught how to weave by my mother , Norma Medina at a young age and did not have very much interest in it until I was older and truly understood the techniques. I recently learned how to dye my own yarn using resources of the earth. Growing up, I wove small rugs/weavings for my grandmother, she was very strict on how the edges on the weavings needed to be, if they were not straight she would not buy them. So I learned to weave with tight and straight edges. I take pride on what i make. I make one of a kind weavings. I prefer to weave pictorial’s over traditional. But i do both. My goal is to keep this family tradition alive, and keep getting better until I master it. Both my kids have learned to weave. I have the opportunity to show my weavings in various shows. One of my weavings is a permanent collection in the Colorado Fine Arts Museum (Eye Dazzler 1999). I also won first place and Arizona best of show at the 2019 Arizona State Fair in Fiber Arts for my Tree of Life weaving. My grandmother, Eppie Archuleta processed her own wool by washing, carding and spinning it. She was a world class weaver, her weavings have sold all over the world. She was the first Hispanic women to receive the National endowment for the arts. My great grandmother, Agueda Martínez was a legend and was known for her rag rug weavings. A phrase from my great grandmother was: “learn to weave and learn it well, it doesn’t make you rich , but you wont starve. ”

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
After moving to Arizona in 2004 some of my favorite places take someone to would be to Madera Canyon to go hiking and bird watching, have a picnic up there. Take them to eat at Goyitas in Green Valley, maybe a take a trip to Tucson for a Sonoran hot dog at El Guero Canelo.
Can’t forget a drive to Tubac, AZ visit the galleries and have lunch at one of the local cafe’s.
Take a drive to mount Lemmon to take a look at the scenery, then drive to Gates pass for the sunset.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
My Family. I am a 4th generation weaver raised in northern New Mexico. My mother ( a master weaver/dyer) taught me everything I know and continues to teach me more and more everyday. Without her knowledge and guidance, I wouldn’t be where I am today. I hope in the future I will be able to master this art like my mother, grandmother and great grandmother. My father built my looms, without my looms, I couldn’t weave. I also have the support of my husband, son and daughter who encourage and keep me motivated on becoming successful with my art.

Website: https://Esty.com/shop/DeniseBustosWeavings

Instagram: @denisebustosweavings