Meet Lane Royall | Bob + Weave

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

Hi Lane, how has your work-life balance changed over time?
I picked up fiber art at a time in my life when I was craving more balance. After teaching math for 7 years, I became a stay-at-home mom, a dream come true. I put everything into being a stay at home mom trying to do everything “right”, and after my second child was born, I felt like something was missing. I struggled with the guilt of not being fulfilled by being a stay at home mom. After all, this was my “dream job”. I was struggling with postpartum depression/anxiety, and I was looking for a creative outlet to calm my mind. That was 5 years ago. Now I find if I go too long without getting lost in a fibery project, it upsets the balance. I turn to my art to get quiet, reflect, process, play, and create. It is the introvert in me. I am a better mother and human when I nurture all aspects of myself and not spread myself too thin in one area.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
My fiber art journey began as a creative outlet after having my two children. I had taught math and coached tennis for 7 years, but I had never fancied myself as an artist. In fact, imposter’s syndrome is still one my biggest mental hurdles on the daily. Here I was, a stay at home mom of 2, and I needed an outlet. I had quite the collection of beautiful driftwood that I had collected on Moonstone Beach in Cambria. I made some simple yarn wall hanging from the driftwood for my friends and family and I was hooked. That was five years ago. Other friends started expressing interest in purchasing wall hangings, so I started doing custom orders, started an Etsy shop, and Bob and Weave was born. It certainly has evolved over the years. From simple yarn tapestries to large scale intricate handwoven wall hangings. I weave on all sizes of frame looms from tiny to large. Over the years my work has expanded to rope art, macrame, fiber jewelry making and since the pandemic, knitting. I am always learning something new. The fiber art world is VAST! I am inspired by texture, nature, people, and color. I like to think of my pieces as a modern take on an ancient art form. I am proud when my art brings joy to others. I put so much of myself into each piece, so when I share my work with others it feels vulnerable and it deepens my connections with those who appreciate it. It is not always easy. I definitely find myself in creative ruts or real life gets busy. Bob and Weave has really come a long way in 5 years, and I find it is important to reflect and celebrate the journey, appreciate the now, while still dreaming for the future. Slow progress is still progress. I try to keep a happy balance, cut myself lots of slack, and as my husband will often remind me: “be a nice boss”.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I have lived in Venice for 12 years, so I would have to start in my neighborhood. On foot or skateboard, we would head to Superba on Lincoln for coffee, breakfast burrito, and chocolate croissant. Then we would head down the walk streets towards Abbot Kinney for shopping. Then onto the Venice Canals. Grab a burger and beer at Hinano. Walk the Venice Pier and chill at the beach. Head down to Main Street in Santa Monica (Venice adjacent) for shopping and dinner. I recommend the Ten Women Gallery, a local artists co-op where you can find a plethora of one of a kind pieces from ceramics, pop art, paintings, photography, to fiber art by yours truly, Bob and Weave. I recommend the Galley, Lula’s Mexican, or Library Ale House for dinner. You can certainly hop back over to the beach to catch the sunset.

Website: www.bobandweavecompany.com

Instagram: @bobandweavecompany

Image Credits
Lane Royall