K-files Spring '02
K-files is an article featured in Kiting, the Journal of the American Kitefliers Association. Its purpose is to promote kitemaking by highlighting the work and story of a kitemaker. When I was invited to submit my story for k-files, I know it took several minutes for my mind to even comprehend the validity of the offer. I can still remember the exact moment, all the sights, sounds, and smells, when that gift was handed me. A magical moment? Oh yes, without a doubt. And to Brian, Ron, and Susan...thank you for allowing me to believe in magic.
This article was originally published in the Spring 2002 issue of Kiting. (Photos used here are different than what was used in Kiting.)
Kites found their way into my heart while on a vacation in 1985. A stop at
Lincoln City, Oregon introduced me to a 90' Spinsock and a stack of Trlbys. I
was immediately captivated and a 6' delta, 3' spinsock and a purple Trlby
returned to the prairie with me.
North Dakota was not one of the hot beds of kite activity back in those early
days. So I fed my new passion by subscribing to every bit of printed kite
material I could get my hands on, became a member of the AKA, and returned to
Lincoln City every summer for my kite fix. I
aspired to being a proficient
dual/quad line flier and David Willis of "Catch the Wind" spent hours patiently
teaching me everything this blond head was capable of learning. During one of
those return trips I saw Deb Cooley’s "Sea Aquarium" kite grace the sky and was
blown away by the notion that someone could actually make a kite like that. A
little kitemaking seed was planted.
I began paying special attention to the work of Ron and Sandy Gibian, Scott Skinner, Reza Ragheb, Jon Burckhart, Charlie Dunton, and of course, Deb Cooley. The level of craftsmanship and art seemed so beyond my level of expertise and with no kitemaking workshop within a thousand miles of where I lived, kitemaking remained a dormant seed waiting for some sunshine to help it take root.
The need to bring the kiting experience to North Dakota resulted in the creation of Skydance Sakakawea in 1993. Skydance is a three day kite festival, held over Memorial Day weekend, on the shores of Lake Sakakawea near Garrison. 2002 will be the 10th anniversary of the little event.
It was at that venue that my kitemaking seed took root and sprouted wings
when Mike Shaw, Denver, attended Skydance #8. His Hopi Octagon had always been
one of my favorite kites and to have it at my little festival was a tremendous
honor. Mike was gracious and humble in light of the praise I had for his kites
and he was the first one to ever say, "Deb, you can make a kite." He introduced
me to Mary and John Gabby and they gave me similar encouragement and the promise
to help in any way they could. With Mike, Mary, and John’s help (via e-mail) and
Jerimy Colbert’s applique lesson while on the beach in Lincoln City in 2000, my
first kite was completed in October of that year. After e-mailing a photo of it
to my mentors, Mike responded with, "you need to do a train of them." One year
later, in Billings, my train of hexes danced happily in the big Montana sky.
I am such a newcomer to this marvelous craft with so very much more to learn. I do hope my story will give others the courage to give it a try. It has brought great people and great rewards to my life. Kitemaking gives me an opportunity to be a visual storyteller. Whether it is to share a piece of Native American lore or to personalize a kite as a gift to someone special, it is the storytelling that I will always love best. Its a chance to tell a story on a sail and send it as a prayer to the heavens. It will always be a prayer of gratitude and appreciation. To all those that have come before and to those that will come after, thank you.