ArtWools Studio at Ruckman Mill Farm

Emerging Artists Show at Tamarack

Susan Feller — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 01:46:55 +0000

Artists juried into Tamarack’s David L. Dickirson Fine Art Gallery in Beckley, WV in the past 18 months are featured in the exhibit opening with a reception on Sunday, January 22. The show will be up through February 25. Photos of all works will be posted on the Facebook page of Tamarack… if you are more social network savvy by far than myself it will be easy to locate. Try facebook.com/tamarackwv and look on the wall for a posting to the gallery exhibit.

Click to view slideshow.

This collection was inspired by the shadows cast by objects along the roadway onto surfaces in front of me as I drove the thousands of miles this past year. One image stayed in my mind of large round hay rolls lined up at the fencerow and 10:00 sunlight.

There are two sets: one depicting the grassy field and then textured roadway; the other with a light snow on the grasses and roadway showing a slushy tire track. The fifth image is the view out our kitchen window. Winter now with oak trees retaining their light brown leaves and the other hardwoods barren against a cold white sky. There are alpaca yarns incorporated that were spun here at the Capon Bridge Fiber Works adding a soft texture.

All the works are 5″ x 13″ mounted on 8″ x 16″ covered stretcher bars They are priced at $135 each and available directly from the Tamarack-Gallery.

Studio Tour in new On-Line Magazine

Susan Feller — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 04:23:08 +0000

There is a new Rug Hooking media outlet!

A quarterly online magazine published by Rug Hooking Magazine and featuring a tour through our Studio in the premier issue. Subscriptions are $9.95 per year and available at www.RugHookingMagazine.com or click here

Zodiac Collection Fiber Artists from Around the World

Susan Feller — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 03:45:08 +0000

Twelve fiber artists selected by Susan L. Feller for their innovative designs and in some cases young energy, depict the Zodiac signs in hooked works. The collection is published in Rug Hooking Magazine’s Jan/Feb 2012 issue.

: Virgo, by Francine Even, CT, USA

Seeing the pieces in the magazine and reading the thought processes is one thing but actually viewing all twelve works and meeting some of the artists can be done by attending Sauder Village’s 16th Rug Hooking Week in Archbold, Ohio. The event is Wednesday-Saturday, August 15-18. Susan will lead a gallery walk with fellow artists during the exhibit. See events, workshops or sign up when you arrive.

New magazine focuses on Fiber Art Now

Susan Feller — Fri, 23 Dec 2011 00:34:12 +0000

The premier issue came out this fall for FiberArtNow Magazine and it included two articles featuring RUGHOOKING! Liz Alpert Fay is introduced to the readership in her studio and the Beyond Rugs! contemporary exhibit at the Farnsworth Museum in Rockland Maine is reviewed. TIGHR and myself placed advertisements in the first two issues and are pleased with the responses. See for yourself, and subscribe go to www.FiberArtNow.net

Book Released to Rave Reviews

Susan Feller — Wed, 07 Dec 2011 03:17:29 +0000

The book is out and we are pleased with the responses.

Go to our store at www.RuckmanMillFarm.com to order an autographed copy.

Readers have said: ”I will definitely use this as a “go to” guide for my students.”

Wendie ScottDavis,Ontario CANADA

“Got your book yesterday and started to read it this morning. I think this book will be a great teaching tool for many years to come… just wonderful!”Linda Rae Coughlin,New Jersey

“I received your book It is GREAT!! It is very easy to read and ALOT of information I think it is one of the best Rug Hooking has put out.” Margaret Wenger, Pennsylvania

Tis the Season for Cheer

Susan Feller — Wed, 07 Dec 2011 02:24:23 +0000

Fraktur Angel by Susan L. Feller

Holiday Happiness to all! The angel ornament was created to hang on one of the ARTISTREEs in West Virginia’s Governor’s Mansion in Charleston, WV this year.

Our First Lady, Joanne Jaeger Tomblin invited artists throughout the state to contribute an ornament. These will be cataloged and retained in the Mansion’s archives to be used as decorations during future events.

This is the logo developed to promote the First Lady’s interest in supporting the arts.

Angel to Susan's right, Governor's Mansion

Jim and Susan drove the five hours to Charleston, WV to a brunch hosted by the First Lady on Dec 11. The dawn hours with a beautiful full moon poking out from the mountains kept us inspired, and the return trip in full daylight allowed the glory of our state to regale us.

Next year the invitation will be out again from the First Lady to all artists… contribute your best ornament.

Beyond Rugs! Opens at Farnsworth Museum

Susan Feller — Thu, 13 Oct 2011 03:45:36 +0000

Contemporary textile artists using traditional forms of rug making are recognized in a major art Museum exhibit. The Farnsworth Museum in Rockland Maine opened their second collection focusing on rug hooking. The current show is up until February 5, 2012. Visit http://www.farnsworthmuseum.org/ and select Beyond Rugs!for an online catalog. The curators’ statements address this monumental decision to highlight artists using fabric to portray personal and timely issues. The two images below are works by Susan included in the collection.

Iconic Liberty by Susan L. Feller

Riches to Rags by Susan L. Feller

Fraktur Designs in Rug Hooking Magazine

Susan Feller — Fri, 09 Sep 2011 21:08:00 +0000

Barbara Ebersol Star Flower Mat hooked by Susan Feller

The Sept/Oct 2011 issue of Rug Hooking Magazine includes an article by Susan titled: Frakturs for Designing, Old Pennsylvania German Artwork Finds a New Place. Using Barbara Ebersol a Lancaster, PA artist of the late 1880′s to introduce Frakturs to the readership, Feller includes several design motifs as free patterns. The topic is a research favorite which has culminated in a product DESIGN IN A BOX- Frakturs available through the shop at Ruckman Mill Farm.

TIGHR Skype to Australian Board

Susan Feller — Wed, 24 Aug 2011 22:55:01 +0000

Gathered around the screen "talking" to Australia

The first international communications between TIGHR members was conducted at the Sauder Village Rug Hooking Event. Coordinated by “web savvy” Judi Tompkins, Jo Franco and Susan Feller, five members of the TIGHR Australian Board were conferenced into the pictured group in Archbold, OH. While the noise level made actual hearing and speaking on the US side almost impossible, the logistics emboldened many to become SKYPE -ees. Plans are for a quieter place in the Sauder Heritage Inn next August.

Conference calls to non-attendees of the Tri-Ennial in Stralthalbyn, Australia such as this will connect our worldwide membership with the events in October of 2012. Visit www.tighr.net to learn more about The International Guild of Handhooking Rugmakers. Join and visit Australia from the comfort of your own home. Meet fiber artists from around the world talking about their version of rughooking.

Making Flowers with Nan at Sauder

Susan Feller — Wed, 24 Aug 2011 22:18:46 +0000

Nan Loncharich's how-to book

This book is published by Stackpole Books and includes great directions for a wide variety of fabric flower pins. The photographs of completed works inspire the reader to get the materials and begin. Nan signed books and demonstrated at the Sauder Village Rug Hooking Week.

She includes our ArtWools in many of the creations and has a blog at fancywoolflowers.blogspot.com. Visit her site to order the book. You can also go to the Westmoreland Museum Gift Shop in Greensburg, PA and purchase a special flower for friends or yourself.

Loncharich flower using Susan Feller ArtWools

This gem is made exclusively with our wools and a great button to anchor the petals.