Retreat into the Mountains 2012

  24 great energetic and creative souls came together this year for the 5th RETREAT INTO THE MOUNTAINS at Peterkin Camp and Conference Center, Romney,WV.  We are gathered here on the expansive porch in our colorful array of dress. The new officers of Mountain State Fiber Artists make up the first row. 

Great weather for the weekend including the foliage which was gradually coming out after the extreme heat in March, allowed us to keep our minimal schedule including hiking up to the waterfalls and hemlock grove, driving out by caravan to Ruckman Mill Farm for dinner prepared by Jim on Saturday evening and hours of hooking on the porch and in the lounge space into the wee hours of the night. 

2012 group at the waterfalls, Peterkin

             The theme for this year was to react visually to the phrase: “everybodyneedsfiber” Several participants came with designs in a small format (8 inch or so squares).  One was a combination of different sized printer’s blocks creating a composition of the letters.  This will be a study in value and depth using materials and techniques to enhance the subtle tones of the wood blocks. A jar of Metamucil was another interpretation:  Every BODY needs Fiber.   

         Another was Betsy Warner’s energetic lady happily lying in a field of color, prodded butterflies hovering above and her hair wildly flying in the green field.  The variety of fibers and techniques accented the phrase ” EVERYBODY NEEDS FIBER!”

The trip to Ruckman Mill Farm included showcasing the beef cattle raised here in Hampshire County:  Angus, Herefords and even Longhorns. Yes Texas Longhorns are raised here for the lean meat, and seem to enjoy a steady diet of green grasses.

  Visit other blogs for their interpretations of the retreat:Lauren Fuqua from Ohio: www.rugsandpugs.blogspot.com  

Donna Bennett another Ohioian: http://www.CrowsontheLedge.com 

Susan Hoekstra, New Jersey our presenter this year on the topic Color Theory www.Foxview.com and www.Needlefest.com

Square Bales in Ontario

 Ready for a vacation and yet don’t want to travel too far?  Think learning about rughooking would be fun too?  Canada is a great destination for many New Englanders and those in Northern NY.  Loyalist College in Belleville, Ontario is a great setting for both of these goals.  The Summer Arts Program includes three different sessions with rug hooking artists, of course I would recommend July 16-20 with me! See the full catalog here Summer Arts 2012 Loyalist College, Belleville, ON  Registration begins April 13.

Mountain Treeline by Susan L. Feller

Then I added one more tree and called it “All 4 Seasons” using a bright cheery turquoise sky.  This post is about the neutral colorway and my decision making steps for a third interpretation.  

I like to select as much variety in values, including textural and solid fabrics and not photographed but included are several yarns — alpaca neutrals spun in Hampshire County at Capon Bridge Fiber Works.   Although I call this a “neutral” version it is more towards warm range from natural through deep chocolate and cool jolts of black and gray with some excitement thrown in by the yellow family.

As I got hooking/creating each tree spoke to where it was in the line up, two on left are on another rise beyond one field, the front row definitely has some out in front and others taking back stage.  The brightest (off white) is not the immediate center image, therefore not hitting the viewer in the face and stopping your eye from moving around.  I remembered to experiment with textures behind solids if they are similar in value, adding to the depth.  

Here is where there was a change and some pulling out.  The farthest right tree anchored the edge with a flat gray yarn.  By switching the textured and lighter wool in the tree third from right with the gray I gave a darker value behind the gold  and lighter ending to the righthand edge. 

Second version strong line

First I thought to create some interest by leaving a line of dark gray in the textured tree only.  But that is too strong and drew my eye only to the “branch”. 

removed line

Removed it and hooked the yarns between the two sections instead, better.

Skyline and foreground in golds

 One last decision was the choice of foreground fabrics.  I was certain the golds would be great pulling into all fields that hue and even went to the extent of stitching the two pieces onto the linen backing.  But it just didn’t ring to me.  

The selection of gray plaid for the small field on left and then brown/black plaid as the foreground seems to anchor the design, invite you to view the details, and be drawn all the way to the interesting skyline in the background.   

  I am going to stretch this piece around artist stretcher bars and hand stitch wool around the edges to complete it as the other two are, simple and all fiber. Comments in the form of critiques are welcome.  Question I would pose is would you have stopped sooner in my process and called it finished?

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.  I incorporated alpaca yarns, spun in Hampshire County at the Capon Bridge Fiber Works into the piece 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.

  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

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.

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

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.    

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.