Nature Lessons in Color Planning

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When I wanted to illustrate complementary partners in the book ‘Design Basics for Rug Hookers’, Stackpole Books 2011; I chose PURPLE asters and GOLDENrod along the highway near Albany, NY and ORANGE sassafras and a crystal BLUE sky here in WV.

Late summer brings on the subtle changes we glorify as Fall.  These images are good studies in how amount of color and placement affect the motif . They represent RED with its complement GREEN.

 

This is is a ‘Daily Square’ from late October 2013 depicting a blackberry branch. These photos taken today will inspire several squares.

Look around your environment and select a new color plan.

Blackberry Branch, Susan L. Feller painted linen, hooked, embroidered, quilted

Blackberry Branch, Susan L. Feller painted linen, hooked, embroidered, quilted

Collections at Sauder Village

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The 18th Annual Rug Hooking Week at Sauder Village, Archbold, OH is over, preserved in memories and digital snaps.  THE event for fiber enthusiasts will happen again August 12-15, 2015.  Bookmark SauderVillage.org and check in early November for schedule of workshops, vendors and featured exhibits.

Thank you to Rug Hooking Magazine and Sauder Village for sponsoring this show and congratulations to Event Coordinator Kathy Wright.  Look forward to old and new friends next year.

These images capture my digital highlights, the mind is overwhelmed by hundreds more.

ArtWools.com display wall, Susan L. Feller
RuckmanMillFarm.com designs, by Susan L. Feller
Grenfell Mats Historical display by author Paula Laverty
Silk stockings used to make Grenfell Mats
Martha (GoingGray.com) and Rebecca (WoolStudio.com) dressed to draw attention to their booths
Ohio group’s interpretation of one design
One design many moods
American Coverlet Museum and hooked rug designs
Esther Knipe and Judy Knipe Collection, detail of large rug by Esther
Personal favorite, by Joyce Krueger
Sophisticated traditional manipulating of fabric by Alice Streibel

Graphic Realism

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I indicated in REALISM INTERPRETED there was a second piece using the same subject. Here is the process and results.  The first work, “Neighbor’s Barn”, used the subject and evokes the natural nuances of 100 year old chestnut boards.  This piece, “Neighboring Barn”, I challenged myself to simplify using straight lines; evoke more drama with higher contrast; and in the end incorporate hardware to emphasize the design origin.

Originally I drew out a runner (18 x54), as you will see the concept morphed into a square.  Why?  As the length increased I began to ask myself what was I trying to say?  When “I do not know” came back to me I re-evaluated.  I took out the light line in lower right, inserted a dark copper wire and ended the composition at the base of the door.  This way with the hardware the viewer probably sees a weathered structure and my piece has a story to tell.

Materials and Design for Barn Runner
Barn runner in progress
Editing the design

Realism Interpreted

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I have described the technique of rughooking to artists as “painting with fibers”. We use a hook pushing it down through a loose weave backing (usually linen) to make a hole through which we pull up the strip of fabric or yarn held underneath creating a loop.  Then we go back down through a hole close by and pull on the strip again.  Depending on the VALUE, COLOR, TEXTURE AND THICKNESS OF STRIPS  the design evolves similarly to a painter’s brush strokes.

Most of my work has been with strips a bit smaller than 1/4 inch wide.  Since 2014 is the YEAR OF EXPERIMENT AND CHALLENGE, I jumped at an opportunity to spend a weekend in a class led by Roslyn Logsdon in Laurel, MD and use much thinner strips allowing for more changes within the space.  The theme was architecture and I took photos of the barn  across from our lane which I have depicted in several daily squares already.  Time for a larger piece…. 9″ x 12″!  Wow!

Roslyn encourages artists to study a photo, sketch the shapes onto the backing then put the visual away.  Select your fibers (in my case three bundles of brown, green, grays sorted into light, medium and dark) and begin to CREATE the subject you envision.  An artistic interpretation will be the results.  This advice is difficult to follow when the photo is someone close to you, or you THINK too much.  Become the child again and create.

I took her advice to heart only returning to the photo the second day to see where I could add depth by showing light behind the door.  See what you think.   I was so inspired that a second piece was worked up over the last ten days.  But that is for another post.

Jim’s newest installation

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There are two artists in this home Jim and Susan.  We bounce inspirations off of each other, asking for critiques or just to think out loud.  The conversation recently went something like :

J  I have all of that colored nylon fabric sitting in the bag, when are you going to cut it into clothing shapes for me?

S  I have been waiting for you to tell me what you want?  and why?

J  Well I am not sure why or where I want to hang the “clothes”.  Maybe on the front porch.

S (too quickly) Oh NO.  (then) Well ok, but why?  That is pretty stereotypical. Is that the statement you are looking for?

J  No I want people to say WHY? and I want to create another installation which you and I will enjoy looking at and smile.   How about those locust trees way down in the grove?  We can see it from the kitchen windows and people will wonder who hangs laundry 100 yards from the house.

S  GREAT!  I will get some of my clothes as patterns and cut a pile for you.

 

Inspirations Everywhere

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Fabric Studies

Fabric Studies in month of February 2014, Susan L. Feller

These four blocks were inspired by fabric.  The embroidered and embellished moody blue green I dyed and spoke of irises.  Next the colors from the piece used as overall background set the palette. I will line the back of this square when finished with the wool as an example.  The center panel of the striped piece is a wide, loose trim which I hooked an aqua and pink line through to anchor the fabric to backing.  Then I hooked through the edges and mimicked the patterning by hooking and braiding.  The last one was designed based on the striped fabric in center square.  I used high contrast to reproduce the stripes.

On to May journaling, the trees are bursting into bud and each migrating bird upon arrival is adding their music to the orchestra.  Sounds, sights and memories emerging as subjects.

What is new in your neighborhood? How can you record, document, or reinterpret these experiences?  Tap into your creative space and show others your thoughts.

February Studies

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image The daily square project is moving along slowly visually but the knowledge I have explored is vast.  There are two more squares to be completed for February, one I thought would be a value study in fine cuts since it is made up of “petals” around a center. But as time has progressed I decided to build dimensional shapes using a modified shirred technique.  Fine cut later this year, maybe. Winter lead me to work in the kitchen near to constant free heat from our wood cook stove.  I empathize with people who do not have a dedicated studio space and work within the family living area.  I had to consolidate materials, did not have all the tools available to paint, sew, use wire or sort through the unusual materials for inspiration, and ended up hooking more squares than if in the studio.  Back there this month though.

Red, Green, Purple, Orange

Red, Green, Purple, Orange

Workshops coming up were the topics for several squares.  The session at Green Mountain Hooked Rugs School in June will address color planning with a Mood — happy, sad, in love, sunny.  Red, Yellow, Blue, Orange, Green and Purple are interpreted with lines or motifs and in monochromatic palettes.

Complements, color and value

Complements, color and value

A presentation to With Hands & Hearts Antietam Chapter of ATHA covered relations of colors with values.  Squares address colors on white, black and textured gray backgrounds.

Fabric Studies

Fabric Studies

Just as in home decorating where the drapery fabric or a stunning piece of artwork cues the coloring for a room, I responded to a piece of wool or trim in four squares. March journal entries reflect the studying process.  Nightly a book from the library was reread, notes taken and a design exploring the technique or art style was drawn.

RETREAT 2014

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2014 participants at RETREAT INTO THE MOUNTAINS sponsored by Susan L. Feller, Ruckman Mill Farm

2014 participants at RETREAT INTO THE MOUNTAINS sponsored by Susan L. Feller, Ruckman Mill Farm

Seventeen personalities, piles of fibers, loads of tools and 1,400 acres to wander and be inspired means another RETREAT INTO THE MOUNTAINS of West Virginia on the grounds of Peterkin Camp and Conference Center, Romney, WV.

Our topic this year was the Design Process. Karen Larsen of Crows Foot Farm Designs described her approach as a graphic designer —  simplify and tell the message boldly.  As an example she used an organic shaped rug for her granddaughter depicting a fairy village, sharing their mutual memories.  Also her interpretation of the ‘Star Barn‘ outside of Harrisburg is bold while Nancy Parcel’s design evoked days gone by as a charming pictorial.

Karen Larsen explaining design process

Karen Larsen explaining design process

conversations about designing

conversations about designing

Casual learning sessions occurred throughout the weekend.  Lori LaBerge introduced us to working outdoors (Plein Air Hooking) with a few pointers. We do not have to sketch the design; rather locate a scene, arrange shapes of objects in a pleasing composition, draw in shadows and start selecting colors.  Get to work quickly responding to the environment which in our case was a creek rushing, birds singing, people chattering, winds blowing and sun all around.

capturing an inspiration for later

capturing an inspiration for later

 

appreciating friendly critiques

appreciating friendly critiques

Questions on process were exchanged; music inspired conversation and movement; the bell rang and we ate or traveled to visit the studio at Ruckman Mill Farm and enjoy a meal created by Jim.

Amazing how everyone’s talents combined for a wealth of fun, learning and friendship. Same time, same place next year.

December Studies

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It was exciting to put out two months of squares and see the variety of techniques, materials, subjects and color/values.  I have found it challenging to keep coming up with new images and then decided I do not have to.  Revisiting a composition and changing some element involves experimenting.  The landscape subjects are especially good to look at again, weather and seasons change the details.  SNOW brings out high contrast and changes shapes along with visual focus.

Not surprising, the December squares are filled with white and neutrals.  Color still abounds, but like spring in the Arizona Desert you need to look closely.  Bluebirds flitting, holly berries, sky blue, the warmth of our wooden buildings are all examples represented this month.  Enjoy a sampling including some subjects photographed but sketched from memory.  First a blank slate staring at me on January first:

January 2014

January 2014

 

Support the Arts

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Willow 21st Century, Susan L. Feller

Willow 21st Century, Susan L. Feller

One hundred years ago craftsmen and women dedicated their skills to creating work by hand.  The Arts and Crafts movement is alive today. As a lifestyle or during a piece of their time, artisans and arts organizations are presenting unique objects to reflect on in your personal environment.  This was a long way of suggesting you BUY ART, buy from an artist you met or who’s story is communicated to you at a gallery, BUY LOCAL.

I am grateful for the support of clients who chose original pieces from the studio and through Tamarack in Beckley, WV.  Those of you who are working up rug patterns or using our dyed wools from Ruckman Mill Farm, thank you.  To the participants in workshops this year I look forward to seeing your personal designs.

We purchased these pieces for our collection.  I am sure each artist has some more work if you are interested. Look up Lori LaBerge, Gail Becker, Marie Sugar or visit my work at Ruckman Mill Farm. One was purchased at an auction supporting ATHA, one through an art gallery during a hooked art exhibit, and one directly from the artist.  I admired each of the individuals work before and was happy to be able to select tangible memories.