The gallery Lost River Trading Post is in Wardensville, WV. Visitors to West Virginia from the east enter the town having traveled along the paved highways and country roads following paths over the mountains which were carved out by native cultures centuries before our cars. It is a town that reflects its past heritage and is filled with small commerce for today’s lifestyles. Our paintings and fiber drawings depict the mountain layers evoking the surrounding natural beauty in the exhibit NEAR AND FAR. Visit until January 4, 2021 to see and select some of the artwork for your own home.
Abbie Chessler and Susan Feller’s work in this exhibit is a bringing together of expressions of far mountain vistas and the intimacy of the forest when it surrounds you. Susan and Abbie look to the natural world around them for inspiration. This emotional connection to the forest and mountains is reflected in their use of color and form. It is the thread that makes their work seem as if it belongs together.
center: 2020 AT Thru Hike
Chessler top and bottom, Feller middle series
Feller, Chessler
Near and Far work
F
Abbie describes her process “I continue to be inspired to paint the far mountain views. The light, the sky, the colors are always changing. My creative process is very much a meditative practice. I stop to breathe and remain in the present moment as I am working. Each painting emerges as I layer the colors, looking out of my studio window for inspiration.
I hope my calm mind is transmitted to the viewer and that my paintings provide an invitation to appreciate and protect our earth”. Visit abbiechessler.comor @archessler on Instagram
Susan states “The message in all my work is to consider human impact on nature. Are the trees, coal and even hay, resources for us to exhaust or materials to carefully harvest? Makers for generations used traditional hand work skills (embroidery, applique’ and rug hooking) to create utilitarian objects. They left their unique voice in the designs and often spoke of their social environment. I am carrying on that legacy, hoping others will join me on this journey”. Visit ArtWools.com to explore, react and connect
These two images show just how similar our design sense is – it boils down to seeing shapes and lines.
Handcraft skills through the centuries have been an essential part of domestic living. Fibers harvested, spun, woven and made into warm clothing eventually became scraps for the hook or needle to re-connect into decorative household goods. Who were the makers and their stories? So many unknown by name but personable in designs.
Today with the digital age, creatives share process images under their profiles, showing the spaces they work, materials collected, and especially tools and techniques. Researchers 50 years from now will thank us all for including these details. (Believe me from past experience trying to learn about the McDonald sisters and their work practices.). Search contemporary rug hooking, fiber arts, hooked art.
Over the past several months I have “met” many contemporaries via a network of fiber organizations and professionals. On this International Rug Hooking Day, December 4, here are a few.
from Motherhood series, Karen D Miller, Ottawa, ON – Distancing
Karen D. Miller Studio from Ottawa, ON Canada . Karen is an author, fibre artist, instructor and mother – click for the collection Motherhood. She is coordinating a series of fibre artists lecturing In the Studio you can find these events on her website KarenDMiller.com . Past visits have introduced us to Larry Weyand from Newfoundland, Nadine Flagel from Vancouver, BC, Patti Mullins Colen from London, ON among many others. Coming up next is Tracy Jamar, NYC on Jan 13, 2021.
I have curated some of these into a collection of hooked art from a series of zoom conversations with creatives who responded to socio political events for a future post. The book Crafting Dissent is a chronicle of historical essays describing craft used in protest. It mentions most of these calls have been picked up by younger makers which lead me to the research of rug hookers responding. In our 50’s and above, with time but not necessarily mobility to actively protest, we instead use loop pulling to process our anger, document events and leave visual statements for generations to come.
Suzanne Cantrell adapted pattern by Parris House Wool Works; Maggie Crab; Sharon Townsend (Adam Albright Photography)
I met three generations who processed Black Lives Matter – Sharon Townsend, Suzanne Cantrell and Maggie Crabb.
Liz Marino has completed several from her fingerprint created as a portrait, suffrage anniversary, BLM and Covid.
What are we all missing in Covid-19, Liz Marino
Men and women pulled loops in simple geometrics selecting reds to depict the virus, or multi colors haphazardly chosen from the scraps just to be making something during the long hours of lockdown. Our conversations connected us because of the art.
Social media groups are the networking support for established makers and those coming to our crafts because of extra time. Rug Hooking Magazine uses their facebook page for informative events. In lieu of the annual Rug Hooking week at Sauder Village where finalists in Celebrations are exhibited, two webinars provided a gallery talk I lead with judges and personal interviews of many winners conducted by Gene Shephard. These can be viewed by clicking each highlighted link.
We all look toward 2021 and beyond for the opportunities to once again see fiber art in person throughout the world in local communities and museum venues. Normal is a frame of mind and the lessons learned from slowing down this year have been poured into our hooked, punched, prodded and sculpted fiber art. We will continue to virtually share the 19th C crafts using our new 21st C tech skills .
See you in a zoom meeting, at a virtual opening, chatting in a common social group or across a room at the next show. Until then stay safe, healthy and especially CREATING.
UPDATE: the first week went very well, full classes in all five sessions wonderful feedback from surveys. Plans are being finalized for a second week of virtual workshops, a couple of featured vendors and again bonus events. Registration will open early December for the Jan 31- February 5, 2021 Workshop Week.
There are five instructors who have come together under In the Studio to offer a workshop each day/night the week of October 26-30.
All registered students will also be invited to participate in two bonus Workshop Week events:
Workshop Week Hook-In
Join all of the instructors and the other students for an online hook-in. It will be held on Wednesday, October 28th, 2020, at 6:30 pm EASTERN for 1.5 hours. The Zoom link will be sent the day before the hook-in to all students registered in at least one class.
Workshop Week Panel Discussion
Join us for a bonus episode of the series ‘In the Studio’ where the five instructors will engage in a panel discussion and will take your questions. It will be held on Friday, October 30th, 2020, at 6:30-7:30 pm EASTERN. The Zoom link will be sent the day before the panel discussion to all students registered in at least one class.
Here are the classes and intro featuring each instructor. Note in the descriptions the way to contact the teacher for registration links and payment. We all look forward to this exciting time getting “together” in 2020 and learning. Please note that by registering for any classes in Workshop Week your email address will be shared with each of the five instructors only for the purpose of organization and follow-up and to invite you to the above sessions. You will not be added to any mailing lists.
WORKSHOP OPTIONS
TRAVEL DESIGN: LET THE WORLD INSPIRE YOU lead by Karen D. Miller
Monday, October 26th, 2020, at 6:30 pm EASTERN – 9:00 pm EASTERN
Find inspiration for your art from your own travels! Using your memories, your photos or even just your dreams of where you would like to go once the pandemic is over, we will talk about how to find, capture and interpret your ideas. Travel does not have to be far from home so, even if you haven’t travelled to exotic locales, this class is still for you. The hands-on activities in this class will leave you feeling inspired and with a number of designs ready to turn into art, no matter what medium you use!
This class is inspired by Karen’s book Eyes Open to the World: Memories of Travel in Wool published in 2019 by Ampry Publishing. It is not necessary to purchase the book to take this class, but students may find it a useful supplement to the information in the workshop.
Materials Needed:
A sketchbook (or a book with blank pages)
Pencil, eraser and pencil sharpener
Pencil crayons
Photos from somewhere you have travelled (can be close to home or further afield, and can be printed out or on a device)
A small watercolour set and brush(es) (does not need to be fancy- can be a set for kids) Class Fee: $45 US (Conversion will be made to CAD for Canadian students).
Payment can be made by e- transfer for Canadian students, or a PayPal invoice will be sent to students outside of Canada. For more information or to register please email Karen D. Miller at info@karendmillerstudio.com. Karen D. Miller is a fibre artist living and working in Ottawa, Ontario. She has had her work exhibited across Canada and the United States, and in Canadian and American publications as well as those in Europe and Australia. Her work has been featured four times in Rug Hooking Magazine’s annual Celebration of Hand-Hooked Rugs, and in 2020 she was invited to be one of four judges for the publication. In addition, she is a frequent contributor to Rug Hooking Magazine. This past November, her first book, Eyes Open to the World: Memories of Travel in Wool, was published by Ampry Publishing. You can learn more about Karen and see her work at www.karendmillerstudio.com.
BASICS OF DESIGN: EXPLORE THE VOCABULARY FOR DESIGNING- ELEMENTS AND PRINCIPLES
with Susan L Feller
Tuesday, October 27, 2020, at 6:30 pm EASTERN – 9:00 pm EASTERN Beginner or years into your fiber arts journey, this workshop will help to incorporate the building blocks (elements and principles of design) to create better compositions. Students will explore the concepts using small samples, and will become comfortable using design, materials and techniques.
In the 2.5 hour session we will define the Elements and Principles of Design and discuss the universal art vocabulary. Exercises included require pencil, paper, a selection of fabric in range from light to dark, and an open mind. YOU CAN DRAW. Participants will be invited to a private group for follow up discussion and more assignments over a three month period.
This class is based on Susan’s book Design Basics for Rug Hookers, published by Stackpole Books and available in an online search.
You will be contacted by the instructor before class to expand on materials and to allow for a discussion of one’s personal background in designing and expectations for the class.
Optional Materials:
For Canadian students: Wool kits and backing available by contacting Martina Lesar (studio@martinalesar.com); ask for Design Workshop Kit.
For US students: Wool kits and backing available by contacting Parris House Wool Works in Maine (parrishousewoolworks@gmail.com); ask for Design Workshop Kit.
Please note that purchasing Susan’s book and/or the Design Workshop kit are not required, but both are beneficial to have for the class.
Class Fee: $45 US. An invoice will be sent electronically. For more information or to register, please email Susan L. Feller at rugs2wv@gmail.com with “Design Class” in subject.
Susan L. Feller is an award winning fibre artist, author, and teacher. She is a frequent contributor to Rug Hooking Magazine and she has had her work featured in and been a judge for their publication Celebration of Hand-Hooked Rugs. Susan frequently exhibits her work across North America. You can learn more about Susan and see her work at www.artwools.com.
HERE AND NOW IN WORDS AND FIBER with Elizabeth Miller from Parris House Woolworks
Wednesday, October 28, 2020, at 1:00 pm for approximately 2.5 to 3 hours in length.
“Creativity is always a leap of faith. You’re faced with a blank page, blank easel, or an empty stage.” – Julia Cameron
Beth says “In this workshop we explore the intersection of words, writing, visual images, and the emotions and responses they evoke through the medium of rug hooking. However, we are narrowing our context down to the here, the now, the present, the close at hand. In this time of COVID-19, I want to turn that feeling of restriction into an expressive opportunity through the use of visual design and accompanying poetry/prose. We will focus on our immediate environments. The purpose here is to expand your appreciation for the seemingly familiar and see it in new ways.
Through a series of wordplay and sketching exercises, we will come up with a short piece of original writing (think Haiku, single stanza poem, or ten line prose) that will form the foundation of your rug design.
While this workshop is not meant to be a traditional “how-to,” I am also happy to talk about how to apply materials other than wool or techniques beyond the basic loop to your individual design if you are inspired to do so. This differs from my telling or showing you “what to do” as this project is going to be deeply personal ,and you are the intuitive expert on its creation.
I will offer a closed Facebook group for workshop attendees who want to continue interacting as they finish their projects and can provide ongoing support and resources through completion.”
Materials needed:
Pencil and sharpener
Eraser
(Optional) Images you may want to work with/phone or tablet camera
Medium to large sketching paper – can be pieced together if needed
Notebook for writing
Fine tip Sharpie
Quilting square is helpful
Ruler, if no square
Hoop or frame
Rug hook
Snip scissors
Variety of colors and textures in wool and/or fiber
18” x 18” (suggested) or some other size serged/zigzagged/taped rug foundation
Cutter or some way to cut wool/fiber
(Optional) Calligraphy or art paper and pens Class Fee: $45 US For more information or to register, please contact Elizabeth Miller at parrishousewoolworks@gmail.com. Elizabeth Miller is the owner and artisan at the Parris House Wool Works in Paris, Maine. She has taught workshops at numerous locations, including at the Squam Art Workshops, and the Sabbathday Lake Shaker Village. Her work has been featured in Rug Hooking Magazine and Making Magazine, and she has a line of originally designed, hand-hooked, home decor items available through the Beekman 1802 Mercantile in Sharon Springs, NY. You can learn more about Elizabeth at her website www.parrishousewoolworks.com. Her upcoming book, Heritage Skills for Modern Living: Seasons at the Parris House is available for pre-order through her website as well as on Amazon.
INTUITIVE DESIGN with Meryl Cook Thursday, October 29, 2020, at 1:00 pm-4:00 pm EASTERN
Join Meryl Cook as she shares her intuitive design process. In this class we will explore creative journaling (writing and sketching) as a means to create designs from within. This workshop will appeal to artists wanting to stretch their design muscles and to those wishing to explore a unique approach to journaling. You will learn: creative journaling methods for unblocking creativity and how to use your journal to create simple, intuitive designs.
These designs can be translated to your rug hooking or to any artistic medium. No need to be a rug hooker, all are welcome. Be prepared to have fun and leave with practical tools for journaling and an intuitive design. Materials needed: a journal (or paper), pens or pencils and a sense of adventure. Highly recommended is Meryl’s second book, One Loop at a Time, The Creativity Workbook. Class fee: $45 US (approximately $59.14 Canadian as of September 9).
For more information or to register, please contact Meryl Cook at meryl@merylcook.ca. Payable by e- transfer within Canada to meryl@merylcook.ca or by PayPal if outside Canada. Class limit of 12 students.
Meryl Cook, artist, author, speaker and facilitator, specializes in connecting people with their creativity. Her corporate work focuses on engagement and well-being. Recent corporate clients include Nova Scotia Department of Environment Water Branch, Service Nova Scotia & Internal Services and Argyle Fine Art.
She is a sought after teacher in the journal writing and fibre arts communities. As an artist, colour, texture, joy and self-compassion are the key features of Meryl’s beautifully crafted hooked rugs and her books about her journey from homeopath to artist and journal writer. Meryl’s home studio is in Dartmouth, where she hooks and spins looking out at the Halifax Harbour.
Meryl is the author of One Loop at a Time, a story of rug hooking, healing and creativity and One Loop at a Time, the Creativity Workbook- both of which can be purchased from her website, www.merylcook.ca.
BUILD A BABY BOUCHEROUITE with Laura Salamy
Friday, October 30, 2020 at 1:00pm EASTERN for approximately 2.5-3 hours in length.
Boucherouites are having their day! They’re so trendy that you can’t look at a Better Home and Gardens magazine or watch an HGTV show without seeing them.
The Berber tribe of Morocco have been creating Boucherouites, one-of-a-kind, hand-knotted rugs, since the mid-20th century. Traditionally, they’re made using old clothes and other textile scraps. They’re a pretty freestyle form of expression often looking as if the weaver started with one color scheme and pattern, got bored, and moved onto something else. They’re fun in a colorful, spontaneous way and are easily adaptable to rug hooking.
In this workshop you’ll design your own “Baby Boucherouite” rug and start to hook it with textile scraps you have on hand be they cotton clothing, old bedsheets, and/or leftover wool noodles. The sky’s the limit! We’ll also discuss how to prepare, cut, and hook with non-wool materials.
This class is designed for a student proficient at rug hooking basics, particularly the mechanics of pulling loops through a backing. You need not own a cutter to participate (or even to hook rugs!).
Because this is an online workshop, students will supply their own materials.
Materials needed: Hooks; Backing of choice, enough to allow for a rectangular mat at least 12” by 6”; A frame; A pencil (or “magic” pen) and Sharpie (we’ll draw rugs straight onto the backing); Fibers of choice (wool, yarn, old clothing/textiles, whatever); and
A mind and spirit open to experimenting and FUN. Class Fee: $45 US For more information or to register please contact Laura Salamy at Laura@highonhooking.com. Class limit of 12 students.
Laura Salamy is the hooker behind High on Hooking. I’ve never been a “traditional” hooker, preferring to color outside of hooking’s more “typical lines.” Instead of limiting myself to wool, I prefer to use most any material I can get my hands on. Often that means cutting strips from old t-shirts and bed sheets. Up-cycling throw-aways to art is a priority for me. Our landfills are filling up. Or they’re already full. While certain projects benefit from virgin wools or other fibers, I like to do my little part to slow that process and make something lovely at the same time.
Laura’s work has been seen in various exhibits as well as Rug Hooking Magazine; ATHA Art of Rug Hooking magazine; Karen D. Miller’s book Eyes Open to the World: Memories of Travel in Wool; and Judy Taylor’s T-Shirt Treasures: Creating Heirloom Hooked Rugs from the Humble T-Shirt. She currently serves as President of the Adobe Wool Art’s Guild, New Mexico’s only rug hooking guild. Learn more about her work at https://highonhooking.com.
We look forward to this exciting week filled with energy, experiments and experiences to share. Sessions are filling as each instructor has sent the information to their mailing lists.
Challenging self is part of living. As the restrictions to travel developed in 2020 I took some time to evaluate my dreams. Hiking the full 2,190 miles of the Appalachian Trail topped the list. Time to observe nature, leave external voices behind, reflect and connect with self were elements the journey would offer. But for me I admitted thru hiking would not happen. In 2020, the pandemic closed the system to many others who hoped to set out. I made my own trail.
I had wanted to connect the traditional random woven rag rugs we had from family members with rug hooking in a design and found a long narrow map of the Appalachian Trail which fit this concept. Two runners of linen each 59″ x 19″ were marked with the trail blazes, major river paths, and geographical sections. I pulled wools from inventory and sorted them into seasonal colored piles to become strips ready for the hook and finally 107,616 loops.
Over the next two months I hooked away in the studio, daily posting progress shots on my Instagram page ArtWools, Susan L Feller. The encouragement from followers included stories of their own experiences with the trail. Some lived close by. As I got to that spot I thought about them, even inserting a favorite color. As the seasons changed from cool colorful spring into warmer summer I switched piles of wool intermingling the colors as I imagined would be happening in the higher elevations and warmer valleys.
Hooked initials
2020 Thru Hike Appalachian Trail #1, Susan L Feller
2020 Thru Hike Appalachian Trail #2 Susan L Feller
The typical 6 month journey on foot may have not been physically experienced but I have a visual personal reminder. The two rugs look complete individually and can join together seamlessly. They even look interesting side by side which has lead me to think of a seasonal rug perhaps 36 x 60. In the exhibit ‘Journeys’ at Beckley Art Center, the label reads commission work would be entertained. The New River would be an interesting subject exploring one season for each panel (smaller than the runners though). Endless ideas and still lots of time in the studio.
Installed as part of exhibit at Lost River Trading Post in Wardensville, the two together step up the wall as I had envisioned. Or they can be enjoyed walking along a hallway.
The runners were displayed at Sauder Village during the 25th Rug Hooking Week in August. The Wisconsin Museum of Quilt and Fiber Arts have selected them as part of the first exhibit solely featuring rug hooking “Hooked by Design” Dec 9 – February 20, 2022. A catalog will accompany this show.
Just off a live talk In the Studio through Karen D Miller Studio where the topic of exhibiting fiber art was discussed. This post provides links for your own research and success.
Build a body of work by practicing, experimenting, critiquing and doing. Join arts organizations, regional museums, subscribe to trade media, and network with peers. FiberArtNow.net , Handweavers Guild WeaveSpinDye.org , RugHookingMagazine.com , SurfaceDesign.org . Participate in events, conferences, social media pages and groups created by fiber artists.
We select shows, events for a variety of reasons. The theme might interest you especially if it addresses the focus of your work. Who is the juror? Read their bio and the venue’s mission statement to identify the audience. How do you select what to submit? Excellent photos according to the specifics requested, the best work and, if multiple entries, be consistent in style the jurors and organization will recognize your work in the future. Location of the show might influence entry. Can you hand deliver a large piece? Is shipping an added expense? Will the work be insured on site? What is the sales commission? Is there a catalog in print and online? What are the events planned – reception, gallery talks, workshops, online exhibit, social media promotion?
Preparing work for public view and sale is different than showing to your local guild. Will the utilitarian rug be hung? What does the space require – sleeve and rod, wired to hang, professionally framed with closed back and wired to hang. Pricing should be researched and consistent. Your retail pricing must consider gallery commissions rather than adding the percentage when the piece is entered. Label the work including title, your name and contact, materials and techniques. A brief statement telling your story would be helpful for agents and the person who purchases your work. I include “Working with fibers connects me with the spirits from past generations of artisans. Due to the slow process of my craft, there is time to dwell on the natural subjects and materials I have selected. Now living in West Virginia, I have come full circle-back to the farm and rural lifestyle of my youth. I hope you think about your impact on the beauty conveyed in my art.”
Writing an Artist Statement is as important as making the work. There are several versions requested: short, a paragraph or two introducing the collection or work’s basic ideas and describing how they are addressed in the particular piece. In a larger version (under one page) your voice talks with the audience, how they should view the work, how it relates to overall direction, artists who influence you, the importance of a technique or material. This link gives more specifics and includes samples. Read other artist’s statements and juror’s reviews.
STITCH, 2017 at Claypool-Young Art Gallery, Morehead State College, KY
Working with my hands, identifying the materials through touch, sight and sound centers me. Growing up in rural America in 1960-70’s make-do skills were daily lessons. Sewing, crochet, knitting and crafts were taught by my grandmother and mother. Girl Scouting broadened the life learning knowledge developing me into a caring individual. Iconic ERA is autobiographical. A psychedelic hooked mat is the base for the 1970’s iconic ERA logo. I circled this with my own Girl Scout badges placing the gold edged ones so if connected in the center they would create a PEACE sign. The striped fabric honors acceptance of all people. I used thin lettering of embroidery for the message “We all can vote for equality” to offset the powerful design. This is one in a series of three exploring equality. The others can be seen at ArtWools.com/Gallery
Did you get accepted or rejected? If the latter how do you react? I often enter knowing my work will at least be viewed by some new critics. If it is rejected I will attend if possible, buy the catalog or view the selections online evaluating the results and learning. Observations from people I interviewed for this talk mentioned more fiber art being entered in art shows than a decade ago. That is good for the field and should raise our efforts to continue innovations, developing style, materials and entering professional images. If the positive is yes how will you promote this opportunity? Update your website/resume with image of the work, links to the venue, local and professional media announcements, attend the opening, talk with artists and audience and follow up with those conversations. Follow the deadlines to deliver work, labeling and packing for shipment, include return shipping payment.
What type of shows are there? How do you find them? Besides actively searching listings for shows on CaFE – CallForEntry.org, FiberArtNow.net/Submissions, GlobalTextileHub.com/ , RugHookingMagazine’s Celebrations and being juried there are other opportunities. Invitational – a curator will work with a venue or develop a theme for traveling shows and invite a group of participants who fill the overall theme. It may be all fiber, or statewide artists, work fitting a theme or the space. This is where networking is important. I have been a resident of West Virginia for two decades, entering annual and bi-annual art shows, participating in arts organizations and received invite to a major exhibit just two years ago. The solo show at Beckley Art Center is a result of my showing with a WV Public Broadcasting program and having a unique technique. Online social media and print opportunities are also avenues to get exposure. Many publications have active media platforms including weekend take overs of their accounts. Check out Fiber Art Now
A photo came on my screen and I thought…that would be interesting to interpret with my techniques. I reached out to West Virginia potter and Tamarack Foundation For the Arts Fellow Hannah Lenhart for permission. Her response was “I was flattered and very excited! The original image happened because I was sanding and washing pots and setting them out to dry. I found all the “butts” super pretty so I arranged them for a photo. It’s cool knowing that someone else found the image as interesting as I did.” (Hannah and I have both received fellowship grants from TFA, she in 2018 as an Emerging Artist and I as a Master in 2013).
One of her vases became the “pattern” for 4″ circular shapes on graph paper to space them in ordered randomness. When I drew out with pencil, sharpened the lines with magic marker it was ready to use the lightbox and transfer to linen backing as a 24 x 20 design. THEN bags of wools came out, organized in color families with patterns and solids abounding to cut into strips. The variety of black and white squiggles and lines Hannah incorporates in her work were fun to interpret with high contrasting tweeds, plaids and checks. To get the color playing with black I used a technique called “beading” where two high contrasting strips of wool travel along, each contributing a loop in an alternating fashion.
I looked back at the image only once for a reminder on how the bottoms (butts) were decorated. Each has the signature HL and often a pattern of lines with the coloring of the mug evident. How was I going to make my circles unique? Of course my upholstery samples pile served up a wonderful variety to be cut and applique’d. Most were embroidered using Wendy Clark’s thrums to attach the piece with abstract lines enhancing the fabric’s design.
hook and wool strips of fabric
color planning
Beading as the inner ring
upholstery samples and embroidery
upholstery fabric inserted
Isolation and time to “visit” the internet has lead to many advertisements being deleted but one came along just at the right time from Renaissance Ribbons. I found a ribbon with squares that could be used as a border and ordered it right away. After stitching the finished work to black cotton and folding the edge as a plain border the ribbon was added and definitely pulled the piece together.
hooked fabric strips, embroidery on upholstery fabric, inspired by Hannah Lenhart’s pottery with ribbon border
When I sent this photo to Hannah she replied “Audible gasp! (haha). I’m a lover of color and pattern and I love how you played around so much with both! Also there is so much detail. This piece must have taken so many hours! A labor of love, much like ceramics. “ It has been fun knowing I was creating work imagined by someone else yet ending up with a unique signature piece. Here are our monograms in the rug.
The last step will be to see this with some of Hannah’s mugs set on top. When we can get together again that image will happen. It has been interesting collaborating by internet, glad we each have also met in person. Check out Hannah’sClayCreations.com and enjoy a cup of joy with us.
If you are interested in collaborating consider GlobalTextileHub.com and their next exhibition Collaborate/Re-Imagine Call for Entry, one artist needs to work with fibers the other any media…. commitment due Sept 30 and work submitted online by April of 2021. Virtual exhibit premiers in August 2021. See the prospectus here
My roots in Girl Scouting guides choices even in this decade of my life. Using scraps from another maker helps them clear space, lowers my expenses and increases a supply of materials but especially helps the earth … limiting landfill growth. We recycled in the 1960’s now it is called up-cycling and the Girl Scout motto includes “Make new friends and keep the old”, I definitely have expanded the artist network with this quest.
Wendy Clark is a fiber artist, weaving her hand-dyed threads/yarns into scarves, shawls and baby wraps through her company Wenweave in the mountains of West Virginia. She collects thrums (warp threads tied off between pieces) for me into garbage sized bags and then we meet up for the exchange. I get her “rats nest“ and we some inspiring conversation. One visit the talking lead to collaborating on a project. Hours after I have organized the threads they are ready to be hooked and embroidered into what I call my Thread Collection. Here are a couple from that series, the full collection will be available at Beckley Art Center during my exhibit August 7-October 17, 2020.
Sunset….threads from Wendy Clark, hooked by Susan L Feller
Spinning Eyes… threads from Wendy, hooked by Susan
In future workshops bundles of these colorful threads will be shared with students and go out in the world of creatives spreading our mutual friendship and love for sharing. I send off the snippets from my work to a spinner who incorporates them into colorful yarn. Zero Waste!
Visit Wendy’s site Wenweave.com and see her work in person at Tamarack, in Beckley, WV
Part 4 of 4: Have the urge to learn more and stay in touch with creatives? Cyberspace is another tool to add to the hook, needle, and fibers in our supply box. We just need to learn how to use it. Meet some admins of social media groups; trusted personalities with podcasts, internet camps, and blogs; and artist pages to learn their stories. Hope this will broaden your journey, see you along the way or here next year on IRHD-Dec 4, 2020.
Steps for our journey
Social media can be a time suck, emotional roller coaster or introduce you to new friends and a big library. When Lucy Richard in New Brunswick decided to set up The Wooly Mason Jar Rughooking group on Facebook she thought “I chose to put myself in the shoes of a new hooker when I began it. I wanted a safe place to come for advice and words of encouragement and a sense of community.” This group talks about the colourful wools that come out of their dyepots using the Wooly Mason Jar recipes. Martina Lesar saw a need for a group free of advertising, and focusing on Contemporary Rug Hooking. The description begins “This group was formed to encourage and inspire contemporary styles even traditional patterns that have been reworked with a contemporary twist or colour plan.” Her studio in Ontario is open for patterns, wool and supplies in person and on-line. Lori Brechlin of Notforgotten Farm in Virginia administers a private group called The Out of Hand Rug Hookers “our mission here is to share, educate and encourage…please post often about your projects-in-progress and your love for rug hooking & rug punching.” Loretta Scena in New York created a great service with Rug Hooking Camps, Shows, Workshops and Classes. Visit this to find exhibits, and learning opportunities. These are four of the dozens groups you can search out and join.
Hooking on a pin loom
Working with our hands leaves less time to type on keyboards, or read a book but podcasts and videos are good company in our studios. Gene Shepherd from California knows how to teach with videos. His beginning loop pulling video has given people in Australia, England and North America the confidence to build a stash of fabric and make rugs. The website GeneShepherd.com shows his store of patterns and supplies, workshops, and a subscription Internet Rug Camp where over 75 videos and daily blog posts are archived for members. Deanne Fitzpatrick from her Amherst, Nova Scotia studio has encouraged us to “Create Beauty Everyday”. Subscribe to the podcast of the same name, there will be conversations with interesting fiber artists. She has a way of chatting on videos on YouTube as Deanne Fitzpatrickand blogs as if you are right there pulling loops together. Groups make travel plans to Canada for themed workshops, or some tea, scones and conversation while shopping and online at HookingRugs.com And there is a FB group too – Wild with Wool. Rug Hooking Magazine shares several live stream sessions from their FB page including a series by Lisanne Miller of W. Cushing & Co in Maine. Global Textile Hub in Australia is creating videos, webinars and virtual on-line fiber art exhibits. These productions can be found on Kira Mead’s YouTube channel.
Finally, meet some of my fiber friends. Check their calendars to see work in person. The21Collective is seven artists sharing experiences with each other in retreats and speaking louder together. We are currently on FB and Instagram as The21Collective with a website to be launched soon. The page gives links to each website and our artist statements. Liz Alpert Fay lives in Connecticut exhibiting mixed media work worldwide and sending a newsletter quarterly on LizAlpertFay.com . Michelle Sirois Silver‘s studio is in Vancouver, BC, Canada where she consciously works with recycled materials in consideration of the environment. Her gallery on the website MichelleSiroisSilver.com is filled with energy and variety. You might be lucky to get into a workshop or lecture sometime.
It is almost Dec 5 and I could go on and on suggesting connections for you but let me leave saying if you have been inspired to pull a loop and slow down to repeat, repeat until magic appears I have achieved my goal : TO GET YOU HOOKED ! Stay in touch through ArtWools.com/contact and say hello when we meet in person at a show.
Dec. 4 , part 3 – Connecting in person and on-line defines three words of our celebration – INTERNATIONAL, and RUG Hooking, prodding, punching, braiding tomorrow and everyday.
Thanks to the five years we have been promoting this day, Rug Hooking Magazine’s facebook event will be filled with photos from the celebrations held all week.
Traveling chronologically, Australia will bring in the day with end of year celebrations in New South Wales and Queensland, three time zones later in Western Australia. Follow these groups in 2020 by signing up on the Australian Rugmakers Guild’s blog. Then Japan and on to Abu Dhabi where Ti Seymour and the UAE Rugmakers are demonstrating punch and hooking at Costa Coffee Al Muneera Island. Håkon Grøn Hensvold, is in Skreia, Norway. His work is included in Rug Hooking Magazine and several books. The UK groups gather in London, the Yorkshires, Penzance and many villages in Great Britain, Scotland and Wales.
Friends getting together
Crossing the “pond” all of the Canadian provinces will have events. As we noted in a previous post, Newfoundland and Labrador have a long history of mat making. This is also the host region for TIGHR through 2021. In Nova Scotia and New Brunswick the many rug hooking businesses will be open for drop-ins. Lucy Richard told me she is going to visit Della Ackles Rug Hooking in Amherst for the first time. And looks forward to the colourful creativity at Deanne Fitzpatrick’s Studio on Church Street in Amherst. Richard has created a dyeing system with extensive formulas after a simple set-up called The Wooly Mason Jar. (I will mention another service of Lucy in part 4.) Carol Harvey-Clark, a founding member of TIGHR, has a shop listed as an EcoMuseum in Mahone Bay called Spruce Top Rug Hooking Studio. Christine Little’s Encompassing Designs is also in Mahone Bay, filled with rug patterns, beautiful dyed wools, and supplies. I am going to mention one more shop but you would be best planning a week or more exploring these provinces for rug making beauty. Jan Steele operates River House Rug Hooking Studio in Petite Rivière Bridge (just have to visit to see the village). A community project to experience is in the Eglise Historique de Barachois, New Brunswick where 200 hooked cushions were contributed from across Canada and abroad.
Quebec and Ontario chapters are part of the Ontario Hooking Craft Guild. On the 4th, Beaconsfield Hooking Crafters Guild and Marlintown Wild & Woolly Rug Hookers join together for their annual celebration in Williamstown, ON. Martina Lesar hosts a hook-in for the public in Brampton, ON. And with dozens of chapters around the province of Ontario I am sure there are other meetings. Crossing west through Canada there are many groups, with a concentration in British Columbia around Vancouver and Victoria.
Ruckman Mill Farm, now @ Green Mountain Hooked Rugs
Check out the events and advertisers at RugHookingMagazine.com if you are traveling. Or better yet subscribe to the only magazine dedicated to the range of techniques, styles and regions of the craft/art in 2019.
Tomorrow – December 4 will be the final post of this overview. Introducing readers to some of the networkers and the artists using these techniques in their unique styles.
Part 2: Dec. 4 is celebrated globally to share the friendship, and publicize how contemporary rug makers use traditional tools and methods.
Antique Grenfell, owned by Kathy Wright
Over decades the economics of communities has benefited from rughooking. In the first half of the 20th Century Dr. Wilfred Grenfell established a cottage industry in Newfoundland and Labrador producing hooked mats using silk stockings donated by socialites along the East Coast of the US. He was a doctor providing health services by boat to the provincial communities and saw the technique of mat making – encouraging designs of polar bears, fishing and local living. Today the mats are treasured, valuable and documented by author Paula Laverty in Silk Stocking Mats. In Cape Breton, during the same time frame, American, Lillian Burke is credited with refining the Cheticamp rug tradition and showcasing it to the world, when she began designing rugs made with wool rather than rags and commissioning Cheticamp women to produce them in the 1920s. Burke, who had first come to Cape Breton while working as a tutor for the grandchildren of Alexander Graham Bell, then sold the rugs to an eager American market. (excerpt from post about contemporary rug maker Yvette Muise) There is a book about Burke and this community: The Story of Lillian Burke, Dr. Edward Langille. Throughout the US cottage industries also supported regions during the depression years.
Today Guatemalans interpret their regional motifs into hooked rug designs sold as the Multicolores Collective, through Cultural Cloth, the Wisconsin coordinator. With Cultural Cloth, fiber artists can take a tour to work alongside the Mayans in their villages designing, sourcing materials and making their own rug. The book Rug Money by Mary Anne Wise and Cheryl Conway-Daly describes the development of the program and rewarding self-esteem benefits. On the African continent in Gambia, since 2007, Rug Aid empowers visually impaired students to make hooked mats which are sold to fund the project organized by Heather Ritchie from the UK.
Yarrabilba Community Centre in 2017. Australia
Many rug hooking groups meet regularly in public spaces inviting people to watch, and join in the work. In Western Australia the Wannaroo Rug Makers meet in the city library every Saturday morning over the past 10 years. There is a community rug on a frame each year. These have been donated to the children’s section of the library, and installed in other government buildings. Rug hooking has been recognized as a category in craft fairs and exhibited in other states. Groups in Queensland, New South Wales, South Australia and even Tasmania share the rugmaking traditions brought to Australia by immigrants from Canada, the US and UK. Wool is not easily available or any of the materials treasured by those countries so the innovative Australians source materials and tools to make unique work.
ArtWools Studio of Susan Feller 