Sketches and small studies reveal patterns, address color nuances and encourage decisions.
What will be explored again, how large, using what materials, techniques, how many times?
5 inch hooked mats Susan L Feller
Granted I have 365 sketches to “inspire” me creatively. But there is something about beginning to do that has eluded me for a block of time. Don’t fret, we are not holed up here in the mountains though rather traveled to new museums and collected inspiring details.
Studying a favorite, Georgia O’Keefe
The Chrysler Museum of Art is in Norfolk, VA and open (free) every day. Galleries are filled chronologically covering worldwide history. The contemporary exhibits change and a separate Glass Studio includes opportunities to watch work in progress.
Labeling can add to the experience and the information with the artwork enhances our understanding of time and technique. We also found the docents to be the friendliest and most knowledgeable.
Shadows in Contemporary Gallery
At the Michener Museum, Doylestown, PA color was abundant. Kaffe Fassett presented “Blanket Statements” exhibiting quilts from a British collection alongside the contemporary results through Feb 21, 2016.
Bucks County Impressionist collection
The Michener collection focuses on regional artwork and features the talent of Bucks County Impressionists hung in a salon manner with labels as handouts not interspersed on the wall.
Inspiration can and should come from traveling. Vancouver, BC was an exciting trip filled with Emily Carr’s vast Pacific Northwest rainforest, city structure, and studio visits. All made extra special by spending with several art friends.
Shapes, texture, color, scale and awe.
Then there are the every day scenes filled with memories that can trigger a design. I am energized by selecting these scenes and with a snow storm predicted will gather materials and tools for a long weekend of creating. Hope you too are prepared or will find inspiration in the days ahead.
I invite you to explore the daily journal notes, sketches and artwork created during October 2014 at October-November 4, 2014
Each are available for sale on RuckmanMillFarm.com enter the date in this format 10-1-14.
Two paths converge with my work: history and art. Documenting who created the artwork begins the archival trail for future researchers, bringing “life” to an object.
The squares are not individually signed within the work but I am stitching a label to each along with the online archival record at Year Study.
Those which are framed include labeling in several steps.
Thrilled with the end results – a unique piece of art, off to its new home.
4-24-14 Positive Negative; hooked
I am thrilled to announce the administrative work is completed and you can virtually explore the Year Study – square by square. Review the exhibit here online.
From November 2013, through November 2014 the individual squares are listed for sale at squareup.com/store/Susan-Feller-ArtWools select STORE then the month you are interested in or scroll through. Sold pieces are not listed on the sale site but you can still study them at www.ArtWools.com/year-study.
Looking forward to conversations in person, here online and through articles about creativity, process and product.
Year Study Journals
One month to go! The prep work is administrative now – scanning journal pages, photographing, cropping and uploading images and creating labels for the only public exhibit of all 365+ squares. The YEAR STUDY will be hung as twelve panels (months) at Sauder Village Rug Hooking Week in Archbold, OH August 12-15. On Saturday morning I am conducting a gallery talk, sign up for this or enjoy the visuals while at the show.
The variety of techniques, materials and composition styles are sure to encourage fiber artists. Taking the time to educate myself with these elements has been more important than I first expected. As an artist there are times when everything clicks and volumes of pieces are the results. The satisfaction of sales and ease in making similar work just keeps flowing along.
BUT I have observed the spark of the artist does not end up in every one of their pieces. Back in my college days when a roll of photographs was taken there was probably only one or maybe two which were great, artists know when the object has a soul.
Working in uncertainty everyday to create a visual record was helpful to learn how to communicate visually. Besides improving drawing skills I learned to simplify, enhance shapes, use colors and values to direct the viewer. Using a variety of techniques within one square, I have been able to create interest in a small object.
Several themes are haunting me and the studio has been reorganized, purged of clutter and is ready to be used for creativity. While cutting up the panels and adding the finishing to each square is still ahead, knowing they will be purchased and enjoyed by others makes this step enjoyable along with educational.
On the road again teaching, lectures and just because the weather is nice and making a point to visit all the state parks in WV. Coopers Rock State Forest was just three miles off the Interstate on my way to Cedar Lakes last week.
Cooper’s Rock State Forest WV CCC construction
A breathtaking view of undeveloped forest and valley atop a massive ROCK. The CCC program instituted by President Roosevelt employed thousands and left structures built with native materials which decades later are treasured.
Cooper’s Rock State Park, WV
Birch catkin
The birds were singing, sun shining and wind blowing trees with bright new leaves and catkins. Picked up a book with trails described, will be sure to return in other seasons.
Arrived at Cedar Lakes Conference Center in Ripley for week long rug camp directed by Tomorrow’s Heirlooms. Always enjoy the early morning fog lifting off water surface and structures. How could this view be interpreted using fiber techniques? The reflecting light is what fascinates me.
early morning light
Traveled to Charleston and visited the Capitol Market. Plants in all sizes, colors and leaf shapes. Inspirations everywhere if you pause to see what you are looking at.
And finished this stop with lunch at Soho which uses Homer Laughlin Fiestaware (WV company) for serving dishes along with local ingredients for fresh salads.
Fiestaware at SoHo
Inspirations collected depict space, scale, color, value, contrast, depth, texture, nature and history. May I encourage you to experience new visuals and sounds and add them to your work.
The 8th Retreat into the Mountains weekend is over with resounding “YES let’s do this again” from all. Coming in over the mountains fog slowed the progress into Peterkin Camp and Conference Center on Friday. Gathering with friends, settling into our nests, sharing the projects we wanted to spend our time on, and learning a variety of finishing techniques were how Friday was spent. Of course there was food in the dining hall and in-between, all with a healthy approach. Last person left the workroom at 12:30 Saturday morning….
Keri Sue Brunk lead two yoga sessions on Saturday. The first before breakfast and the second one introducing the practice just before lunch. She also loosened up the neck, hands and back muscles while we sat in our seats.
The finishing techniques we covered were triple whipping with cording conducted as a hands-on session by Nancy Parcels. Stumbles, success, and appreciation were the compliments we shared with our samples. Lori LaBerge showed the layering involved to present her work for gallery sales by stitching the hooked work to gray herringbone, stretched onto art board with clean wrapped corners, cloth covering the back all of which is then inserted into a gold rimmed shadowbox frame. A whipped mitered corner was demonstrated from handout by Germaine James of Canada. Debra Smith showed how a picot crocheted edge enhances a whimsical design.
Collection of pin looms
The Falls
We played with pin looms ranging in sizes from 2 inch square to 4″ x 6″ and using a variety of yarns and ribbons. The March/April/May 2015 issue of Rug Hooking Magazine includes an article about continuous weaving incorporating pieces into hooked art. The annual hike to the glen with waterfall and hemlock grove introduced the property at Peterkin to the new attendees on Saturday afternoon.
Jim, Paul, Andy, Rick and Joe
Saturday evening we stayed at Peterkin and all of our senses were exposed to a new experience. Within Hampshire County there are dozens of musicians who jam weekly playing old-time music. I called Paul Roomsburg and he networked with four others. Jim Morris brought instruments made from common objects telling us the history of music. Joe Hypes and Andy Agnew brought along their Rebel Union CDs and played guitar, fiddle and banjo during the evening. Rick Pegg played the entire three hours standing up with the bass. To say we had a good time would be far from enough compliments to this group of talent. By the end wooden spoons were tapping away on body parts, our clapping and stomping added to their strings. We all joined in with a rendition of John Denver’s ‘Country Roads‘ and ‘Amazing Grace‘.
Taking photos, studying
2015 attendees
Sunday was filled with conversations including critiques; suggestions for equipment, material and other workshops; and several successful completed projects. We “throw down” works onto the wide porch each year and then get together for a group portrait. Lunch and packing up came too quickly but the dates are set for 2016 and cyberspace will keep us connected until then.
March 23 I finished the last month in the Year Study. That is not to mean every single square is completed but I can say there is an end in sight and the twelve panels will be ready for Sauder Village Rug Hooking Week August 11-15 in Archbold, OH.
Visit Year Study – Collection Gallery to see the months and individual squares. Over time the full project will be uploaded.
August 2014 nine squares
Lessons learned? Sketch and complete each subject at least within the month. I jumped around and when busy with teaching stopped working on the pieces until months later. The creative momentum was lost for a particular design or a techniqueI had suggested did not interest me when it came around to doing that square. So I changed it.
I still procrastinate. Although deadlines are met, I prioritize the projects and decide whether a commitment is worth pursuing or can be shelved. This one will be completed because I told many people, it has been accepted as an exhibit, I am happy with the results, the documentation will be useful in future articles, workshops and the direction of my artwork practices.
Color studies
Solution: Independent study with one person as student and advisor means goals or methods can be changed to meet the situation. Stay positive do not chastise, evolve. I changed some designs from original sketch. There were days with no sketches which I used to explore a series with pleasure. I got through by breaking the 365+pieces down into segments of a each month.
Results: When the project began I thought it would be rewarding to explore new techniques in surface design. Now 18 months later and counting, that goal was met and I have set another one: to educate. During the year photographs were taken when changes were made to a piece. I will write a series of articles describing the process, challenges and solutions. In future posts and the pages on the site under Year Study, mini courses will develop and a dialog with viewers. I found using social media helpful for encouragement, directed critique and developing an interested audience.
Progress in the Mountains, Susan L. Feller 2014
There is an urge to work on larger pieces finally. Abstract, geometric, simplified palettes, and environmental stories are the styles and subjects which will be developed.
To be continued. I am glad to be on this creative journey with you.
Transfer design to linen backing
As a creative person I would love to stay in the studio and work, but no one sees the results unless they visit. These days a virtual visit can be arranged if some of that creative time is put into developing websites, blogs and social media avenues.
Here are ways you can view, learn about, and purchase some of that artwork:
We are revamping the website www.RuckmanMillFarm.com It is back up now. Hope you check it out regularly to see new and favorite rug hooking patterns, supplies, and my teaching schedule. Use the coupon FaceShip when checking out to receive free shipping until March 31. And please send me comments on the navigation and order process, we can improve with input. Here in the hills of West Virginia it is loading SLOWLY……
The site you are on now, www.ArtWools.com serves as my identity as an artist and also acts as a blog. If you are new to it, I invite you to look on the right sidebar and sign up for automatic posts . Search the pages to view Galleries and biographical details.
We are now on Facebook on two pages Ruckman Mill Farm , Susan L. Feller, Artwools , LIKE them for news feeds.
And I have several boards on Pinterest at Susan Feller at Artwools
Hoping to hear from you after “visiting” 24-7.
ArtWools Studio of Susan Feller 