Tag Archives: west virginia

Realism Interpreted

3 Replies

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

3 Replies

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

4 Replies
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

Leave a reply

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

3 Replies
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

4 Replies

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

 

Best of West Virginia 2013 at Tamarack

3 Replies

The summer show at Tamarack in Beckley, WV is titled “The Best of West Virginia”.  Juried, 400 pieces were reviewed and 140 selected with awards given for Best in Show, 1st-3rd and Honorable Mention.  The gallery exhibit and SALE is up through August 2.

This year I entered a traditional design inspired by floral Fraktur motifs.  It was selected and hangs as a stunning piece of art right next to the Best in Show photograph.  Guess that is good real estate.  Visit facebook Tamarack WV and look for the photos of opening to catch a glimpse of Caraway Garden Runner over the shoulder of the Best in Show winner.

"Caraway Garden Runner" 18 x 52 designed & hooked by Susan L. Feller 2013

I decided to use a restricted palette of reds and oranges stretching this by including warm and cool members of each hue.  The foliage is dull sage greens, neutral to the flowers.  It has been some time since warm yellow was the background for a design but it lends a bright cheery mood to the feeling of “Caraway Garden Runner”. 

Working from one end to the other, and alternating light and dark values in motifs (sort of), this runner was a delight yet challenging piece.  I found the limiting palette needed some pick me ups and worked turquoise and purples into centers and the central motif.

Originally the edge was going to be a simple 1/4″ of red whipping yarn but that seemed too delicate for the raucous yellow.  Looking back at Frakturs (PA German illuminated manuscripts) I pulled from their border techniques a simple geometric repeat to edge and contain the organic shapes.  Using the yellows and greens I alternated pulling a loop which is a technique called “beading” in rughooking.  It looks as if there are contrasting beads strung around the border.  Still not satisfied that a thin red line would be enough, I played with widths of red fabric, settling on a 1 1/2″ wide one. 

The design is available as a pattern for fellow rughookers at www.RuckmanMillFarm.com Below are some detail images, Enjoy.  Click on the first image to view them larger in sequence.

Retreat again into the Mountains

1 Reply

For the 6th year our RETREAT INTO THE MOUNTAINS was a rousing success.  Friday through Sunday in mid April is a beautiful time to wake up your creative juices with SPRING bursting out all around at the Peterkin Camp and Conference Center in Hampshire County, West Virginia.

The theme this year was COLOR… Participants selected their color of the weeeken and developed a small design evoking the hue with motifs and selection of fabrics and techniques.  This gallery shows works in progress throughout the session. 

During the weekend we participated in a yoga session sitting in our seats which focused on the tight back, arm, hands and eyes.  Music and levity loosened us up too as we moved our extremeties making letters and pasta shapes in the air.  We sat for a group photo, reviewed finished pieces on the porch and listened intently to Beth Tembo’s talk and display about African fabrics.  Several jumped into a dye session on Saturday and we all caravaned out to Ruckman Mill Farm to visit Jim and the chickens.  We were well fed by our host.

Working on a Commission

5 Replies

The following series takes you through an exciting design project.  I was contacted in August of 2012 and the rug was delivered on April 5, 2013.  This design reflects the owner’s creativity in building their home and the natural site they chose.  In retrospect I would call the style Arts and Crafts (my mind and creativity are intertwined with the process).  The size is 40″ x 84″ and I used #8 cuts (1/4″ wide hand cut strips of wool) hooked through a primitive linen.

Steps involved contact from client based on a label on previous small mat purchased four years earlier.  We arranged a visit to the home to see surroundings, meet and discuss site in house, size, color, environment.  Three sketches were sent, the selected one was then drawn to scale and brought to the house with wools for color and approval.  At this point an estimated time for completion was established and deposit put down.  Wool prep including dyeing began and the hooking process is illustrated.  On final delivery the owners walked on the rug, and I photographed it at home.

Retreat into the Mountains 2012

1 Reply

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