My hooked rugs reflect my life experience growing up in the Pacific Northwest and the incredible nature that surrounds us. I am often amazed at how anything can become an inspiration for my work ... a camp out on a bay hemmed in by wild roses, a drive along a tree- bordered river, a walk through the neighborhood, an article in a magazine, or a beautiful piece of fabric, ... anything. As a fiber artist, I often go through phases where I experiment over and over again using a certain motif in my designs. I am intrigued how the slightest change in how the motif is positioned, the size and shape of the rug, the colors or textures used for the motif or the background can completely alter the personality, the mood or essence of the piece. I am grateful and inspired by the fact that our "grandmothers" had the need to create, and often made their utilitarian rugs using worn out old clothing. Salvaged wool is an important part of my rug making, as I choose to hook using recycled wool, blending it with new hand dyed wool. Most of my stunningly beautiful dyed wool is created using Karen Kahle (Primitive Spirit Rugs) dye books, The Vintage Dye Book, The Dusty Little Dye Book, and The Marbelized Dye Book. I have been making rugs for many years. I love what I do. Every aspect of creating a piece is fulfilling. It is always exciting for me to watch an idea evolve from start to finish. At times, when I begin a piece it is just a shadow of an idea, but as I proceed, transferring the initial sketch to the linen backing, selecting the colors and textures of wool, to finally hooking the motifs, the work takes on a life of its own and sometimes I am just as surprised as anyone to see what has been created. Often, even as I am working on one design, I have got several more spinning around in my head waiting and wanting to become that next piece. My husband and three teenagers are finally figuring out that the current rug I am working on is probably not my last, that one can never have too many hooked pieces, and that a creative mess is very different than just any old mess. Thanks to my family for their ongoing support and understanding. Many thanks to you, the rug hooking enthusiast, for appreciating my work. |
