Tuesday, December 6, 2016

Frakturs

Fraktur by Ruthanne Hartung

Ruthanne Hartung is a Fraktur artist who has written a book on Pennsylvania Frakturs.....with a modern touch.  She includes instructions, design ideas, techniques for coloring and lettering, and a variety of patterns.  I completed a house blessing which is one of the projects she presents in the book.



House Blessing; Ink, Coffee, and Watercolor on Watercolor Paper
2016, 8" x 10"

Frakturs are folk art celebrating family events.  They are artistic, hand lettered documents including birth, baptismal, and marriage certificates; house blessings; family trees; and such.  Most Frakturs were created by the Pennsylvania Germans during the 1700s and 1800s.  The name "Fraktur" comes from the distinctive, angular lettering...... "fractured" pen strokes.

Susan L. Feller is a teacher who adapted Fraktur designs for use in hooked rugs.  She taught members of my local guild how to develop a Fraktur rug design with a personal story.  She, also, offers a box of patterns (Design in a Box, Frakturs) for people who might be intimidated by the drawing process.

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