Abstract

Abstract, 2014

Wool strips on linen, 2' x 3'

Recently, I was fortunate to have a rug hooking class with Michele Micarelli.  In trying to find a pattern to work on, I was inspired by her rug, Coral.  I wanted to do a more abstract pattern than I've done previously.  In searching for an idea, I found a photo by Dr. Thomas J. Deerinck on the Nikon Small World website that was colorful and complex.  I sent him an email requesting permission to use the image in a hooked rug, promising to neither sell the rug nor a pattern made from the image. He granted permission. I enlarged the basic forms of the image onto a 2' x 3' linen and dyed most of the wool.  Here is what I have completed of the rug so far.  It gets even brighter!  

Blots, Drips, and Splots

I've just read Margaret Peot's Inkblot.  She states that we can stimulate our creativity through "cultivating playfulness" on a regular basis.  This "training" will help us to use both our right brain (intuitive, thoughtful, and subjective) and  our left brain (logical, analytical, and objective) together. She suggests that using randomly made folded ink spots, blown ink, and poured ink, we can train ourselves to analyze and see creatively.  Margaret recommends that a person make many ink spots, look at them, and draw what you see.
The process is not as easy as I thought. I need to practice.  I, also, used too much ink to begin with - I think slightly diluted ink would work better for me. Here's the first one:

India ink blot, March 2014

Strathmore sketch paper, Prismacolor colored pencil,  6" x 9"

.....and another:

Blown colored ink blot, March 2014

Strathmore sketch paper, Prismacolor colored pencil, 7 1/2" x 8"

Margaret tells about "the master of blown-ink technique", Stefan G. Bucher, and I love his creatures in the book 100 Days of Monsters which I will be reading.  Going to check out 344 Questions, too. His website is Daily Monster.  

Let's see if I can stre-e-e-e-e-t-c-h my imagination........

Wool Christmas Tree

Christmas Tree, March 2014

Wool, cloth coated floral wire, floral tape, 1/4" dowel, wood block, 16"

The trees branches are made of floral wire wrapped with strips of wool.  The wool strips are 1 1/4" wide with 1" fringe cut into them.  The branches are attached to the dowel with floral tape and the dowel is mounted in a painted block of wood.  The base is decorated with inchies painted on mat board and inchie ornaments hang from the branches.

Inchie Mat

Inchie Mat, March 2014

Wool strips on linen, 14" x 14"

This mat design was created with worms from my stash on a one inch grid.  

New Rug

This is the color plan for a new 2' x 3' abstract rug ( haven't named it yet).  Very bright! We'll see how it goes.........

Use What's Available

Lighthouse, March 2014

Stamped image on acrylic paper, 4 1/4" x 4 1/4"

Sometimes I like to use what's available to make a piece. This scene is made with a stamp called "Lighthouse" (#80158) by Stamps Happen, Inc.. I added the color with Prismacolor water color pencils, cut the picture into 1 inch squares, used Distress Stain (Vintage Photo) on the edges, and mounted it on 2 pieces of cardstock. It's a simple way to make an illustration to use on a card, for example. Not as nice as an original work, but fun. Having fun is important. I think we miss some of the fun if we are very strict with our art. I'm thankful for each day I get to wake up and enjoy the day.

Leaf Mosaic, March 2014

Cotton fabric, 9" x 12"

This piece, too, is made by using what's available. The leaf design is from Laundry Basket Quilts (Silhouettes).  It's a laser cut, fusible shape for appliqué (6 batik leaves of various sizes in the envelope). I ironed the leaf to a piece of batik, cut it into 1 inch squares (what else...?) and appliquéd the piece to a brown cotton fabric with my sewing machine. I added buttons from "the jars".  The piece is backed with the same gold toned batik cotton.

Bird Puzzle Appliqué

Bird Puzzle, March 2014

Wool appliqué on muslin, backed and edged with cotton fabric, 13" x 15"

This pattern is by Karen Fahel and appeared in Felt and Wool for All Seasons from Better Homes and Gardens. Each square is 1" x 1" felted wool and is attached to a piece of muslin with a blanket stitch in 2 strands of Weeks Dye Works floss in charcoal color. The colors were gathered from my stash. The backing is a piece of cotton fabric cut 4 inches wider and longer than the appliqué and folded to the front for a self binding.  The eye is a button from "the jars".