Rachelle LeBlanc
Artist Statement
Rug hooking came to me when I was looking for another way to express my creative energy
On my first trip to Shelburne Museum, Vermont I fell in love with the hand hooked rugs in the rug gallery. I knew this art form was for me.
Intrigued, I set out to find more on the subject of rug hooking. After searching for hours in our local library, I found a small book that was published in the 1960's. I don't remember the title, but it talked about the traditions of rug hooking on L'Ile de L'Orleans, near Quebec City. With the help of this tiny book, I was able to figure out the basic techniques and I started my first project.
That was three years ago, I haven't stopped since.
Using the same basic techniques as the earlier rug makers, my rugs come to life. Hand hooking is a very slow process. The image is created by thousands of loops created with woolen fabric, cut into strips then hooked onto a burlap backing.
While many artists still use fabric from old clothing, I prefer using high quality new woolen cloth. I plan out my rugs, once the sketch is complete with colors, I hand dye all the fabric needed for the project. The strips are either torn or hand cut into 1/4" wide then hooked onto the chosen backing.
There are many challenges that come with this art form but I enjoy working around them to create a final product that is both beautiful and durable.
I have been fortunate to be self taught. This allows me the freedom from someone else's rules, gravitating away from the more primitive images to a more painting with wool approach. The art of rug hooking has become my medium of choice.
Artistic History
SELECTED EXHIBITIONS:
2008 - Focus on Fibre Art Biennial Competition:
2008 - Hooked Rugs : Musee des Maitres et Artisans du Quebec, Montreal, Canada.
2007 – Pushing the Limits: New concepts in Rug Hooking : Newtown Rug Hooking Show, Newtown, Connecticut, Juried Show
2006 - 2007 – Hooked in the Mountains Show : Green Mountain Rug Hooking Guild, Shelburne, Vermont.
2006 - 2007 – Hooked Rugs : Solo Exhibitions at the Saint Julie Public Gallery, Ste-Julie, Quebec.
2006 - 2007 – Saint Henri Hooked Rugs : Saint Henri annual group exhibition, Montreal, Canada.
2006 – Hooked Rugs : Solo exhibition at the Musee de Kent , Bouctouche, New-Brunswick.
2005 – Hooked Rugs , Hooked Christmas Stockings : Solo exhibition Saint Julie Public Library, Ste-Julie, Quebec.
COLLECTIONS:
Musee de Kent, Bouctouche, New-Brunswck, Canada.
Numerous private collections across Canada, United States and France.
AWARDS:
2007 – 1rst place: Jurors choice Pushing the Limits: New concepts in Rug Hooking : Newtown Rug Hooking Show, Newtown, Connecticut
BIBLIOGRAPHY/BOOKS:
2008 -Exhibition Catalogue- Hooked Rugs : Musee des Maitres et Artisans du Quebec, Montreal, Canada.
2006 – Hooked Rugs Today: Strong Women, Flowers, Animals, Children, Christmas, and Miniatures , by Amy Oxford
2006 - Hooked Rugs Today 2006: Holidays, Geometrics, People, Animals, Landscapes, Accessories, and More , by Amy Oxford
BIBLIOGRAPHY/ PERIODICALS:
2005-2006 - Saint Henri Rug Hookers Newsletter
2006 – L'Etoile de Kent , published in the Times and Transcript Newspaper in Moncton New-Brunswick, article written by Isabelle Hebert (see article page)
2006 – Les Idees de ma Maison , December issue (French Canadian Decorating Magazine)
2006 – Article by
Suzanne Conrod,
Founder Hooked Rug Museum of North
America
MEDIA:
2006- TVA Television, VIA TVA , hosted by Francine Hebert
MEMBERSHIPS:
- Saint Henri Rug Hookers
- Green Mountain Rug Hooking Guild
-
- Edmonton Rug Hooking Guild
Rachelle LeBlanc
Hooked Rug Studio
St Albert, Alberta
Canada
780-651-8819
Email at:
PLEASE RESPECT COPYRIGHT
