©Rug hooking came to me when I was looking for another way to express my creative energy and to relieve stress.
On my first trip to
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. With the help of this tiny book, I was able to figure out the basic techniques and I started my first project.
That was in 2003, I haven't stopped since.
Using the same basic techniques as the earlier rug makers, my rugs come to life. While many artists still use fabric from old clothing, frames and rug hooks, I prefer using high quality new woolen cloth, hook without a frame and still us the old latch hook my mother in law gave me. I am self taught and grew up making due with what you had in hand. My view on rug hooking has not changed through the years and my rugs reflect this achievement. I approach every rug hooking project with the idea of creating a painting.
After the image has been colored with water color paint in my sketch book, I decide on the finished size, then start over dying my wool using pastel colors that will give my wool and under painted look. Most of the wool used in my rugs are hand cut and can vary in widths depending what effects needed.
When teaching, I teach students to use a proper rug hook and frame but also show them my techniques because I believe that it helps provide them with possibilities. I want them to find their own style, their own inspirations and hook in a way that is comfortable for them. I enjoy students who like to experiment, who like to take chances and decide for themselves what rules to keep and what rules to put aside. I have met many people through the years that are so consumed by rules that they are crippled by them, and struggle with their creativity. I explain to them certain rules are meant to be broken, and that when dealing with creativity, to go with their gut feeling. I encourage them to visit museums, or leaf through books on art at their local library. This helps them understand the possibilities there are in art. There are no mistakes, only happy accidents.
