Categories
international membership rug hooking rug hooking Rug Hooking Styles

Portraits gather in Gallery

"Portrait", Val Flannigan, British Columbia, Canada; wool fabric, photo of self
“Portrait”, Val Flannigan, British Columbia, Canada; wool fabric, photo of self

TIGHR members’ work were reviewed to create the new gallery theme PORTRAITS at TIGHR.net/gallery   Countries represented include Australia, Canada, Spain, the United Kingdom and United States. Juror Lori LaBerge describes the process in her statement:

“The jurying process can be an intimidating one. The reason I enjoyed jurying the TIGHR Gallery page is that it was a different procedure than usual. Whereas artists usually apply to have their work juried and shown, this procedure was based on my looking at all art photos on the TIGHR site. The process did away with artists having to worry about entry procedures, professional photo costs, jurying fees, and possible letters of refusal, yet allows their work to be part of the jurying process.

In choosing work for “The Portrait” I looked at skill, composition, creativity and how the artist communicated a sense of emotion for the viewer to experience. A further goal was to include a variety of work. I wanted to include artists who portrayed the portrait both traditionally and in a non-traditional fashion. The reason for this was to show the public the various ways the portrait can be presented as well as inspire artists to think differently about how they could portray the portrait in their own work.

I looked at whether a piece drew my eye to it or not. A clear intention for the creation of the work was taken into consideration. Did the work lead me to think about what the artist was trying to say? In creating a portrait, the eyes are everything. Are they expressing or hiding emotion? Could an abstract piece still convey expression? Could I look into the eyes and feel something?

Thank you to all of the artists who display their work on the TIGHR members site. There is a vast amount of talent within the group. We all learn from each other. TIGHR is a great venue to allow rug hooking artists to interact with and learn from others while introducing rug hooking as art to the public. “

Thank you,
Lori LaBerge

Lori has juried work for entry to gallery sales and shows. She has had her own work juried and chosen by university professors and curators of The Textile Museum, The Racine Art Museum, The American Folk Art Museum, The Turchin Center and the Southeastern Center for Contemporary Art. Her work and process can be viewed at LoriLaBerge.com

Exhibitors (names highlighted, link to websites) Anne Boissinot, Canada; Diane Louise Cox, UK;  Susan L. Feller, USA; Val Flannigan, Canada;  Peg Irish, USA; Diane Learmonth, USA;  Rachelle LeBlanc, Canada; Laura Pierce, USA; Heather Ritchie, UK; Amanda Rosser, Spain; Sunny Runnels, Canada;   Judi Tompkins, Australia; Dianne Warren, Canada; Molly White, Canada;

Categories
Members in News

Members write for Rug Hooking Magazine

The November/December issue of Rug Hooking Magazine includes several articles by TIGHR members.  See excerpts of these along the left sidebar of their home page www.RugHookingMagazine.com

Ask the Experts…. Shirley I. Bradshaw, Nova Scotia diagrams the elegant finishing technique of a herringbone whipped edge.

Advertisement on page 9 for TIGHR promotes the Triennial, speakers, and joining the organization to “Connect with other rug hookers from around the globe.”

Ebb and Flow design by Jo Franco, photo by Michael Kelly Star Creations
Ebb and Flow design by Jo Franco, photo by Michael Kelly Star Creations

 

Australian Connection… Josephine Franco, West Australia describes the garment designed with 100% recycled materials and hooked by a local group as entry to Common Threads Wearable Competition.  The piece evokes the ‘Ebb and Flow’ of the sea and was selected as a finalist.

Camps and Workshops…. features an article by Susan L. Feller celebrating TIGHR’s 20 year history.

 

Rose Wirtz… written by Linda Rae Coughlin, New Jersey, USA is inspired by nature in her designing and colorings.  She exclusively uses natural materials to create a subtle palette.  Rose was a presenter during the Louisville 2009 Triennial.  Her  description of natural dyes can be found on our private site under Education.

Working it Out… Donna Lees Bleam, Virginia USA writes about finding a four panel Oriental pattern and challenging herself to complete it. Then working with a local carpenter to create a screen.

 

Categories
Members in News rug hooking exhibits Uncategorized

Hooked Art 2014

The Gathering by Rachelle LeBlanc
The Gathering by Rachelle LeBlanc

 The Gallery, UConn, 1 University Place, Stamford, CT will be the site of an exciting collection of fiber art with hooking as one of many techniques.  Coordinated by Newtown Hooked Art Shows and curated by Liz Alpert Fay the opening reception is Saturday, October 25, 2014 from 1-4 pm.  Click the link for The Gallery  to find directions and hours.  If unable to attend and meet the artists who will speak about their process, the show is up through November 29, 2014.

The following 18 artists contributed fifty-five pieces- (TIGHR members are in GREEN with sites hot linked)

Liz Alpert Fay, CT LizAlpertFay.com Mary Jane Andreozzi, RI MJAndreozzi.com Marilyn Bottjer, NY Molly Colegrove, NY Linda Rae Coughlin, NJ TheArtRugs.com Gail Dufresne, NJ GoatHillDesigns.com Susan L. Feller, Augusta, WV ArtWools.com Leslie Giuliani, CT LeslieGiuliani.com Tracy Jamar, NY TracyJamar.com Beth Kempf, CT HappyRugHooker.com Lori LaBerge, NC LoriLaberge.com Rachelle LeBlanc, AB, Canada RachelleLeBlanc.com Lara Magruder, CA LaraMagruder.com June M. Myles, Elkins, WV Constance D. Old, CT ConstanceOld.com Alice Rudell, NY Michelle Sirois-Silver, BC, Canada MichelleSirois-Silver.com Missy Stevens, CT MissyStevens.com

Here is a preview of the show from our TIGHR participants.

Categories
Rug Hooking Styles

Plein Air Rug Hooking!

We all know the time involved in pulling loops, using different colors and creating hooked artwork.  Imagine working outside capturing changing light effects as artists in other media can more quickly and you have experienced being a PLEIN AIR HOOKING ARTIST.

Lori LaBerge reported in Hooking Matters Vol 20 Issue 3 :

“Sitting on the deck hooking one day, I grabbed my frame and wool and walked out into the local field.  If painters can work plein air (in the open air), why couldn’t rug hookers hook on location.  This entails no use of photographs for reference.  One hooks what one is viewing. 

'Along the Path', Lori LaBerge 2013
‘Along the Path’, Lori LaBerge 2013

  I had such a wonderful time, I decided to create a website, Plein Air Hooking Artists, that will display the work of rug hookers working en plein air and promote rug hooking as art.  Members work on their own and send photos of their work for me to place on the site. Please join us by contacting me through the site under Join Us.  Membership will be ongoing for those serious about their work and who will regularly contribute to the visual experience.”

Categories
international membership rug hooking rug hooking exhibits

Beyond Rugs! Farnsworth Museum

The Farnsworth Museum, Rockland, Maine, USA has opened their second exhibition  focusing on the traditional techniques used in making rugs.  The approach in Beyond Rugs! was to introduce the contemporary direction this craftform is being lead. 

Log onto http://www.FarnsworthMuseum.orgclick Beyond Rugs! for details and to view an online catalog.  Several TIGHR members are included in the collection.

Liz Alpert Fay, of Conneticut delivered a talk and slide presentation featuring international fiber artists active today who are incorporating the traditonal techniques with uncommon materials and innovative designs.  RUGS ARE NOT JUST FOR THE FLOOR.

 

Categories
international membership rug hooking rug hooking

Celebrations to Members

Celebrations an annual worldwide juried publication of rughooking works is published by Stackpole Books, Rug Hooking Magazine.  The 2011 edition includes three TIGHR members’ works.  Entries will be accepted through November 30 for the next juried session. Visit www.rughookingmagazine.com for details

Mighty Moose, Fritz Mitnick, PA USA
 
 

Island Sunrise, Sara Judith, BC CANADA
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
Mountain Treeline by Susan Feller, WV USA