ABSTRACT TEXTILE WORK IN STUDIO, ART COMPOSITION PROCESS

 "U-Turn",  19" X 29"   Lori LaBerge  2015

"U-Turn" is basically completed, though it still needs tacking on the backside and a hanging device needs to be attached.  Metal tubes were stitched into place down the center.  I enjoyed working with a different shape in this piece.

Studio work this week also focused on a new composition idea.  There is a lot of talk about inspiration and I truly believe that inspiration is work.  I never find myself sitting around waiting for inspiration to suddenly occur.  

Composition ideas for "Fault Line"

Above is a sketchbook page from this week.  The first idea is in the upper left corner and came from interest in learning there are fault lines that cross in the Linville Falls area of the Blue Ridge Parkway.  When completed, this piece will become part of the Parkway series.

The sketches note where light and dark values will be placed.  The straight line going across and beyond the artwork will be a metal bar attached with screws.  The placement of lines on the first sketch bothered me along with the plain rectangular shape.  The point here is to start with something and go from there.

Experimenting with the placement of lines and going back and forth from making the middle shape either rectangular or with more of a diagonal edge cut by a line going through the work led to a new idea.  The middle shape being broken seemed to call for another section to be added to its right.

While the second sketch down on the left used this idea, the straight edge on the shorter section of the broken rectangle bothered me as it did not denote the broken feel I wanted. The placement of lines, however, did work for me.

The composition decided on is the one furthest to the right in the sketchbook.  One line cuts down the piece and breaks the rectangle into two sections and the lines work well without being distracting.

Will the final work match the drawing?  I never know this until the work is done.

Have some fun working on design ideas, think about why some ideas appear to work while others don't and have a great day.

INTERNATIONAL TAPESTRY PROJECT AND VIEWS FROM THE ROAD

I recently participated in the" International Tapestry Project: Fate, Destiny and Self-Determination".  This collaborative project is headed by Line Dufour, a tapestry weaver residing in Canada.  The project has three sections.  Line herself will be weaving a tapestry, a tapestry will be worked on by various individuals, and various shapes will be woven by individuals to be put into a larger installation piece.  

The project brings together a variety of fiber artists who will contribute to the installation work.  What a wonderful way to bring people together.  Below is the shape I worked on.

Created for Fate, Destiny and Self-Determination Tapestry Project,  Lori LaBerge  2013

The instructions for this piece were to work only in pure hues from the color wheel. There were also measurements included.  There is a Facebook page here where you can see other creations for this project.    

Once again, my husband and I are headed up to Vermont for a couple of weeks.   I am notorious for taking roadside photos everywhere we travel, even on local trips. There are always some memorable sights.

Humpty Dumpty was spotted in Colchester, Vermont.  It was created by my husband's cousin, Ann LaBerge.  She is an amazing artist working in a variety of materials.  We had a wonderful time talking about art when she visited us in North Carolina and I am hoping to have time to stop by and see her Vermont studio.

A dog made of hay bales lounging on the side of a long stretch of road. Such fun!

Further down the road, a companion for the first dog.  He looks a little worried. Perhaps he did something he shouldn't have.

I love architecture and upper section of this old barn has an interesting roof line with a slight outward curve at the bottom edge.

How often do you see a turquoise barn?  Love it and going to hook it soon.

Graffiti on an abandoned building.  Hooked graffiti would be great.

A cow made of moss greets visitors to the Stowe Craft Gallery in Stowe, Vermont.

Creativity is everywhere!  Take a ride, enjoy the sights along the way and have a great day.

KEEPING AN ART JOURNAL FOSTERS CREATIVITY

I have been keeping an art journal and working on related side projects since January. With six months of work in the journal, I decided it was time to start referring back to it.  Flipping through the pages, I stopped at the section where I had written down words referring to roads (the subject of this years series of work). These were some of the words that had been written:

pavement     lines          lanes     curves      intersection     dirt          cobblestone 
shoulders     signs          GPS       scenery    winding          speed     street lights     
city               country       blocks    grids         one-way        route       highway          
rest stop      direction      map       traffic        cars              byways    trip                 
travel           street          exit         tolls          parking          parkway  viaduct           
rural            distance      merge    passage   interstate       urban      dead end
lights           skid marks  circle

Looking through these words led to this design:

as yet untitled, Lori LaBerge  2013

The process:

1.  The words city, country, urban and rural piqued my interest in the above grouping.  The urban city and rural country are opposites, yet I love the aspects of each of them and thought it would be interesting to combine them in one piece.

2.   I looked at photos of roadways:

One of many winding, hilly roads in the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains.  This is a view from Mt. Mitchell.

The streets of Boston viewed from the top of the Prudential building.  Roads form blocks for ease of transportation.

  

It is easy to distinguish the center city block in Edinburgh, Scotland.  The buildings, as in the Boston photo, are situated inside the rectangular road layout.  This photo was taken from Edinburgh Castle, which overlooks the city.

3.  The decision was made to create the city block of the rug hooked piece in rectangular block form.  Since the country and city sections are opposites, I did not want them both flat on the piece.  The city block section will be layered on top of the country road section when it is completed.

4.  The small dot was added as a "you are here" representation, commonly seen on maps.  The larger dots will even this out and the stripes are meant to be larger sections of road.

5.  Color was decided upon using freehand Photoshop Elements:

as yet untitled, color plan, Lori LaBerge  2013

It took me a while to learn, but I truly love Photoshop.  This step could also be done using colored pencils, marker or paints (which I still do quite frequently).  Photoshop allows the convenience of being able to quickly change colors for viewing, while hands-on just has a special feel to it you don't get from a computer.

6.  Wool was dyed or found in studio stash:

7.  Hooking was completed and whipping started on the city block section:

The roads were done in white while there is a faint grid done in light blue in the background as is used for reference on maps.  The rest of the piece will be hooked this coming week.

Rug Hooking Magazine has an article on hooking maps in the June/July/August 2013 issue.

Start a journal, go back to it every once and a while for ideas, design a new piece and have a great day. 

"NIGHT RIDE" RUG HOOKING, ABSTRACT JOURNAL ACTIVITY

"Night Ride"  14 X 14  Lori LaBerge  2013

The hooking on the fourth of the road series, "Night Ride" was completed this week. The work includes both a house key and a car key, ready to take the viewer out for a ride.  I used squares in the background of the piece as they remind me of the grids on maps.  Three values of gray were used for the evening sky's transition from light to dark.  The washer was placed so that it could represent the moon in the night sky.

  

    Close-up of key area

In working on this series I am finding the background areas to be a challenge.  With the predominance of gray, there needs to be care taken in how the variety of grays are placed.  The grays placed near the one color have to vary in value from the color so the color does not disappear.

Earlier this week, I had some people ask about an exercise for thinking abstractly, so this week's journal activity relates to this.

The first step is to create a viewfinder by cutting a piece of cardboard into two "L" shapes as seen below.

This technique works better than a square cutout as the "L" shapes allow you to adjust the size of the viewfinder.

Look through various magazines (I used Interior Design magazine as I love all of the modern products they show) and place the viewfinder in various areas looking for something that has a nice composition. 

I found an advertisement for lighting fixtures and focused on a small section of the photo.  I love the bold curved red stripe outlined in black blazing through the white and gray background.  I also like the width of the stripe in relation to the background.

This was a section of an ad for a fan company.  I am actually tempted to hook this as a runner.  I would love it in a hallway!  However, this is not my design and belongs to the photographer or the company who had it photographed.  I would need to make design changes to make it my own.  Look at the relation of white to green.  Any more white might be a bit overwhelming.  The thick and thin areas of white add interest.

This was part of a photo of a metal table with the image rotated.  I liked the way this angle made the shape of the letter "A".  It would be a great idea to do a series of abstract alphabet letters.

The original picture was of a living room scene.  I really like the red against the black wall.  Notice how two-thirds of the viewfinder image is black and one-third is red. This makes for a nice image.  I also noticed how the middle pillow is on top of the others, leading to the idea of placing one hooked piece on top of others so the hooked work would have dimension.

This exercise is great not only for composition, but for future ideas for works. 

Create a viewfinder, find some old magazines, search out some new ideas and have a great day.

NEW WORK IN ROAD SERIES, TOURING ARTIST STUDIOS AND GALLERIES

The third piece in the road series project was hooked this week.  I normally veer toward yellow-greens, but lately I have been trying to go outside of my normal color use so I chose a piece of wool I had dyed emerald and mint green.  To my surprise I found that Pantone, the authority on color, has made emerald green the color of the year for 2013.  Go here to see Pantone's page and slide show on the color emerald. 

"Time to Go"  14 X 14  Lori LaBerge  2013

"Time to Go"  depicts a main roadway in green and various routes in white.  The background represents u-turns with the thought of coming and going.  A washer was attached to represent a clock while the fishing sinker below represents a pendulum. It seems like it is always time to go somewhere, whether shopping, picking up kids, a long country ride, vacation or other destination.  I definitely see an influence from Josef Albers Homage to the Square series, which I love. 

Yesterday, it was time for me to go to the PAF Gallery and take down my exhibit. Three weeks goes by so fast, it seems I was just there setting it up and teaching a class. My journal activity this week was to check out some of Siler City's artists.

Johnny Glaze, a potter and metal worker with a studio at the Incubator, was at my opening and I really enjoyed discussing ideas with him.

Here are a few of Johnny's works.  I love the texture in the larger piece, it makes you want to touch it.  That small piece on the right is pretty much how I look when I have to get up early in the morning.  Love all the little characters he creates.

Here are some more pieces with great texture.  Look at all the shapes he incorporates into each piece.  Simply wonderful!

Karen Stack, who participated in my beginning rug hooking class, was in her studio working with leather.  You can see and purchase her products at her etsy shop.  

Here is a carved piece of leather on  Karen's worktable.  She showed me all the tools she works with to create her designs.

Karen's custom leather clothing and handbags.  These are absolutely beautiful! The leather has such a soft feel to it.

My next stop was across the street at Person to Person Gallery.  I met Roger when I used to have my studio in Siler City.  He is one of the most talented and creative artists I have met and has a wonderful sense of humor.

Roger created these works from instruments he had been given.  They are alive with personality, looking like they are ready for a good party.

This scene greets you to your left as you enter the gallery.  Great combinations and works that make you stop and look.  Though Roger does not consider himself a painter, I am drawn to quite a few of his paintings.  Love the way he combined the three canvases on the wall piece.  The big head flying the plane is priceless!

Yes, those are mannequin legs holding up that giraffe in his own special chair. Great!

These houses are Roger's current project.  Love the way they tilt creating a sense of whimsy.

As if one gallery is not enough to keep him busy, Roger's second gallery is kitty corner across the street from Person to Person.

At the Wingnut Gallery are more of Roger's paintings.  I have loved that rabbit since the first time I saw it.  I just really like all the colors in these works.  They make me happy!  I may need to save up some more money for my art addiction.

Meet "Rasta Man".  This is an amazing piece.  The animal skull, pipes for arms, and Roger even felted the dreads himself.  Just great use of various objects to create art.

Take some time to explore artists in your area, ask them about their process, savor the joy artists bring to others through their art and have a great day.        

ROAD SERIES #2 COMPLETED, JOURNAL EXERCISE, STUDIO UPDATE

"ROAD SERIES #2 -- SPEED BUMPS"  14 3/4 x 14 1/2  Lori LaBerge  2013

This week led to the completion of "Speed Bumps".  The piece used orange as the contrasting color.  I have been checking my stash for colors to mix with the grays and think the next will be green.  Also would like to try a bright pink.  

For some reason each design seems to tell me which color to use.  I placed multiple colors over the design above after I drew it out on graph paper and the only one that grabbed me was orange, so that was it.  The piece also uses four different grays with two that are highly textural.   

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Close-up,  "Speed Bumps"  Lori LaBerge  2013

I used lamp parts to depict the speed bumps along the roadway.  I still find myself wandering all around our local Lowe's store.  I walked through the plumbing aisle and there are some amazing metal parts there.  Have to go back soon and check them out more closely.  Don't think they will work for the "road series", but will definitely work on other pieces.

Grouping of dyed and as-is gray wool waiting to be hooked.  

This week's journal activity involved trees.  Sitting on the porch, looking at the snow on the branches was so relaxing.  As I looked more closely, I noticed how the branches resembled the roadways in the "road series' work.  

The branches twist, turn, curve, and reach out into the world. Some criss-cross each other as they grow, forcing their way past each other to avoid becoming entangled, while others accept their communion with another branch.  Look closely at the photos above and below and you can see the beauty of it all.

  

Journal page, sketching trees

Although I love taking photos, sketching helps me understand lines and shapes better.  It allows me to work on improving my art.  The physical act of moving pencil across paper demands focus on individual parts as shading is added.  

Grab a pencil and some paper, pick a subject and sketch away!  You do not need to be a pro at drawing and you do not need fancy supplies.  I see myself as more of a graphic artist than a fine artist and I intend to practice my sketching more this year. Experience the lines and shapes you see and have a great day.

Studio Update--

This week we built a stairway to make it easier to carry shingles up to the roof area. Here is Pete at work.  As we get more rows done, we'll be able to work without the ladder.  For now, neither of us works that close to the edge while up on the roof.

 Here is T.C. (Tough Cookie) inspecting the work so far.

Pete also brought home an old shelf he found thinking it would work great to store dyes jars.  I'm hoping to paint it a bright white this coming week.

WORKING IN A SERIES, ART JOURNAL AND STUDIO UPDATE

Untitled work in progress   Lori LaBerge  2013

This week was the start of creating a new series of work. There are numerous reasons for artists to work in a series.  The top reason for those who show their work is that galleries look for cohesive groupings.  It can be confusing if work consists of unrelated pieces.  People should be able to relate to the works and the more they see of similar pieces, the more they are able to understand what the artist's intention is.

Another reason is that it gives the artist a chance for exploration.  How far can you push a certain theme?  Are you learning more about the theme you've chosen? Could the theme be approached in different ways?  The more you study your subject or theme the more you will be able to see it in different ways.  Some artists pursue the same subject for a lifetime.

I used the journal activity this week to start developing the series.  The theme is travel routes and I will also be focusing on using the color gray in a way I have not attempted before.  The metal seen in previous work will continue to be included in these pieces.   

Journal page exploring various designs for travel route theme.  The design on the left is the work in progress at the beginning of this post.

The above photo shows erasures as I went through the design process.  I started out simply drawing pathways through the square shapes and, as things progressed, those lines sometimes changed.  The point of journaling is to explore.  Allow yourself to make errors.  Trying to be perfect will likely lead you nowhere.  

Another journal exploration with the idea of routes, highways and squared off u-turns.

"Timeless Travels"  was the first in this new series.  This and the three designs above will give me a solid start. 

A couple of sources to check for ideas on creating a series of art are:

"Rug Hooking Magazine", March/April/May 2012, article "The Art of the Series".  In this article Carol Koerner and Roslyn Logsdon each created their own series.  Each series was meant to be displayed as one work of art. You can click on the back issue section of the home page to find this older issue.

Lisa Call is an amazing textile artist who has explored series and teaches courses about working in a series.  See work from those who have taken her class here and her latest Postcards from New York series here.

Think about your favorite subjects, explore them in more depth and have a great day.

Studio Update:

Weather is still holding up construction and more rain is due the next 10 days, but we managed to start on the roofing on the back of the building today.