RUG HOOKING ON THE ROAD

Since I am not in the studio for at least three weeks, hooking projects have proven to be a challenge. Most will get started in Vermont, but not be completed until I am back home with all supplies available.

"Ice Ahead"  abstract in progress,  9" X 13", Lori LaBerge  2014

The hooking aspect of "Ice Roads" was finished this week.  I still need to add the metal parts.  As I did not have the correct color chain with me while traveling, I will wait to add it to the piece when I arrive back at the studio.  

The piece came out much softer than the original design plan.  While on the road, I will need to work with the colors I have with me.  The blues available were not as bright as planned and the purple not as red.  The softness of the piece adds more to the cooler feel, which works well to abstractly depict ice and winter, so the piece is working out well so far.  The chain, when added, will bring more attention to the purple section.

There are advantages and disadvantages to working away from the studio with limited materials at hand.

Some tips while on the road:

--Plan out designs ahead of time if possible.

--Try to decide on some color schemes beforehand.  You may not have the exact colors you need, but this can often lead to new ideas while hooking. 

Plenty of grey wool packed for my Road Series designs, some metal parts, yarn and cording.  Unfortunately, I have no access to a sewing machine, so I will only be able to finish off the piece that was pre-sewn when we left. 

--You may be forced to make decisions you would not have had to make in the studio.  Be flexible.  

--Don't forget necessities such as scissors, hook, frame or hoop, wool, linen, and cutter.

--Use the sites around you on your trip for ideas if you did not plan ahead.  This is a great time to work on ideas for new designs.

"Bridging the Gap"  designed on the road,  10" X 28",  Lori LaBerge  2014

The piece above came about as I viewed the many bridges along our trip north.  It gave me the idea to combine two works with a "bridge" between them.  The bridge will be made up of two metal bars.  The whole construction has not been worked out yet, but the main idea is there.

--My computer goes everywhere with me.  If yours is available, go through your digital photo albums for ideas.  Use Photoshop to design.  Cropping is one of my favorite features as it allows one to focus on certain aspects of a photo for design purposes.

--This is also a good time for finishing work.  I tend to hook about four or five pieces before starting finishes.  If you stitch around edges before leaving home, whipping edges becomes a perfect activity while on the road.

--As I am a caregiver during my time in Vermont, I cannot leave the house easily.  If you are vacationing, however, think about stopping by art venues, enjoying public art or practicing your drawing skills by doing some sketches of places you are visiting. 

Though I am most interested in creating art, there are many other aspects of life which lead to ideas for my artwork.  Take a break from the studio, hit the road and have a great day.

NEW MIXED-MEDIA FIBER AND METAL DESIGNS FOR "ROAD SERIES"

I received confirmation of booth space being reserved at the Carolina Designer Craftsmen show in Raleigh, NC.  The show will be held over Thanksgiving weekend. Since I have been making quite a few larger pieces lately, I will need to focus on some in the $100-$300 range in order to have a variety of pricing options available. I will be on the road the next three weeks, so this is the perfect time to work on some smaller pieces.

Designs drawn on linen and ready to be packed up for the trip.

Below is the design process of the three pieces worked out this week.  These are roughed out designs and I may make some changes during the hooking process.

Design for "Parallel Roads"  9" X 13"  Lori LaBerge  2014

Here you can see how many erasure marks were made while working out the placement of lines.  Usually I start out placing the lines then look at the various shapes they create.  Often, changes are needed to eliminate odd shapes or lines that are too close together. 

Color planning for "Parallel Roads"  9 X 13  Lori LaBerge  2014

In the first sketch the parallel areas were the same width. I made the decision to vary the widths for a more interesting piece.  I will be placing fishing weights on the color sections and the gray marks within them gives me an idea of how they will look.  I'm debating on placing a larger weight hanging down about an inch away from the top right hand side as this design still feels like it needs something.  Also, the pink section may be too close to the center of the work.  I'll continue working on this and see where it takes me.

Design for "Tunnels"  9" X 13"  Lori LaBerge  2014

When searching through a box of metal pieces, I found some cylinder shaped lamp parts which gave me the idea of tunnels.  A chain will be placed through the two cylinders and left to hang down the ends of each.

   Color planning for "Tunnels"  9" X 13"  Lori LaBerge  2014

The local Blue Ridge Parkway is surrounded by the beautiful greenery of the wooded areas on the roadside which led me to use the color green.  There are a multitude of both short and long tunnels to drive through along the Parkway so I will use one short and one long cylinder in the piece.

  Design for "Ice Ahead"  9" X 13"  Lori LaBerge  2014

Though we are in the Summer season, I've been thinking of using turquoise or light blues in a piece.  This led to the thought of icy roads.

Design with color planning for "Ice Ahead"  9" x 13"  Lori LaBerge  2014

This color plan has the cold feel I was going for.  The purple will add a tad of warmth to offset the coolness.  A chain will hang down the center of the purple section to represent tire chains.  When I drew this out on linen, I narrowed the blue line directly to the right of the purple section slightly and moved it closer to the purple in order to create variance in the parallel lines.

While working on both large and small works for this series I have found it interesting to see how size affects the design process.  Look at works of your own or on the web and see how a composition would have to change if made larger or smaller and have a great day.

PROGRESSION ON ABSTRACT, ADJUSTING OR CHANGING ARTWORK

Untitled abstract in progress,  Lori LaBerge 2014

I've been working on the background of the piece this week.  Since it is made up of various blues with navy, turquoise and pure blue, I have been placing variations of each to add more interest rather than leaving each section solid.  Work will continue this coming week.

If any of you have been reading the blog regularly you may have spotted some differences in works that were previously thought to be completed.  I have never hesitated to look at a piece and change it if I feel the change could better the work.  

Just a note here to let you know to never change a work that has been accepted to a show or had a photograph of it sent to apply to a show.  When applying, the photo you send must accurately reflect the work.

"Coastal Route" before adjustments,  Lori LaBerge 2014

I had used clear thread to attach the washers in "Coastal Route".  The more I looked at it, the more it bothered me, as if it needed something more. 

 "Coastal Route" after adjustments, Lori LaBerge 2014

I removed the clear thread and replaced it with dark gray yarn.  This added more contrast and color and to me just looked better overall.  The washers now blend in with the design of the piece adding to it rather than just laying on top of the hooked work.

"Road Movie"  before adjustments,  Lori LaBerge  2014

Another piece that was changed a little more drastically is "Road Movie".  Again, I had used clear thread.  The piece looked a little too static for me.  I wanted the washers to better portray movie reels as they were moving.

"Road Movie" after adjustments, Lori LaBerge 2014

I removed all the washers.  The smaller washers were then staggered on various areas of the larger washers to portray movement.  Dark gray yarn was used to attach the washers to the hooked work.  A small screw nut was stitched onto the lower right so the metal would not overwhelm and make the left side seem heavy.

Before changing anything decide why you want to change it and if it really needs changes. Plan out the changes. Decide what types of changes could make the piece better.  Does something need to be added or would it look better if something were removed?  Older pieces can sometimes be revived and given new life when reworked.  Could you possibly use an older piece as part of a new work?  There are infinite possibilities.

Embrace experiencing change and have a great day.

MIXED-MEDIA IN PROGRESS, READING ART HISTORY, FOLK ART CENTER

It was a short week with paperwork done on Monday and taking Friday off for the 4th.  I hope everyone had a good weekend.  

As yet untitled work in progress,  Lori LaBerge, 7 1/2" X  41 1/2", 2014

I used photos and sketches (information on last week's post) to come up with the basic design.  The photo of the Coats American Inc. building  and sketches were abstracted. Though the hooking is one long piece, I divided the design into two sections with each being a different section of the building.  Some of the detailed work was hooked in this week.  Lots of bright colors in this one!

You can see each end has a fold mark.  The ends will be wrapped around old wooden bobbin spools to create a horizontal scroll effect for presentation of the work.  This means allowing at least 6 extra inches on each end for wrapping.  These areas will still need to be hooked as they will show, so I will just carry the design out on each end.

With some time off for the holiday, I decided to review past study on Modern Art History.  

History of Modern Art by H.H. Arnason, the link is to the updated version.

Searching through the bookshelves, I found my college textbook to be in pretty good shape. I can't believe I used to lug that around in a backpack along with other texts. It's quite heavy. The Modern art period runs from the 1860's to the 1970's.  Some books state the Modern period started as early as 1784.  Work after the Modern period is considered Contemporary.

Since Impressionism is at the start of the Modern period, I have decided to brush up on my French.  I have forgotten pretty much all but the basics from my college days and have decided to focus on reading french for art purposes and forgo the speaking aspect.  My plan is to read some French art magazines and I really have no one to actually speak French with.

  French for Reading by Karl C. Sandberg was recommended to me and should arrive Tuesday.  It will be interesting to see how much I remember.

Since I haven't studied extensively on Expressionism and Germany was at the forefront of this movement, I am also planning on studying the German language. My husband lived in Germany for a 9-month period a while back, so maybe he can help me out with this. 

Reading Knowledge in German for Art Historians and Archaeologists by Mary L. and H.P. Apelt.  This is an expensive book so I am still looking around for the best price.

My husband and I took a ride along the Blue Ridge Parkway this weekend and stopped to look around the Southern Highlands Folk Art Center.

There was quite a bit of textile art on display, but unfortunately, they did not allow photos inside the building.  Quilting and weaving were well-covered and it was interesting to see the different approach in style each artist took.  One artist focused on the Morse Code system and developed it in her weaving which I found fascinating.  Dyeing technique was the focus of another artist's work.  I do wish more of these artists had websites.  I see artwork when I am out and about and may not purchase at that time.  I very often go home to look up artists' work and am so often disappointed that they have no site.  

       

If you are ever traveling along the Blue Ridge, the Folk Art Center is well worth the stop.

Art leads me to so many places:  studying languages and history, stopping by new galleries and art centers and exploring new areas for inspiration.  Find where it leads you and have a great day.

RUG HOOKING FINISHED ON "CITY CROSSING", PLANS FOR A MIXED-MEDIA PIECE

 

"City Crossing"  29 X 30  Lori LaBerge  2014

Everything worked out this week and the hooking on "City Crossing" was completed. When I finish a piece I always measure it to make sure it is even on all sides. Textiles don't always lend themselves to a perfect shape as they shift and stretch during the work process.  The piece was planned to be a 30 X 30 but ended up at 29 X 30.  Since it did not have to be a particular measurement, this was not an issue. 

Above, you can see how the measuring tape was placed on the diagonal.  This measurement was taken on the opposite side also.  The measurements both left and right and up and down were also taken.  There was a slight problem with the bottom left corner bulging slightly making it between 1/8 and 1/4 inch off.  

I took the 8-cut out of the second row up toward the edge and replaced it with a 6-cut.  You can see how this row looks slightly smaller than the final row.  This solved the problem and the piece is now squared up.  Things are never perfect, but when I find the work is 1/4" or more off, making the piece deviate from its intended shape, I usually correct it.  Now it is ready for finishing work.  I'm still deciding on the color of yarns I will used for the whipped edge.

My husband and I took a ride into Asheville last Saturday and we stopped at The Antique Tobacco Barn, which has been named the best antique store in Western North Carolina.  I could spend days looking through all of the items they have. Multiple ideas struck me as I walked through aisles filled with things from days' past. I now have an idea for a mixed-media piece and below are items I will be using to develop it.

 

 Could not resist these old bobbin spools, which led to the idea for the planned piece.  These have always appealed to me and I had trouble choosing from the colors they had available.  I will be using the brown ones for the project.  They have touches of purple, yellow and turquoise on them.  I'm not sure if the pink ones on the right, smaller and more solid, are also called bobbin spools or not.  If any of you are aware of what they are, please let me know.

I want the spools to relate to the textile aspect of the piece, so I went and took photos of the local Coats American Inc. thread company building nearby. 

Here is another section of the building. I will use the photos with Photoshop along with sketches I'll be making to create the hooked section of the project.

I found these wooden thread spools on Etsy and they are now on their way to the studio.  Seven of them have Coats and Clark written on their label which will fit perfect with the idea of using the Coats factory photos to design the work.

I grabbed some fabrics from the shelf and came up with these as a general idea of the colors for the project.  As with every mixed-media project, there will be some experimenting involved in fitting everything together correctly.  It can sometimes be difficult to get from the idea to the finished piece, so next week's development of the work will be interesting.  For now, I'm going to enjoy the weekend.

Challenge yourself by looking for interesting items to inspire you, use them to aid in creating new ideas for your work and have a great day.

PROGRESS ON RUG HOOKED ABSTRACT, TIME FOR PLEIN AIR

"City Crossing" in progress,  30 X 30  Lori LaBerge  2014

The work on the latest figurative abstract continued this week.  Music filled the work space as it was a quiet week after the studio tour last weekend.  I added a diagonal section through the middle of the piece where I am hooking blue.  The background is vast and placing a medium blue in the diagonal section with a mix of a light medium and light blue above, though subtle, will break it up a bit.

Above is a comparison of last week's and this week's progress.  I put this up so people can see how colors affect each other.  There have been many times I have seen rug hookers tear out a color they don't think is working.  This can affect beginners who are still learning color theory.  Often, this is because they are looking at it against the backing fabric of linen or monk's cloth.  The color of linen is quite often not very attractive against colors one may be working with.

The photo of last week's progress is quite boring.  The dull red violet against the light beige of the linen is anything but exciting.  This week's progress brings a truer violet next to the red violet for a rich analogous mix.  Adding again to the analogous scheme is the violet blue started on the right.  Across from this group of colors on the color wheel is yellow.  I did not want a true yellow for the figure.  I opted for a yellow-green for something just a little bit off. The piece should be completed this coming week if all goes well.

Since the weather cooperated this week, I took some time to head outside and work on a plein air piece.  The hay was quite thick and looked like waves rolling through the field when the wind blew.  The day I headed out there was a clear afternoon with only an occasional mild wind.  We have a red gate in a corner of the front field that I love against the green grass.

"The Positively Red Gate"  7 X 7 Lori LaBerge  2014

I'm still having fun with the plein air work as it is freer than the planning which goes into studio pieces.  It is a nice break and gives me time to enjoy the mountain air and my surroundings. The shadows on the fence took on a blue tone and the glint of sun on the top of fence and gate produced a glare that I used white wool to portray.  I spent two days on this piece and it was a good thing I made progress on the first day as the second day the field looked like this:

No more long grass as the local farmer came to cut the hay.  I hooked the rest of the grass in the piece from memory, though I still sat outside enjoying the smell of the hay.  Yes, hay fever medication had to be taken that morning.  If you are interested in joining the Plein Air Hooking Artists, please check out our site here.

Try different color plans, follow the color wheel or throw in something unexpected and have a great day.

CONTEMPORARY ABSTRACT CITYSCAPE STARTED, CITY INSPIRATION FOR DESIGN

"City Crossing" in progress  30 x 30  Lori LaBerge  2014

Cities have always fascinated me.  As a child,  my parents took me to Montreal quite often.  I would gaze up at the tall buildings and maneuver my way through all the people on the busy sidewalks.  It seemed as if I would wait forever to cross the street as I wasn't as daring as the locals in ignoring the crossing signs, and that thought is part of which led to the design of "City Crossing".

I often look through sketchbooks and photos when deciding on a design and "City Crossing" was developed from the reflection in the photo below:

  

There is so much inspiration in the city:

 There are so many patterns in the city.  In this photo I like the square patterns in the lower center with the few circular roofing shapes around them.  The roof of the building on the left is reminiscent of Alber's Homage to the square.  The odd shape of the building on the right reminds me of a kilim type motif.  A multitude of design ideas could come from this one photo.

  

 Row houses make for an interesting pattern with various window configurations, facades and different patterns created by air vents and other roofing items.  The roof line on the further buildings has a wave type feel to it.  How about a shaped piece of art?  A work with various depth levels mimicking the row houses?  

 How about a different perspective?  There are so many angles when you look up at all the tall buildings.  This could lead to ideas about differing perspective on other subjects you may be using for designs.

 The top of this building has a pagoda type feel to it.  How about mixing different styles in one piece of art?  

 I liked the horizontal and vertical on this building.  You could use a variety of directions in one piece or do a directional series of work.  And how about the moss and vines on the side of the building that look like they are dripping.  I've been contemplating throwing paint on a piece and letting it drip down the wool.  Maybe a little Pollock?

 While visiting Charleston, I spotted these beautiful rose windows.  I already have an abstract architectural design in the sketchbook based on this photo.  I like the depth of the windows along with the flower-like shape in the glass.  A repetitive piece on circles could be an option with this, also.

  

 Another photo that is in the sketchbook as an abstract stairway.  I love the curve of the stairs.  There is also another rose window with a moulding around it that could lead to some interesting options for design.

Old dilapidated buildings are some of my favorites.  I really like going inside these when I can.  This one has large rectangular blocks of design.  I like the patches and cracks which tends to give each block a look of having columns, similar to a newspaper.  The graffiti also lends itself to possibilities.  If you don't care for letters, perhaps you could use rounded chunky shapes outlined in black as part of a design.

Design possibilities are everywhere.  Look around, think of things you see with design in mind and have a great day.