2010 #5, Hover; hand-dyed wool on linen, with duct tape binding; 13 x 11 inches.I've completed another batch of hooked "sketches" (to see the first four, go to this post). I find that it's perfect to work on these in between the larger hooked rug projects, while I'm getting the new dyed wool ready. With these, after getting a critique on my masking tape binding method from a friend, I tried putting wide duct tape on the back of the work, then cutting through it; this left a tight clean edge, which I like a lot better. It's still irregular, but that's the nature of the material.
2010 #6, Seesaw; hand-dyed wool on linen with duct tape binding; 13 1/4 x 11 1/4 inches.
The first two pieces I did worked with the same idea of using lines of hooked wool to make the composition. In Hover, a thin half moon shape is caught in an open rectangle; Seesaw has two squares pushing up and down along a line.
2010 #7, The Snails (Thinking of Matisse); egg tempera and hand-dyed wool on linen with duct tape binding; 14 1/2 x 10 inches.
Then I did something new: after getting suggestions to try coloring the linen backing from a couple of readers, I did just that, painted a shape using my usual egg tempera and then hooked the wool on top of it. I like the interplay between paint and wool, and the flexibility in composing that using the paint adds to the process. It's got me jumping a bit up and down with fun in doodling ideas for this format. I also like the quickness of it. And its funkiness; the offhandedness makes my not-very-formal hooked rugs look very formal. I've been photographing these with a side raking light, lighting up the wool, but also the imperfections, which adds to their casual appearance.
2010 #8, Primary Color Composition; egg tempera and hand-dyed wool on linen with duct tape binding; 14 x 12 1/4 inches.
I hung the four new sketches in the studio among some paintings. I think the two different mediums have an interesting relationship; it's not far-fetched that the same artist made both, is it?
not at all far fetched - but a nice extended development. these hybrids are exciting, esp snails, & I like the way you solved the edges - they look thinner on the wall, more like what they are without pretension. it is startling though to see how tiny the parchments are. I suspect there is no way to actually appreciate how all these work off each other, other than by seeing them in person.
ReplyDeletethanks, rappel, I'm really glad you like these. I sure wish all my readers could make a studio visit, to see these all in person; actual physical presence makes a big difference.
ReplyDeleteFrom the Great Lakes, these look great! I too especially like The Snails. The tension between paint and hooked wool in that and Primary Color is very engaging. Oddly, I think Primary Color can stand on its own, while the other three play off each other to make a balaced composition. Snails is even more amusing with the reference to Matisse.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much, Julie.
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