I created this rug from a photo I took in Cadouin, France. Cadouin is a fascinating medieval village of the 11th century.
I hooked the design in the trompe l’oeil style to create a three dimensional scene with depth and dimension.
Cadouin, France is a charming medieval village of the 12th century. It is famous for its abbey which is listed as a World Heritage site by UNESCO. The abbey was a major pilgrim destination in the Middle Ages. I created a rug pattern of a photo I took of one of the gothic gates leading into the village center.
To achieve a realistic, three dimensional appearance and create dimension, I hooked the facade of the building to look like it has actual cobblestones. I hooked an intricate log cabin type of pattern to create individual stones, ensuring the correct values were used to give the impression of sunlight hitting the building.
I paid close attention to my use of values and their placement in the design. I used lighter values in the forefront of the design to bring the image closer to the eye. Rich dark chocolate velveteen fabric was hooked into the underside of the arch to create depth. Black velveteen was hooked into the underside of the edge of the roof for dimension. A medium gray, textured wool was hooked under the arch to simulate shadow created by the arch.
Light to medium values were used in the courtyard in the center of the design to give the impression of sunlight making its way from above, into that area, past the arch.
A neutral value was hooked into the sky for a peaceful place for the eye to rest.,
About the Artist:
I started rug hooking around the 1980’s. I began hooking with yarn and preprinted designs. I was inspired one year to explore many other alternatives after visiting one of the Green Mountain guild’s rug shows. I transitioned into using fabrics and creating my own designs.
I have always been an avid supporter of upcycling used materials. My pen name is “wooley incarnations”. I give new life to used “ingredients”. I enjoy transforming things into aesthetically pleasing pieces of art.
I like to create unique designs that are fun and interesting. My design styles range from elegant to abstract to three dimensional to understated and whimsical. I always look for new shapes and textures to create something unique.
I conduct fibre art presentations and teach classes for hooked purses and footstools and specialty tuffets. I also sell hooked rug and art quilting patterns.
I incorporate wool and alternative fabrics and embellishments into my designs. I use a wide variety of mixed medium–woolen fabrics, velvetine, non-woolen glitz fabrics, specialty yarns, beads, feathers, roving, etc.
Several techniques are applied to my designs for texture and dimension–trompe l’oeil, waldoboro, proddy, shirring, stitchery, beading, pixelating, braiding, etc.