Susan Feller

Tag: fiber artist

  • Stories are Made Loop by Loop Installed

    Stories are Made Loop by Loop Installed

    The rugs, display items, books, and frame with pattern were loaded into my car and driven to Harrisonburg, VA on July 11. I turned them all over to the curating team and learned some tips for installing exhibits. One, add screw eyes to the end of dowel rods so wires are secured when installing. Another, prepare a layout ahead and place painters tape where each item will be placed. Put the tape at top and cut wire(s) the length from moulding to display plus enough to wrap for hanging. Have all tools ready including multiple ladders and a full prep table.

    Screw eyes for wiring
    Mark wall and cut wire to hang
    work laid out on table

    Part of this exhibit includes an interactive area with hooking frame, a design saying WELCOME and fabric strips set up for the public to try their hand. Simple directions are on a poster right next to the frame. By the end of the exhibit the completed rug will become an item to benefit the museum. The curating team was the first to pick up the hook and pull some loops.

    Pattern for public

    For those of you who will not be able to visit the Virginia Quilt Museum during this exhibit here is the digital catalog. The full catalog includes the traveling schedule, more work and artists, the bios and artist statements, links and resources to learn more about contemporary rug hooking.

    QR for Catalog at VQM

    Several of the artists are also authors. Their books are available to peruse in the exhibit and many are for sale in the Museum Shop. You can also purchase a colorful pin.

    Books for sale
    Pins by Meryl Cook
    Pins by Susan Feller

    I can’t say it often enough seeing fiber art in person is such a learning experience. There are several other exhibits at the Virginia Quilt Museum featuring contemporary mixed media, art quilts, heirloom treasures which will open your creative tool box to many new ideas.

    The full traveling schedule and link to catalog can also be found at SusanFeller.com/calendar. We all look forward to comments and the networking opportunity this opens.

    Check out our social media profiles as the artists share stories and their ongoing creative journeys. Cheryl Bollenbach, Meryl Cook, Susan Feller, Elizabeth Miller, Karen D Miller, Domenica Zara Queen, Terri Todd, By Jane’s Daughter, UnitingUs. Exhibiting in the next show is Laura Salamy.

  • Themes explored with fiber in exhibit

    Themes explored with fiber in exhibit

    ‘In the Shadows’ one of 7 in exhibit Karen D. Miller

    In the lead-up to opening of ‘Stories are Made Loop by Loop’ at the Virginia Quilt Museum on July 12 this post highlights themes explored by the makers. The artists chose to spend hours alone with fiber, color, shapes and simple tools developing work that visualized a personal experience or important issue. They used the rhythmic slow process of pulling loops to meditate and heal, advocate, resolve personal problems.

    When you visit the exhibit or read the digital catalog, available in mid July, we invite the viewer to LOOK at the work before reading the stories. THINK how you react to the design. Is there a story in your life you are reminded of? Are you curious to know the maker’s story? Does a piece have you thinking about the topic differently?

    Motherhood and Identity are explored by Elizabeth Miller and Karen D. Miller. “I imagined the words on the staircase in Breaking the Cycle as representing aspects of motherhood while I stumbled upward accompanying my sons to their adulthood. “ Elizabeth Miller

    Karen D. Miller is a contemporary textile artist and writer using rug hooking to create conversation around the consequences of motherhood on women’s identity, perceptions, relationships and value. The series In the Shadows captures moments of life.

    Healing from a diagnosis of breast cancer has led to a career as an artist and writer, inspiring others to connect with their joy and sense of purpose.   The meditative rhythm of loop pulling and journaled words inspiring a design help along the creative journey.  Meryl Cook

    Doodles from a time of depression, years later during covid became larger – now statements that visually demand to be heard. Terri Todd

    Veterans’ Social Issues are visible and personal. “The work ‘Urban Icons’ depicts the result of society and legislative reactions to the mental illness, drug and alcohol addictions experienced by many veterans as they re-enter civilian life.” Cheryl Bollenbach

    As a female veteran, Mary Lopez de Morales (@byJanesDaughter) can use the symbolic language of her military experience to highlight inequities within the ranks and public. A thistle represents ‘Pain – Strength ‘ Survival’.

    Rug Hooking is an example of using waste materials to make a new object. Generations of frugal homemakers passed these skills on. Each person picked up the hook, gathered fabrics and recorded their life. See what these artists save from the land fills.

    “My goal is to continue the craft heritage of my family making objects this time with the 21st C heirloom material plastic. Domenica Zara Queen

    A background in environmental regulatory compliance predisposed Laura Salamy to experiment with all kind of fibers and textiles, specifically those that might otherwise end up in landfills.

    As curator, I look forward to reviews, comments and maybe a few new rug hooking enthusiasts after experiencing ‘Stories are Made Loop by Loop’ at the Virginia Quilt Museum July 12 – October 7 with reception September 23. Susan Feller

    The exhibit is scheduled to travel to Juliet Art Museum at Clay Center for the Arts & Sciences, Charleston, WV March – June 2024; then The Dairy Barn Art Center, Athens, OH July 5 – September 11 and ending at Schwenkfelder Library and Heritage Center, Pennsburg, PA September – December.

  • Caring for Nature

    Caring for Nature

    Looking back over my work I realize growth, geology and sounds of nature have inspired and influenced it. To study life outside of our dwellings brings an awareness of delicacy and interdependency. It seems my media of choice; fiber/textiles and non-mechanical tools (a hook and needle); honors the experiences my senses absorb.

    I participated as a Girl Scout in the very first Earth Day celebrations. In 2020 I honored the 50th anniversary quietly while hooking alone in my studio on 2020 Journal (detail is above). See ‘Trees are My Muse on my YouTube channel where I explore the subject as design element.

    There are several organizations which I follow and support. Their focus is to advocate for the existing natural geology and life along with the populations living nearby. Corporate extraction of limited natural resources have resorted to invasive methods ignoring the existing benefits of open space for tourism, generations of families, and endangered species of flora and fauna.
    Coal River Mountain Watch monitors mountaintop removal permits in and near Naoma, WV. These are often broken with minimal fines levied.
    WV Rivers Coalition has worked successfully since 1990 to address the value of clean waters within the state. Protecting the waters from corporate fracking, chicken waste run off, logging and private land owners dredging the stream paths.
    ARTivism Virginia is a coalition of artists and advocates working to prevent the completion of the Mountain Valley Pipeline.

    The Old Growth forests throughout the United States are endangered from human growth in larger communities and corporate building. The current administration is funding protection of these spaces. Search for areas in your state on this site. In West Virginia there are several pockets. One is Cathedral State Park in Aurora, WV. Kanawha State Park just outside of Charleston, WV has a pocket of old growth trees. In Tucker County there are trees over 100 years old slated to be clear cut by the Forest Service.

    Mountains of Energy
    Fall complements
    Fall Along the New River in West Virginia

    No matter how you communicate choose to respect this planet we all live on not just every April 22.

  • Learn by Questioning

    There are many opportunities to learn. Watching a how-to video helps, but when you are able to ask questions a relationship develops. The Tamarack Foundation for the Arts offers personal networking experiences through the Creative Network. Monthly Lunch and Learn programming lead by WVCN Liaison, Angelica Armstrong, introduces successful, emerging, retailers, writers, musicians, artists in all media to the registrants. After a conversation exploring the speaker’s journey, the audience raises questions and tags “golden nuggets” (wise tips) shared.

    Executive Director for Beckley Art Center, Robby Moore experiences as an artist, curator, theatre professional, community advocate provided steps how to prepare for and approach a gallery with your work.
    Tips from his Lunch and Learn talk: Create a professional packet with bio, CV, artist statement and current work; research the venue ahead of contact – what type of art is featured, is it an audience you are interested in, how do they review new artists; and visit ahead of time. Mr. Moore is an art consultant for both collectors and independent artists. Check out his web and follow on social media.

    Hannah Lenhart, Tamarack Foundation Emerging Artist Fellow, potter, soon to open a brick and mortar studio, classroom, event center in Fairmount, WV brought youthful energy to her presentation.
    Tips: an active social media includes videos of successes and failures making her colorful objects. This is one of many financial channels she is developing.
    Hannah describes her goal in making “My focus through my work is to help make life’s little rituals a little more special.” Her website includes online shop, links to social media, and great visuals.

    This month I shared my journey Evolving a Career in Art with a timeline of slides and conversation. Tips shared included: introduce yourself by name even if you might already know the person, be prepared to offer a business card for contact, find the new person in a group to sit with or listen to, encourage new techniques, connect people together with common skills or interests, evaluate your practice and evolve.
    As a former gallery owner we found our clients interested in new work, knowing the stories of makers, and seeing growth in skills or directions. One question was how do I decide what ideas to dedicate time to? Answer: I edit the visuals these days to focus on a body of work. I am learning to interview, video and document people experiencing the impact of humans on our environment and equality. Curating exhibits, advocating, mentoring and continuing to teach design will be the focus for next few years.

    Jamie Lester, sculptor, musician, community advocate from Fayetteville, WV will be the March Creative Network Lunch and Learn speaker.

    Tamarack Foundation for the Arts is adding salon events to the in-person opportunities. Artist Brian Reed leads the first at Echo-Lit, 427 Washington ST. W, Charleston, WV on Feb 22 from 4-7. Thanks to this coordination from Brian and Megan we will have a template to share with other venues throughout the state. Interested in a pop-up salon in your community reach out to TFA for details. (info@tamarackfoundation.org )

  • Making art – Why?

    Making art – Why?

    I am beginning a new website and thought to muse on creating art.
    Please visit SusanFeller.com over the next months to learn my story.

    I waver between how the methodical, rhythmic action stitching and loop making settles me to an anxiousness felt designing a visual message recording life around me.  Viewing installations, collections and themed exhibits focusing on the latter can energize or inhibit my own design habits. Perhaps the “imposter syndrome” comes into play subconsciously.  Can I call myself an artist like them? Of course just do it.

    Mountains of Energy, mixed media

    When a social issue piece is complete I will clear my mind and explore a different medium. Perhaps sketching small random scenes and shapes, mindlessly combining techniques, materials and designs. Eventually a story sneaks into the process and art evolves again.

    Feb 23 sketch

    How do you end and start again? What are your inspirations? Are you beginning or settled along an art journey?