I use the word eye candy a lot and I can’t think of a better descriptor. Seeing a completed hooked rug is the perfect medicine, bringing a smile to my lips and keeps me in awe of the fabulous talent we all share. Sometimes a rug is so very fine, so well executed, a little green monster creeps his way into my thoughts and I have to give it a mental chop to send it away. Sometimes a rug is so spectacular I moan how I wished I’d thought of the design idea first. No one is perfect we can all wish for more, but that does not mean I’m not supportive or wowed to tears at another’s incredible good fortune.
My eyes dally at beauty, drinking in the essence of a rug. I‘m like a deer caught in the headlights, trapped by the colours. Then I become tactile and caress the softness and texture and feel awed by its very presence. Seeing what others do is what inspires me to be all I can be creatively. I refuel off the talent of others, absorbing awesome energy until my batteries are recharged. Don’t we all feel this way? Are we not all eager to reward with praise and offer admiration, want to build other’s up for their artistic accomplishments?
Every rug is more than a piece of art. It is the heart and soul of its maker. The artist has created an extension of their creative thought. Our rugs are personal, they represent our love of colour, particular designs, love of textiles, they are as relevant as the clothing we put on our backs.
How that can be wrong or unappreciated is a mystery? Beauty unlocks an emotional damn, the same welling you feel from seeing a newborn child or puppy, being overwhelmed with the miracle of its creation.
No man has the right to rain on anyone’s parade. Maybe a colour doesn’t suit the viewer, maybe you don’t like the person doing the work, or the rug is executed in a manor not conducive to your style but none of that matters, each and every project is an entity onto itself and needs to be viewed as if it is the only rug in the world and the creator a grand master.
Every action has a reaction, the pride one felt in the creating should be rewarded and fostered back. Think of all the times your children brought home coloured pictures from school and you posted them on the fridge, maybe not sure if the little green thing was a dog or an apple, but you praise the child on how wonderful and how very clever they are, building their budding talent and shaping confidence. I'll bet you would rather cut out your tongue than say something negative to that little face looking at you for approval. Remember this when someone shows you what they've created. They might be grownup now but they are still that same little child needing praise and acceptance.
I was brought up to say nothing if there isn’t anything good to say. For me, all handwork is beautiful and in all things there is a story. There is no right or wrong and I will be an advocate for any artist that would like to share their work with me and I will then forward it on. I don’t care if you send me a pair of your grandmother's thread bare bloomers decorated with a cross-titched paisley, I'll post it and call it art and admire your handiwork and thank you for making my day!
I’ve been a big proponent supporting other rug hooking shops and hookers that frequent them. If I see a rug posted on Facebook, I “Like” it, and many times have been inspired to leave comments as the awe of their work takes my breath away or simply made me smile when I might have needed it. I have no problem complimenting a design that doesn’t come off of my drawing table, maybe I have a store but that is just rooms with walls and a bunch of stuff lining shelves. I am Christine Little, a person, a fair and open minded, enthusiastic appreciator of anyone’s handwork. So please, continue sharing your work with me so we can all bask in the afterglow of you.