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Riser Rug Run

2/6/2017

6 Comments

 
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I’m having fun designing and hooking a few nautical flavoured stair case risers.  I’ll be in and out of this project until all of them are covered in fanciful, ocean inspired fiber art of all things on or in the sea.  This was never meant to be a project that starts and finishes in one wave.  I’ll be tacking in other directions from time to time as the winds of life rarely allows a straight sail, but that makes it more exciting and less of a chore to finish on some unrealistic deadline. The voyage may take longer, but I’ll reach port in due time. 

So I’m working on #3 of the Riser Rug Run, keeping it on course with more seafaring motifs.  Each rug will have its share of red, the glue that will fuse them all together. Future projects will include a lobster, muscles and starfish with red coral, oars, fish, anchors and other maritime favourites.  The possibilities are endless and I have 25 rough sketches that I add too when a thought ripples the still waters of my brain, I’ve even gotten out of bed in the middle of night to chart a fresh course.  I may not hook them all, I only have so many risers, but we will offer lots of choices for those who wish to adorn their own staircase with a bit of nautical flair.

The photo does not do these small rugs justice.  Saturday I sat in a chair at the shop and gazed at the two I’ve finished.  The richness of the colours, that luxurious red of the compass played with the tail of the mermaid in perfect harmony.  I couldn’t take my eyes of them, they add so much beauty to the studio.  I'm afraid I'll break my neck going up the stairs as my eyes drift downward when I should be focusing up and ahead.

The mermaid, long and graceful, swims in a graduated ocean, deep blues at the bottom rising to light, sun kissed blues, teals and turquoises at the top.  Her hair flows like liquid gold.  I shaded her tail with six values of Heart Red, lightest at her hips and darkest at the small span before the fanning tail. The rope is hooked with six value Straw; a simple process with a huge impact.   

There are constants to these designs.  The rope edge will cascade up and down the staircase binding them together as one continuous mural.   The red line for port on the left, and green on the right is also an added bit of continuity and of course the outer edge will all be hooked using that delicious plaid I used for the background and border of my boat compass rose rug.   I fear I may not have enough but I used it for the backing of one of my Christmas stockings so I know where to find another quarter yard if needed.  After that I'll be pouching the last row of my compass rose outer border.  If only I could secure a couple hundred yards of that wool, I’d stow it away just for me.   Not only did it wash, cut and hook beautifully, but it’s my favourite colour, blue!  I’d use it in everything, my constant go to wool. I’d covet it all to myself, only to be pried out of my cold dead hands. 

I’m having fun.  Working with this kind of rich colour palette is exciting.  My favourite combinations are the primaries, for some reason they resonate with me more than others.  I’m drawn to them like a shark to blood, which coincidentally happens to be red.   


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6 Comments
Audrey
2/7/2017 05:46:28 am

Another interesting and colourful piece of stair art.

Reply
Monica
2/7/2017 05:47:16 am

Would love this in a rug mom Adena Clark.

Reply
Rachel
2/7/2017 05:48:00 am

Yes I would love this for a rug.

Reply
Norma
2/7/2017 03:17:26 pm

The rugs are beautiful, but I have to say that your words pull me along with you on your journey through every blog topic. Such wonderfully descriptive writing.... Can't wait for your book!

Reply
Debbie
2/7/2017 08:02:22 pm

I luv the rope boarders and the treads too but they are so unique and just set off the pattern

Reply
Clare
2/8/2017 03:37:00 am

They are wonderful!
The staircase down to our family room is in need of "something" and these are perfect as we live near the beach. Your art is so appreciated; thank you.

Reply



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