When Marsha Rennie (from Australia) and I were discussing our Yahooker Christmas swap, we decided that any subject either of us wanted to hook would be fine as long as the resultant piece either had a personal resonance or association with the artist or something to do with our country of origin. (I showed her lovely version of the Sydney Harbor, which she hooked for me, on yesterday’s post.) It took me a while to settle on something that was associated with me to send her, but this is what I finally made and why.
It’s about parakeets: Even though parakeets come from Australia, there is a fairly high concentration of them in my back yard aviary – 16 at this count. Locals often refer to me as the bird man. I have bred them on and off for years and never get tired of their varied coloration or personalities. Although I have made and sold several hooked rugs, the only one that really bothers me for having flown the coop is the grouping of 11 of my original flock that I hooked in 1999. (It is in a wonderful home and I have visitation rights, so it’s perfectly OK.) Over the years, people have said: Why don’t you just hook another version? However, there was just something about the special nature of that rug and how and when it was made that prevented me from revisiting that design. Yet, this go around, when trying to think of something that would really resonate with me, parakeets quickly came to mind and that’s what I decided to do. Of course, this one did not stay around very long either! Then again, why do I really need a hooked version when I do have 16 just outside the studio door?
It’s about vivid colors: In spite of the rumors out there, it is not true that my rugs are so bright that they can be used as night lights. Still, I do gravitate to brighter colors. More than once I asked Marsha what sort of colors she liked to use in her home – more than once she said use whatever you like – so, I did. There was no over arching plan, it just came out this way. It’s me run amok. If Van Gogh can have a green sky, why can’t I have one this color? FYI: The main background is in various values of solid and tweed Hotberry wool and the hotter, orangey accent is the new Tahitian Sunset. (And, because leftover cut strips from this project were laying around when I started the Persian, all the leftovers, plus others, went into that rug as well. )
It’s about prodded elements: While no one has a copyright on three dimensional effects, I have been hanging out with them for some time. So, if I was to do something with a personal stamp, a prodded element seemed appropriate. Since I often gather branches of eucalyptus trees to put in with my birds – they just love them – this design seemed perfect for a little bit of proddy. After all, both parakeet and eucalyptus go together as they are Australian natives. The flowers are the dahlia technique from the book and the nuts are double knots tied with a #10 cut.
It’s about breaking the rules: If having a red sky wasn’t enough, the swap rules stipulated a 6 by 18 inch rug. This is more like 12 by 18 inches or so. What’s the use of being a rug hooker if you can’t break a few rules? Besides, Australia is such a big place that 6 by 18 “US” would probably end up being about 12 by 18 “AUS.”
So, here is my Christmas, #8 cut Australian parakeet, that was hooked in CA, but now resides in Australia, Yahooker swap. Thank you Marsha for making it such an enjoyable experience. I will see you in April. Maybe we can go bird watching?
GRS
PS: My normal habit is to minimize the signature part of my rug – hiding a single initial somewhere or working it into the design so that it is not readily apparent. It can be tiny or quite large, just as long as it is subtle. I won’t tell you where it is in this piece … but will admit that instead of my usual “S,” this time a “G” was used.
Will be back on the Blog Monday morning.
LC
December 11, 2009 at 9:03 am
What a nice surprise this mat must have been! YES YOUR COLORS ARE SO THERE! I’m thinking one of these days I will have to order some Tahitian Sunset–maybe for my small version of Big Momma. Or have you bring it to Sauder. Have a good weekend. LC
LauraWp
December 11, 2009 at 12:23 pm
just a beautiful little gem… i had to log-in and comment. yes, i agree that 6×18 US is equivalent to 12×18 AUS. they have big spaces there. and i’m looking at the red sun for a subtle G.
i love eucalyptus and you do a beautiful job. it’s interesting to find out that Parakeets are from Auz. thanks for an interesting blog and beautiful eye-candy.
Gene Shepherd
December 11, 2009 at 2:27 pm
LauraWP – Thanks for the nice words. And, yes, you have a good eye. GRS
Arline Keeling
December 11, 2009 at 3:48 pm
How stunning……..What a lucky swapper the recipient is…….
I want to tell you about a recent Art Exhibit with many talented and well known artists……The theme was the Texture of Art and there were several pieces of hand dyed silk, a large Oriental exhibit, Art with glass, art with bees wax layers and very large oils and some small ones…………They handed out a piece of paper for everyone to vote for their favorite of the show……..Your Prodded table mat that I did and you showed on the blog, from your book cover was voted on as a favorite of all that stunning Art…….I just had to tell you that……….I have had so many compliments on it from both men and women……..
V. Sharmay
Gene Shepherd
December 11, 2009 at 6:13 pm
Arline – What a nice compliment for us both! Congratulations – I am not surprised as you did a great job. GRS
Phyllis
December 11, 2009 at 8:38 pm
I’m so pleased that two people I like very much have met through a Yahooker swap – and that you will meet in person soon, too. I do love this rug hooking community!
Phyllis
Gene Shepherd
December 11, 2009 at 11:32 pm
Phyllis – The only thing that could have made it better would have been to work you into some sort of trio with us! (Maybe you should join us in Australia?) You are right about our community – it wasn’t a project … it was a labor of love. It was also great fun. Thanks for allowing the Yahooker’s group to sponsor such things. Jo-Anne does a great job with the organization. GRS
debby
December 12, 2009 at 9:29 am
SIMPLY WONDERFUL! And to me, it has such an ‘Australian’ flair to it. That is what I thought before I read your description. I found the G in the middle of the sun, but I guess it doesn’t count since Laura mentioned it above!
BillieJo
December 12, 2009 at 9:39 am
If there’s one thing and one thing only that I’ve learned from your Blog …. it’s that you live in a world of total enjoyment when you CAN break the rules. That IS what helps to make you the artist you have become. Keep on keeping on…. Jo
herbanwoman
December 16, 2009 at 1:47 pm
such fantastic colours with this parakeet, it reminds me of florida(a long way from the 15 below weather here in south dakota) Hooking seems to be very like painting, and I am looking forward to learning about this new craft I have taken up. Your site is inspiring…thanks..