I've been trying to design my childhood memories rug and every time I start at it it seems that I'm spinning in one place and not getting ahead, I have all my ideas but it's to draw them that I'm having a bit of difficulties. What am I saying,? I'm having a LOT of difficulties. If only I could draw from memory instead of having a model in front of me. I break into a sweat just thinking about it. My problem is I like things to look real and I should loosen up.
I used to have a friend neighbor who was a sculptor and could draw beautiful drawings, If he was still alive I would pay him to draw my rugs. He would have been able to draw whatever I wanted. He was a really gifted self taught artist.
I have my burlap cut to a fairly large size for my rug and can't wait to get hooking. I don't have hookers blocks but I sure have designer's blocks. I have a lots of items to add on there and once I zig zag the edges I'm hooking something, anything. Sorry folks, no pictures tonight. I'm pulling the little bit hair I have left. JB
RUG HOOKING BLOG
About Me
- Julia
- I'm a mother of four grandmother of seven and great grandmother of three. I live with my husband in the house that we built with the help of my brothers and will have been married for 57 years this February.
Oh I can sympathize. I just freeze when I try to design and put a drawing on burlap. So then I get frustrated and run to Deannes and buy a pattern! But it's not the same as your own. Good luck. Someone once gave me this advice....just do it. Lol
ReplyDeleteThanks Kim, you are so sweet. That how I started blogging, Deborah Reardon was the one who said Just do it and now I'm blogging. I'll do it and just fix it as I go... there... JB
ReplyDeleteJulia, I understand what you are saying. Many times my artistic skill level does not live up to the ideas in my head. I tend to like the realistic look also and haven't found a way to get realistic detail without complicating the design.
ReplyDeleteAlso keep in mind that some of the best folk art rugs are absolutely delightful because they are NOT perfect. Their charm is in the fact that the person who designed them was NOT a professional artist.
You are an excellent hooker and the mat you designed for the challenge was very good. So you just need to have more confidence in your abilities. You can do it!!!
Thanks so much Pat for your encouragement. It means so much to have support from my followers. JB
ReplyDeleteJulia - I was taught (and it works) on how to really "see" things when you are trying to draw. Not sure it will help, but it does turn on the creative juices, though I don't understand how. You take a simple picture, like a kids coloring book. You turn the picture upside down. Then you take a pencil and piece of paper and try drawing it as you really see it (not as you "know" it to be). Somehow, it turns the other side of your brain on and you start down the creative path.
ReplyDeleteOh and yes - I HAVE to buy cotton on sale, usually 2.95/yard. I will probably stick to 24x30 rugs that will take 8-10 yards. Then, when my leftover stash is built up, I will make a hit-miss rug which will be fun too.
Hope my hint helps. Just do it girlfriend!!!
/deb
Thanks Deb, I'll try it. It funny how someone can jar my memory. I just remembered that I have a book about using your non dominant hand to draw and it's supposed to be better than what a person draws in their dominant hand. I'll try both. JB
ReplyDeleteHi Mom,
ReplyDeleteI hope you overcome your design block soon!
Perhaps drawing small elements of your memories onto separate pieces of paper will help you piece the whole memory all together. Good Luck!
Hi Christine, Thanks for the suggestion. I have a bunch of scribbles and I have a little bit done. It all needs refining. I'm going to simplify my drawing and it should be fine in the end. Thinking of you and praying. Love, Mom.
ReplyDeleteSounds like you are ready to begin. My outlines are usually fairly simple, and the wool does a lot of the work for me. I'm looking forward to seeing your rug in progress. :) Jo
ReplyDeleteThanks Cotton Eyed Jo and welcome to my blog, JB
ReplyDeleteI know the feeling of wanting to be hooking something, but being stuck in the designing, and obsession to make it 'perfect' so nothing ends up being done. frustrating...
ReplyDeleteMaybe you could start hooking one area that you are somewhat happy with, then design some more, and you may find what you hook affects what you design after, or helps you to choose a memory.
good luck!
Welcome to my blog Christine. Thanks for your comment. My backing is still blank but I'm putting little pieces of papers here and there on it. I'll show my progress in my blog this evening when I have a chance. JB
ReplyDelete