Tag: New Mexico art

January 7, 2023

NMFAC punch needle workshop – January 21

NMFAC to host punch needle workshop

New Mexico peeps! Is stretching creatively one of your New Year’s resolutions? Looking to learn a new technique? Whatever your reasons, the time is now! Or at least on January 21. New Mexico Fiber Arts Center (aka NMFAC/EVFAC) is hosting moi so that YOU can start punch needle rug hooking. The funny thing is that I taught this class for NMFAC/EVFAC just before Covid sent us all home for our extended “vacation.” Who knew it would take soooo long to get back?

Find all pertinent info copied below, but register HERE.

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Introduction to Punch Needle Rug Hookingwith Laura Salamy

January 21st: 10:30am-1:30pm
Members: $70
Non Members: $80
Students (Ages 14-18): $40
Ages 14+
Limit: 10 participants.
All skill levels welcome!
Materials fee (Paid upon arrival directly to instructor): $20

Punch needle rug hooking project - learn at NMFAC — You can learn to punch projects like this at NMFAC!

Students will learn how to use the punch needle to make a small project that can be hung on a wall or used as a “mug rug.” The basic skill set gained will allow students to move on to larger projects like table runners, pillows, and rugs with confidence.
During the class, students will:
• transfer a simple pattern onto a cotton, monk’s cloth backing
• prepare materials
• begin punching a mug rug or wall-hanging.

We’ll also discuss various ways you might want to finish your rug after all the punching is done. No experience is necessary; just come prepared to play with all the colors!

Materials Instructor will provide: Handouts, rug yarn and monk’s cloth. An Oxford punch needle and frame will be provided and can be purchased after class, if desired.

Please bring a pair of scissors!

About Laura Salamy: Laura Salamy is the experienced, albeit “not-so-traditional” fiber artist behind High on Hooking (www.highonhooking.com). She serves as President of the Adobe Wool Arts Guild, New Mexico’s only rug hooking guild. Laura teaches locally and on Zoom. Her work can be seen online, in various books, in Rug Hooking Magazine, and in the Association of Traditional Hooking Artists Magazine.

Class cancellation policy: Students will receive a full refund if cancelling up to 7 days prior to the class. If cancelling within one week of the class, students will receive a 50% refund to be used for NMFAC class credit only.

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Hooked pillow — Finished punch needle rug hooking project.

FYI – If you can’t make this workshop, I’ll be in Los Alamos teaching at Fuller Lodge Art Center in late February and early March. Find info about those classes HERE.

See HoH’s entire calendar of events and classes HERE.

January 4, 2023

The Angel of 2023

The ANGEL OF 2023: SHE PRAYS FOR RAIN

Every year – usually in the late fall – I create an angel for the coming year. See 2022, 2021, but not 2020; not sure where she went.) This year I was a little tardy and finished her up on January 1. Given everything HOLIDAY going on and the passing of another year, I’m thinking that I’ll keep this schedule from now on. It gives me a break after festivals, sales, and late fall teaching.

Fiber art, ANGEL OF 2023, SHE PRAYS FOR RAIN — THE ANGEL OF 2023, SHE PRAYS FOR RAIN
Hooked (various fibers) and embroidered (bamboo yarn and cotton embroidery floss) on 4×4 monk’s cloth; mounted on a black canvas.

In my fiber art practice, I focus on reuse and repurposing, especially of textiles of all kinds. Better to use something than let it fall into landfills. Sadly, this is particularly the case in this time of fast fashion and its concomitant waste. I will never run out of raw materials for my work.

At the same time, I live in the American Southwest, a land still wildly beautiful but suffering from a megadrought. You’ve all seen the pics of Lakes Mead and Powell. No need to repeat it here. Our uncompromising thirst for water and other resources has brought us here. Truthfully, I don’t think that much will change, but if it’s going to, WE better get to it right quickly to help with water and all of our other environmental crises.

In the meantime…SHE PRAYS FOR RAIN.

November 23, 2022

The Art of Motherhood

We’re all affected in some way by motherhood…

Book cover: The Art of Motherhood: Our Lives in Colour and Shadow

I know I’m late to the party congratulating Karen Miller of Ontario on the release of her new book The Art of Mothering: Our Lives in Colour and Shadow, but I will NOT be the last, I guarantee you.

Karen’s book, published by Rug Hooking Magazine, came out in October. I think I received my copy in early November. Unfortunately, I’ve been très busy the past month, so I’ve only been able to scan through it thus far, but with the holidays almost here, I’m hoping to sit down soon and pore over it – no interruptions!

It’s a beautiful book, certainly, filled with all kinds of art. It’s vivid and colorful as it shines a light on how female artists have dealt with not just the topic of motherhood, but its actuality.

From the back cover:

Motherhood has been the richest experience of Karen Miller’s life. It has also inescapably changed her life trajectory: her career path, her energy levels, her commitments, her time, her marriage. It has affected everything. Join Karen as she and 21 contributing artists lift the lid on motherhood and peer inside to examine the reality of their lives through textile arts.

The Art of Motherhood: Our Lives in Colour and Shadow illuminates the feelings that so few of us talk about – but so many of us feel – as we navigate the journey that is motherhood.

Hooked art — “Rejection,” 14′ x 17.5″, hooked on monk’s cloth with wool strips and yarn, is one of my pieces in Karen’s book.

Karen’s known for a long time that being a mother hasn’t always been the best of experiences for me, so when she asked me to contribute to the book, I jumped at the chance. It’s always stuck up my craw sideways that women rarely feel comfortable being honest about motherhood and what it does to us. Even in a group of just women! How dare we speak up about not feeling quite like the Madonna and her perfect Child. News flash: I’m no Madonna and it took a lot of alcohol to get through my only kid’s high school years. (Those years made the previous 14 look like an f-ing picnic.) But after fertility problems and two miscarriages over two years, no one wanted a kid as much as I did. And I have no regrets. (Most of the time.)

That’s the kind of candid crap you’ll find in this book though in a much more eloquent form, LOL. And LOTS OF FIBER ART, hooked and otherwise. If you’re a mom or know a mom or ever had a mom, get thee online to order this book. It’d make a kick-ass and thoughtful Christmas or other type of gift. I promise. You can order from RHM HERE. If you’re in Canada, contact Karen through her website.

PS- Not all moms are biologic. And mother figures count as moms.

FYI-
Below is a list of the Instagram handles of all the artists who, in some way affected by motherhood, contributed work to Karen’s truly excellent book. Check out their work.

Karen Miller: @karendmillerstudio
Nadine Flagel: @pretextstudio
Meryl Cook: @merylcook
Laura Salamy: @highonhooking
Emily van Lidth de Jeude: @emilyvanartist
Jane Smith: @blogginthebay
April Deconick: @aprildeconickart
Linda Friedman Schmidt: @lindafriedmanschmidt
Rachelle Leblanc: @rachelle_leblanc_art
Trish Johnson: @trshjhnsn
Patti Colen: @woollycronedesigns
Alexandrya Eaton: @alexandryaeaton
Michelle Kingdom: @michelle.kingdom
Carmen Bohn: @carmenbohn_art
Elizabeth Miller: @northatlanticfiberarts
Ellen Skea Marshall: @twocatsanddoghooking
Amy Meissner: @amymeissnerartist
Michele Micarelli: @michelepmicarelli
Linda Rae Coughlin: @lindarae_coughlin
Sayward Johnson: @saywardjohnson
Lori Laberge: @lorilabergeart
Karen Larsen: I don’t believe Karen is on Ig but she is on fb

And to everyone in the US, mother or not,

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

October 3, 2022

PROTEST show opens October 7

PROTEST: See Something, Say Something

Please Join Us For The Two Moons Exhibit Series Opening Reception

Friday, October 7, 5:30 pm to 8 pm
at FUSION 700-708 1st St., NW – Downtown ABQ

Part of the Two Moons exhibit series curated by artist Martin Terry, this contemporary exhibition – PROTEST, See Something, Say Something – will focus on a select group of artists whose works speak to a social consciousness. Included are fiber arts, sculpture, painting, graphite, mixed media, written word, video, song, and other new and innovative means of communicating social commentary. Work in a wide range of styles matches the breadth of subjects addressed, including racism, sexism, economic inequality, climate change, violence, political upheaval, war, disease, and hatred.

Protest runs Friday, October 7, 20228:30 PM – Friday, December 2, 20229:30 PM. High on Hooking has two pieces hanging in this show.

July 19, 2022

UPDATED TEACHING SCHEDULE

Updated Teaching Schedule

High on Hooking is regularly available to teach individuals and groups in the Albuquerque-Santa Fe area. Currently we’ve got workshops scheduled in early and late September at two different events.

HEART OF NM FIBER AND ART GATHERING – Saturday and Sunday, September 3 and 4

Held in conjunction with Wildlife West Nature Park’s Harvest Festival in Edgewood. There will be vendors, workshops, live animals, and demonstrations all weekend.

Intro to Punch Needle Rug Hooking
Saturday, September 3, 2:00 – 5:00 PM
Find class info HERE or contact Laura directly.

MOUNTAIN AND VALLEY WOOL FESTIVAL (previously known as the Taos Wool Festival) –
Saturday and Sunday, October 3 and 4

Now being held in Santa Fe at the County Fairgrounds. There will be: vendors of all types, artists, a “fiber critter corner,” auctions, demonstrations, hands-on activities for kids and adults, food vendors, and music. NOTE: Workshops are held Thursday and Friday, September 29 and 30.

Intro to Rug Hooking
Thursday, September 29, 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Find class info HERE or contact Laura directly.

Intro to Punch Needle Rug Hooking
Thursday, September 29, 200 – 5:00 PM
Find class info HERE or contact Laura directly.

High on Hooking is happy to teach in other locations, on Zoom, or even in our/your home. Just give a yell and tell us what you’re interested in. Topics include:

– Intro to Punch Needle Rug Hooking
– Introduction to Rug Hooking – Not So Traditional
– Hooking With and Beyond the Wool – using materials besides wool strips
– Hooking With T-Shirts
– Build a Baby Boucherouite – create a little mat from old textiles

Keep an eye on our Calendar page for our teaching schedule and upcoming events.

Shakerag studio assistant Claire Nolan — Claire Nolan, Shakerag Workshops studio assistant and student extraordinaire in class learned how to hook and punch with High on Hooking in June. Bravo, Claire! Now everyone be like Claire and take a rug hooking workshop.