Political Caricatures - Hand Hooked Wall Art

I have started a small series of hand hooked wall art pieces, that are based on my caricature drawings of politicians.

I start by making numerous small, representational drawings of the person in question, then start to evolve a more cartoon-like version (examples of the latter, below):-

I sometimes make a digital version of a black and white line version so that I can explore different colour palettes. I make a full size template to work from, although both colours and other features may change at the hooking stage!

 
I source appropriate textiles (many recycled or off-cuts) and other materials (such as yarn or wool tops) to suit the chosen colours. The fabrics are laundered, and hand cut into strips for hooking. Each loop is individually pulled through the backing fabric (hessian, in this case) using a tool with a hook on the end.

After the hooking is completed (I normally take a week or two of evenings to complete a piece of this size), further embellishments (such as the paper string 'hair', and glass bead eyes in the piece below) are attached.

Next comes a stiffening, double layer of mount board, and thick wool felt for the backing. A label and hanging loop are also added before the sides are neatened with a yarn or fabric strip and hand stitched border.

I have made two versions of 'Trump': the first, a papier mâché one, has already gone to its natural home in the US, the second one is a hooked version.

"Trump" hand hooked wall art

"Rees-Mogg" hand hooked wall art

"Johnson" hand hooked wall art

"May" hand hooked wall art

I don't very often work with figures/people, so this has been an interesting challenge!

Latest Work and Mark-making Experiments in Batik

My latest batch of Prayer Flag Brooches are finished and listed in my Folksy and Etsy Shops.

These ones have a light and fragile look with shades of cream, beige and old gold, lace and buttons.

My next project is going to be a tall thin textile wall hanging based on the path at Samye Ling Buddhist Centre.

The path really caught my eye on a visit there, with its recycled paving slabs of different sizes, and occasional bricks or yellow stripes. I took the photographs below and made a couple of drawings to simplify it into a wall hanging.

My plan is that many of the steps on the wall hanging will be an art or craft that I have tried over the years as my own 'Path to Enlightenment' of learning about art.

I have tried to make some of my own fabrics with painted dyes, or batik technique and dye.

Painted dye on cotton fabric

Batik with painted dye on cotton

I added these two patterns to my libraries of patterns on Society6 and Redbubble. They look pretty good on the rugs, mugs, bags etc!

I'm on my third 'step', so a long way to go on this project!

My New Shop on Redbubble!

My artwork and photographic images are now available on a variety of merchandise at Redbubble.

Here are a few examples from the eclectic collection! Please click on the link beneath the image to go to the items for sale. There are many more designs available and they can be printed onto different items, such as wall art, t-shirts, pouches, mugs, cushions, and more.

 Grumpy Girl Studio Pouch

Woven Denim Hardcover Journal

Woven Denim Throw Pillow/Cushion

Rainbow Colours Art Board

Buttercups Travel Mug

Cherry Blossom Spiral Notebook

Bricks Long T-shirt 

Black & White Tyre Tracks Tote Bag

Black & White Stripes Canvas Print

Tumbling Blocks Quilt i-Pad Skin

Red In Tooth And Claw Photographic Print

Skin World Tote Bag

To browse the whole shop, please visit this link.

Latest Projects ...

Following on from the abstract landscape I made with a prodded rag rug technique, I also made a hooked and needle punched version. This piece is made from repurposed textiles and mixed fibre yarn.

I sewed the piece to mount board, 'ready for framing'.  It is currently listed for sale in my Folksy shop.

Another small piece, inspired by colour palettes that I have collected on my travels... This piece was based on the colours found on an old, rusting, painted metal fence with bright green algae on it.

A painted, gouache version of the palette, set against an orange background (A3 size).

Version #1: fairly two-dimensional, matt felts with thick wool fabric (from a repurposed coat); made using the techniques of reverse appliqué and embroidery. Available in my Folksy shop.

Version #2: more three-dimensional appliqué, some with added embroidery. This piece is a bit more 'shiny' and features a variety of repurposed textiles. 

This piece is available from my Etsy shop.

Next, a piece based on some beach colours...

Work in Progress - Abstract Landscape

I visited Mungrisdale in the Lake District on a bright December day and took photographs and made subsequent drawings. I loved the colour palette and contrasting textures of the hillside covered in shale, bracken, grass and other plants, set against a bluebell blue sky.

I made a few drawings in different media, trying different colour variations and simplifying the composition into blocks of colour.

I cut 3/4" x 2" tabs from re-purposed clothing and prodded them through a background fabric of hessian.

As usual my finished piece is much brighter than the original, relying on the colours I can source, and on the colours I choose to use together.

Now to find a deep box frame to take the deep pile of the work...

A Couple of Pages From My Sketchbook

Following a talk last week (about giving talks!) by Joanna O'Neill at the Embroiderers' Guild in Dumfries, Margaret and I were discussing her wonderful sketchbooks, which were on display at the end of the lecture. There were also examples of her quilt work and small journal quilts, images of which can be seen on her website. I bought two printed cards of her work (scanned image below).

Having learned the importance of keeping a sketchbook on an OCA textiles course, and having observed the way in which textile artists such as Joanna use them (she keeps a mixture of representational drawings, jottings and notes, quick sketches etc - a visual journal/diary), it has encouraged me to make an effort to keep using mine.

We agreed that the only way to do it was to set aside a regular time in the day for drawing, otherwise 'life' takes precedence.

Here are a couple of my recent pages...

Drawing of a print seen on a wall in an artist's studio, in a book called "Maker Spaces" by Emily Quinton, which Rob bought for my birthday. I thought that this sort of design could work well as a patchwork textile wall hanging, or a cut paper collage.

"Change Something" - a collage of found images and mixed media. I am always cutting odd phrases and pictures of objects and human features and body parts out of magazines. These strange creatures occasionally emerge from the cuttings.

Twelve Hearts Patchwork and Appliqué Wall Hanging

Here is my latest wall hanging: made from a mix of machine sewn patchwork, hand appliqué and hand quilting. I was aiming for a colourful mixture of fabrics with a 'scrappy', improvised look. 

Making
The individual rectangles are pieced, then each has a heart sewn to it. The rectangles are joined (after much deliberation about the layout!), then the top is sandwiched with a wadding and backing layer before quilting begins, using embroidery threads for added touches of colour. I added some Czechoslovakian matte glass beads in three places, to add a further layer of interest. A binding is added, along with a hanging sleeve on the reverse, and finally, my maker's label.

This piece is available for sale in my etsy shop. 

Patchwork and a Textile Postcard

I made a couple of pin cushions / small cushions using English paper piecing - a relaxing and portable way to sew small items - more challenging for quilts (the one I made took about 10 years to finally finish! Collage photo below).

The first one is a pin cushion size, or suitable as a little cushion for a doll or teddy to sit on.

Hand sewn hexagonal pin cushion, listed on Folksy

Hand sewn hexagonal large pin cushion / small cushion, listed on Etsy


If you want to have a go yourself, there are lots of videos on You Tube, such as this one.

Another couple of pieces that I have listed this week:-

"In Another Galaxy" textile postcard, listed on Etsy

Punch needle embroidery pendant, listed on Folksy

Gift Ideas For Valentine's Day - Embroidered Heart Pendants

Here are a selection of my embroidered heart pendants.

These are made using a hand tool called a punch needle, which makes a single loop of embroidery thread on the backing fabric with each 'punch'. The resulting embroidery is like a miniature 'rug' with lots of surface texture.

The price quoted includes a gift box and UK postage & packaging (small charges apply for worldwide shipping).

Variegated Lilac with Green Sparkle, £25

 Yellow and Teal Star Pattern, £25

 Pink & Purple Swirl Pattern, £25

Shades of Red, £25

Pink Swirl Pattern (minor imperfection to mount), £23

My items are split between my Folksy and Etsy shops. I can list any item on your preferred platform - just contact me with your requirements.