Brush Stroke Confessions

The Boston Media

2012-01-14T04:19:00.000-08:00

The "Hookers" of New Brunswick

by Shirley Moskow (Independent), Nov-16-11 Crafts
Textile Arts

Rug hooking has a long history as a traditional domestic craft, but about twenty women from the Canadian province of New Brunswick have put a new spin on it. They practice rug hooking as a contemporary art form.

They call themselves Les Hookeuses du Bor’de’lo or, wryly, “The Hookers,” and use the age-old rug hooking technique to create unique mats, tapestries, and wall hangings. Their designs range from the realistic to the abstract. Their palette runs the gamut from pale ivory to vibrant blues and crimson. Their choice of such materials as metal is sometimes unorthodox. Like other 21st century artists, they refuse to be confined by past practices.

Each year, the hookers -- many are professional women: nurses, teachers, a school principal, a costume designer, etc. -- choose a theme that all work on at their regular meetings. Each interprets the theme in her own project, which represents between 300 and 600 hours of work. Their work is now so popular that art centers and museums exhibit their work.

The Saint John Museum recently exhibited “Divine Fenêtres… Sâcrées Hookeuses!” (Divine Windows…Sacred Hookers). Inspired by the stained glass windows of Acadian Peninsula churches, the group chose as their theme the cultural/religious heritage of the Acadians. Travelers exploring the beaches along the Acadian Peninsula in the province’s northeast corner may wish to stop at the churches to see the windows that inspired the hookers. Although all of this year's works take the form of church windows, all are different.

An art educator and professional artist whose art has been shown around the world, Gisèle Léger-Drapeau’s multi-media wall hanging is based on a church window in Caraquet. Her ambitious composition features a border of jet beads that frames an image of Christ with a crown of thorns fashioned from iron wire. “A rich array of techniques and mediums keeps me constantly motivated and heightens my creativity.” She says. “I welcome artistic challenges.”

Linda Corbin of Shédiac likes the challenge of giving new life to an old tradition by using recycled materials. She says, it is “a noble way of savoring the adventure that is creativity.” Her window from a church in Lemèque shows an intricate border framing three vertical panels. The center panel shows the standing silhouette of Mary praying. “Rug hooking is a way to express my emotions well beyond words,” she says. It elevates her into a meditative state which transports me into my imagination.”

A University of Moncton graduate, Line Godbout retired from a career in the federal government and immersed herself in the arts. Her rug is a classic design of a dove flying above a cross and two fishes beneath it. She is the cultural manager for the group and is proud to “participate in the transmission of this great heritage of our ancestors.”

Annie Richard’s love of color is evident in her rug’s rich red and beautiful abstract design. Since she started to hook 13 years ago, she has made more than 600 rugs and a large tapestry, many featuring her interest in landscapes, wharves and outdoor scenes. A lifelong gardener, she says, “flowers provide a rich source of inspiration for my designs.”

“Textiles offer interesting creative possibilities,” says Lynn Losier of Moncton, who prefer to use natural fibers. “I choose with care when it comes to the colors and textures that will shape my hooked rugs.” Her pale beige and ivory rendering of the church in Saint-Isadore where her parents were married reconnects tradition with a surprisingly modern work.

Photo by Richard Moskow.

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We are famous south of the border, at least in Boston, Mass!

2012-01-14T04:12:00.000-08:00

http://openmediaboston.org/node/2094

Check out this article, proud of my fellow hookers in our group Les Hookeuses du Bor' de' lo ... Nice to know that there is recognition of our group in other countries!!

Vernissage at Capitol Theatre, Les Hookeuses du Bor'de'lo

2011-06-27T08:49:00.000-07:00

LONG OVERDUE FOR UPDATING BLOG ...

2011-03-13T06:29:00.000-07:00

I have been very slack in updating my blog! Where does time go??? I did a bit of painting in the fall to replace art at Resto MaGiCo in Shediac. One of the paintings I have since sent to a friend, Michelle, in Toronto ... she saw it on facebook and fell in love with it (Lady in Blue)! I have also been working away on a 36 x 36 abstract rughooking and silmultaneously hibernating. We have had a wicked winter in terms of snow storms. They just kept coming one after the other. We hit record highs for snowfall accumulation in this area for the month of February. It was hard getting around and traveling the roads, which in turn meant that I was forced to stay put and work away at my rughooking!! This will be in an exhibit with "Les Hookeuses du Bor 'de 'lo" at the Capital Theatre, Moncton this coming July and August. I will post pics when I complete the rug as I am 3/4 way done! The days that we could venture out on the roads I managed to take in some skiing with the kids ... March Break is coming to a close and with that brings sunshine and melting temps!!

Summer Art, latest rughooking and journal project

2010-07-21T04:48:00.000-07:00

Summer is in full swing and taking in all that it has to offer here in the beautiful Maritimes! Spending as much time outside as possible with my children and therefore not getting as much done in the Art department! However, I did manage to finish off a rughooking that I had been working on most of the winter months. My children and I prepared another series of journals for the Ronald McDonald House in Halifax and delivered these in July. I presented the journal project to the Ronald McDonald House a few years ago and most generous local artists also participated! I am off to Ontario and Quebec to be inspired by their beautiful landscapes ... perhaps the outcome of my travels this summer will transfrom into some artform this coming winter ...

VERNISSAGE AT CURIO ANTIQUES GALLERY

2010-05-17T04:33:00.000-07:00

All are welcome to attend the Vernissage/Art Opening at the new Gallery at Curio Antiques in Shediac Cape this coming Thursday, May 20th at 5 pm. I have three of my rughookings at this gallery. Curio Antiques is located at: 3367 Route 134 Shediac Cape, New Brunswick. For those of you who know the area it is between Gilbert's Corner and the Shediac Cape School!

PAINTING THE BLUES, LIVE BAIT THEATRE, SACKVILLE, NB

2010-05-07T06:52:00.000-07:00

I will be on site with my art at the PAINTING THE BLUES event at the Live Bait Theatre in Sackville, NB on Saturday, May 8th, 7 pm

www.sackville.com/calendar/event/5578/

WHERE TO BUY MY ART!

2010-05-03T06:04:00.000-07:00

I've been busy of late delivering my art to various locales in the greater Shediac and Moncton areas. Here is a list of where to find my paintings and rug hookings for sale:

Paintings at:

Resto Ma-Gi-Co, 344 Main Street, Shediac, New Brunswick
Inn Thyme, 310 Main Street Shediac, New Brunswick
Urbano, 264 Botsford Street, Moncton, New Brunswick

Rug Hookings at:

Curio Antiques, Gallery, 3367 Route 134, Shediac Cape, New Brunswick

"Missing in Action"

2010-03-24T08:31:00.000-07:00

I am so long overdue for an update here after being absent from my blog for 5 months ... where or where does time go? I've been rather busy of late with rughooking. A couple of pieces are in the works and when completed I will certainly try to remember to post pics of these!! "Try" being the key word here. Just too much on the go. The first Tuesday of each month (winter months) Marielle hosts a "hook in" in Grande Digue. I am on site there as well giving my limited advice/experience as a novice "hooker". This is a very relaxed and informal venue ... if you want to give rug hooking a whirl, contact me via e-mail ...

I also joined forces with Marielle Poirier during her atelier at the Journee de la femme event a Notre Centre de Grande-Digue (Institut feminin District Richard). Marielle gave her intro to rug hooking talk as I hooked on site. We had a combination of our works for students to view in a make shift gallery!! A great group of ladies were on hand for a very informative and interactive day.

For those of you who understand and read the French language here is a poem to honor women on Womens Day ...

FEMME

L'autre sexe te dit mysterieuse,
incomprehensible, secrete, enigmatique,
capricieuse, meme ... douillette!

Oui! Et ... dramatique, comique,
passionnante, attirante, sympathique,
charmante, dynamique et accueillante.

Egalement sociable, serviable dans un mot:
incomparable!

Il faudrait surtout leur dire qu'ayant porte le
monde avec son corps et son coeur la femme
d'une complexite feconde est surtout sensible
telle ... une fleur.

2009-10-05T07:16:00.000-07:00

Painting in progress ... I'm rather frustrated with this one and feeling that its never finished! One should never be totally satisfied with one's art, for one would never want to continue creating ... words of wisdom for the day ...

2009-10-05T07:12:00.000-07:00

This was a "nude" I had painted a few years ago and sold at Jonelle's salon in Shediac ... I would like to attempt painting a series of nudes ... stay tuned for progress report!!

Visit to AGO ... Art Gallery of Ontario

2009-09-25T12:42:00.000-07:00

This past summer my eldest daughter and I while on a trip to my native Toronto managed to work in a visit to the AGO (Art Gallery of Ontario). Seeing as my daughter was presented the 'ARTIST OF THE YEAR' award at school I thought she would enjoy seeing some of these famous paintings up close and personal!! We had a private guided tour with my brother in law David!! We were in awe of the original art by The Group of Seven, Emily Carr, Andy Warhol, etc. etc. The architecture and new design of the Gallery is simply superb ...

PASCAL POIRIER HOUSE, SHEDIAC

2009-09-10T15:49:00.000-07:00

I will be hosting the exhibit of rug hookings from Les Hookeuses Bor'de'lo on September 11th from 11 am to 3 pm with Marielle Poirier. We will be "hooking" on site! Please drop by for a visit ...

PAINTING DONATED TO HELP RAISE FUNDS FOR SEARS NATIONAL KIDS CANCER RIDE

2009-06-24T05:18:00.000-07:00

I ended up donating this painting to Monique Mills (colleague of Duncan's) who is cycling across Canada to help raise funds for the Sears National Kids Cancer Ride ... She was inspired by Stewart during a day when she, Duncan, Stewart and many of their colleagues went on a canoe run ... this was during Stewart's intense chemo treatments ... this painting was part of a basket that she sold tickets on and raffled off to help raise funds for this very worthwhile cause ... MERCI BEAUCOUP MONIQUE!! Here are a few pics of Stewart meeting up with Monique and cylcling alongside of her in Salisbury.

2009-05-08T09:59:00.000-07:00

This painting 'VINEYARD HARVEST' I have donated to the RBC Silent Auction for the IWK Childrens Hospital in Halifax ... stay tuned for the date of that auction!! Sorry, the Auction has come and gone ... I had intended on notifying everyone of the date ... just too much on the go ... but I have an update and it brought in $200 at the auction!!!!

2009-05-08T09:53:00.000-07:00

The client wanted more added to the painting ... see previous post .... commission work is always challenging and this is not my typical style of work ... it has metamorphosized into a bit of me and a bit of my client ...

COMMISSION PAINTING IN THE COLLECTION OF JACKIE LEGER

2009-04-15T05:51:00.000-07:00

This is my latest painting for a friend. Jackie wanted something for her dining room, which involved baguettes, wheat, grapes and a basket ... VOILA ... she loved it!!

I have also been asked to donate a painting to the upcoming RBC silent auction which will raise funds for the IWK Childrens Hospital in Halifax.

NEXT PAINTING SUBJECT, ORCHID

2009-03-26T07:08:00.000-07:00

I will attempt painting this beautiful orchid, that blooms in my kitchen window ... I asked a friend, Alberto, what would he like for his new office space in Toronto ... and an Orchid is what he prefers in a floral painting! I will post my work in progress ... stay tuned ...

MORE ARTWORK MARCH 2009

2009-03-24T11:39:00.000-07:00

Chinese Lanterns in Vase SOLD at RestoMaGiCo in Shediac, July 2009

Complimentary florals (small canvases) SOLD

at RestoMaGiCo in Shediac, April 2010

AND YET MORE PAINTINGS CREATED MARCH 2009

2009-03-24T05:28:00.000-07:00

LILACS IN VASE

I painted this in hopes that Spring will soon arrive in the Maritimes, but we are in the midst of a storm as I type this!!

2009-03-13T11:08:00.000-07:00

"REUNION" commissioned painting for Dr. Mireille Charest LeBlanc
Acrylic, two toned, unbleached titanium and raw umber
March 13, 2009

Rug Hooking Projects encore ... and latest painting ...

2009-03-07T06:01:00.000-08:00

Rug Hooking Projects Completed

2009-02-24T08:22:00.000-08:00

Large rug hooking titled "HOPE" ... yellow flower created with material from my son Stewart's Relay for Life survivor t-shirt ... he is a survivor!!!!

Rug Hooking Projects Completed

2009-02-24T08:17:00.000-08:00

Pillow project for Les Hookeuses Bor'de'lo

Peat Moss Flora

Design Adapted from Photograph

2009-01-12T15:15:00.000-08:00

I attended my friend, Pauline Bleakney's vernissage at the Moncton Public Library on January 6th. I was well attended by many of Pauline's friends and relatives. A very nice light lunch was served, but once again no vino!! Her art will be on display for the month of January. Drop by and check out her latest work. After mingling with all of her guests Pauline was starving so off to Cafe Archibald we did go for a scrumptious dinner crepe and a desert crepe to finish off the meal!

2008-10-26T14:26:00.001-07:00

Thursday evening I attended the vernissage for ART HITS THE WALL exhibit at the Mary Black Gallery in Halifax (near Pier 21). My art design/painting was incorporated in a rug hooking by Marielle Poirier. Marielle and I were chauffeured to and from Halifax by Jean-Guy ... merci Jean-Guy ... you are a very patient man being able to travel 6 hours in a car with 2 2 women chatting away! The exhibit runs from October 23rd to December 21st. If you happen to be in the Halifax area please go and check out the exhibit. The other textile art that was also part of a juried selection and created by various maritime artists was thought provoking/inspirational!!

It's official ... I'm a hooker (as in rug hooking)!!

2008-10-16T17:30:00.000-07:00

I have joined a group of rug hookers, les Hookeuses du Bor'de'lo' in Shediac! My friend Marielle has pimped me (so to speak)!?!? I attended a meeting hier soir and showed off my portfolio of work (all of 2 rugs) ... my fellow hookers were quite impressed. I left the meeting with a project in hand that will be exhibited this coming summer in the Acadien Peninsula. I'll keep you posted as to how my project is progressing. This is a nice deviation from painting. I love working with different fabrics and the idea of using recycled clothing lends itself to being friendly to the environment ... all good!!

FOOD IS ART ...

2008-10-08T11:19:00.000-07:00

Thanksgiving is upon us and how did that happend so quickly ... i am scrambling to harvest my veggie garden, pumpkin patch! Food always tastes so much better knowing that you have grown the ingredients yourself. I whipped up a shrimp & leek pasta dish hier soir. Just to give you and idea of what my kitchen/studio looks like ... here is my latest canvas all primed and ready for???? I must set aside time to create, but feeding my family is obviously a priority ... starving artist takes on a whole new meaning here!! Happy thanksgiving to all my friends and family out there. May you be surrounded by good friends, family, food and a great bottle of vino! xoxo

MAGNUM OPUS, OPENING/VERNISSAGE, MONCTON LIBRARY

2008-10-02T18:59:00.000-07:00

On Wednesday I attended the Magnum Opus vernissage with my friend/artiste Amber Lounder. It was a nice event and sponsored by RBC Securities and McKelvey, Stirling Law Firm. Amber's work is amongst the work on display. Hors d'oeurves were plentiful, but lacking on the vino ... cheap sponsors. LOL Well it twas noon hour. The tea just was not cutting it. Looking forward to the upcoming Gala Art Auction at the Delta Beausejour on Oct. 26th. I am certain that Amber's piece will bring in big mullah for the benefit. Check out her work at: visual literacy.blogspot.com (photo from Grande-Digue Tea, May 2008, Amber et Sharon)

HAND PAINTED PURSES

2008-09-14T06:15:00.000-07:00

There is a possibility I will be a vendor at the Moncton Farmers Market or Dieppe Farmers Market this fall ... checking out the availability of booths at both this week ... I'll keep you posted ... my lastest creation ... hand painted purses!

MY ART DESIGN ... MARIELLE'S RUG HOOKING ... MARY BLACK GALLERY, HALIFAX, NS

2008-09-10T17:01:00.000-07:00

This is my art design that Marielle Poirier used for a rug hooking. She submitted an application to the ART HITS THE WALL exhibit at the Mary Black Gallery in Halifax ... it was a juried selection ... and it's been accepted! We are both so excited for the upcoming vernissage on October 23rd.

FALLEN LEAVES

2008-09-10T16:10:00.000-07:00

The natural autumn colours are so rich and forever changing ...

SAUGENAY RIVER, QUEBEC

2008-09-10T16:03:00.000-07:00

1/4 SUNFLOWER ... SOLD

2008-09-10T15:35:00.000-07:00

Fall is my favourite time of year ... perhaps this is why I am obsessed with sunflowers!

SMALL SUNFLOWER ... SOLD @ RESTO-MA-GI-CO, SHEDIAC

2008-09-10T15:32:00.000-07:00

This was a very small 10 x 14 " ... very muted colours ... my colours!

RED PETALS ... SOLD @ JONELL MITCHELL'S SALON

2008-09-10T15:30:00.000-07:00

My Parents ... "Fred et Hetty"

2008-09-10T15:25:00.000-07:00

I was inspired to paint this image in memory of my wonderful Dad ... SOLD at Resto-Ma-Gi-Co in Shediac ... I hesitated to sell it as there is an emotional attachment here ... but I'm told never to get attached to one's own paintings ... still it was hard ... I appreciate that someone out there will get pleasure hanging this on their wall!

DANCE REHEARSAL

2008-09-10T15:20:00.000-07:00

SOLD at Resto-Ma-Gi-Co in Shediac

CHINESE LANTERNS ... art classes with Cathy Lindfield, Dieppe, N.B.

2008-09-10T15:16:00.000-07:00

2008-09-10T15:08:00.000-07:00

This is one of my first paintings ... it reminds me of St. Adele, Quebec where I spent time with my family during the xmas season many years ago ... my mother has it on her wall in her retirement home! Mom was my inspiration in that she painted and enjoyed art ... it's in my blood!

2008-09-10T15:03:00.000-07:00

2008-09-10T14:59:00.000-07:00

My attempt at Monet's Winter Barn Scene!

2008-09-10T14:56:00.000-07:00

SNOW COVERED TREES AT SUNSET ...

I donated this painting to my husband's office xmas fundraiser (2009). The ticket sales brought in over $250.00 which in turn was donated to Moncton Headstart Foodbank.

WINTER SCENES - ACRYLIC PAINTINGS

2008-09-10T14:46:00.000-07:00

This is a Quebec Winter Scene ... somewhere in the Laurentians!

I have donated this painting to the RBC Silent Auction for the IWK Childrens Hospital, 2010!

2008-09-10T14:39:00.000-07:00

I am learning an "old" art, but yet new to me ... rug hooking. My friend Marielle got me started on this fabric art and no pun intended but I'm "hooked". I'm considering joining a local "Hookers Group" in Shediac. This is work in progress as I must complete the background!