On Sunday, donnah mentioned that she was hooking a rug for her youngest son, and the next thing we knew, people were asking about this rug or that rug that she has mentioned before. I asked donnah how she would feel about being featured in Celebrating Jackals, and she graciously agreed to tell us more about rug hooking and share some more of her rugs with us.
I’ll let donnah tell us all about it – how she got started, how she makes her designs, and all sorts of other things – in her own words. But first I’ll share the one that makes me tear up every time I see it. Various rugs hooked by donnah will be sprinkled throughout the post, in no particular order.
Semper Fi, Always Faithful 2019
*****
The Fine Art of Rug Hooking, by donnah
Hello, fellow Jackals!
I’ve been reading Balloon Juice for a lot of years and love the camaraderie and support here. I’ve found that BJ is welcoming and friendly even when the politics get heated. I learn a lot here, and it always feels like home.
Watergirl, a force of Nature, invited me to share some of my artwork and I jumped at the chance. I’m always working to promote the art that I create because so little is known about it and because it’s a really amazing medium.
No Greater Love 2017
I’ve been an artist all my life. My second grade art teacher told my mother that I had talent, and I have hung onto that as my validation. I’ve done drawing, painting, sculpture, and had a stencil design business. A friend suggested rug hooking, which I dismissed at first, but grew more interested as I saw more examples of what can be done. I’ve been at it for almost twenty years now and it’s my favorite means of artistic expression.
Native American Boy 2010
So, I make traditional hooked wool rugs. Like quilts, they got their start as a simple way to use up old fabric to make something useful. Early hooked rugs were decorative, but they were not considered to be fine art. Now modern hooked rugs are still made with the same basic tools: a hook, a frame, scissors, and wool fabric. But they’ve come a long way.
Steampunk Reverie 2014
I draw all of my own patterns and also draw patterns to sell. I design them on tracing paper and transfer the drawing to a linen backing with a permanent marker. I choose my color palette and go to my wool shelves to get the colors I need. I also dye wool for each project and also sell it to my students.
Christopher Robin and Pooh 2018
Mother Goose 2015
Once those decisions are made, I use a special fabric cutting device that looks like a pasta cutting machine and I cut up narrow strips of wool. Once those are cut and sorted, I stretch the linen pattern over a wood frame with rug gripper strips on four sides. I’m ready to go at that point, and I hold the strip of wool under the linen and use the hook to reach down through the linen to catch the wool and pull up a loop.
The Alzheimer’s Rug 2012
Veterans Day 2010
Then it’s just loop after loop, strip after strip until the surface is filled. When the rug is all hooked, I turn under the edges and whip them with wool yarn to complete it.
Now I travel and teach all over the country, mostly rug hooking guilds and rug schools. I wrote a small guidebook for rug hooking and a larger book about my rug hooking techniques. I’ve been published in Rug Hooking Magazine as well. I’ve met wonderful people and seen amazing hooked pieces. It’s a life I could never have predicted for myself, but I can say it’s been challenging, rewarding, and fun.
*****
Have I mentioned yet that I am blown away by donnah’s talent?
You can find more of donnas’s amazing work on her website:
Donna has done a rug for each of her 3 sons. Except she won’t let them have the rugs! Not yet, anyway. We’ll let her tell us about that in the comments.
Nick@Night 2016
Steampunk Michael 2017
The Gamer 2020
donnah
Wow! Thanks so much, Watergirl! It makes me proud to see my work shown in a venue like this one. I’m very grateful for your wonderful skill in assembling a lovely post for me.
I hope everyone will enjoy the show. My rugs come straight from my heart and I hope they touch yours.
Donna
Wanderer
Very beautiful work. So thoughtful.
Dorothy A. Winsor
These are gorgeous. I’m particularly struck by Mother Goose and the ones for your sons.
I love that rug hooking is now considered an art form. I think that’s true of fiber arts in general. They’re a feminine art form and have been undervalued. Back when I used to go to WisCon (a feminist scifi con), they usually had a fiber circle going, a place people could sit and knit or whatever. And the folks at Ravelry banned patterns and products with Trump associations.
Palindrome
Amazing! I’ve never seen that kind of detail in a hooked rug. Just beautiful.
Emma from FL
Amazing stuff. Just amazing. You are incredibly talented. do I remember reading that Steampunk Michael is one of your sons?
zhena gogolia
donnah, you are a genius artist.
Fair Economist
Such amazing art! Any of them would just compel attention in a room.
Bostondreams
These are simply beautiful!
Di
Amazing! I wish I could just even draw as beautifully as you hook rugs.
MelissaM
These are amazing, and I can’t even begin to imagine the work involved! Donnah, how much time does an average one take? And how much time went in to one of your son’s hookings?
EmbraceYourInnerCrone
These are absolutely amazing, the details are just phenomenal.
dnfree
I have seen hooked rugs, but never art having this degree of detail. I’m going to share the post with artist friends. Thank you for sharing and Watergirl for coming up with the idea.
donnah
Thanks! Yes, rug hooking is a dying art and most of us who make them are older women. Rug hooking has organized chapters and schools; one here in the US is the Pearl McGown School where one can study under a series of teachers. I am self-taught and have done well as an artist.
We have some very talented men who make hooked rugs, several of whom are teachers as well. As a group, we reach out to younger artists to help keep rug hooking alive. It’s a niche market, but it’s as fun and challenging a medium as you will ever find.
And yes, Steampunk Michael is my middle son. He showed up at a family reunion with muttonchops, and I knew he had to be a Steampunk submarine captain. Why not?
JPL
Your work has always amazed me and you capture such spirit. I love the sparkle in The Gamer‘s eyes, and I imagine there is a story to told about that.
Booger
IT’S A DOGTAG! OMG. These are all amazing.
MazeDancer
Glorious! Just spectacular work, donnah!
BellyCat
Completely smitten by your work, donnah!
Kristine
Those are amazing!
donnah
@Booger: Yay for you noticing that the Semper Fi rug is shaped like a dog tag. I’ve had a lot of people ask why there was a hole in the rug, so I’m glad you got it.
The time it takes me to make a rug varies. It depends on the size, complexity of the design, and how much time I have in between teaching workshops. I hook pretty fast, for what it’s worth. Brandon’s rug, The Gamer, is one that I started May 22 and finished two weeks ago. It measures 24” by 30”. So that’s fast, but hey, being quarantined does have advantages!
Emma from FL
@donnah: He looks like quite a character. It’s one of the things I most admire in your work. Personality comes through very well.
WaterGirl
@Booger: @donnah:
That was my reaction when I first saw it. I teared up as soon as I saw this particular rug, just beautiful and so touching. Hmm, there’s a hole in the side, I wonder what that’s for, it must be for hanging, but why would it hang sideways, and she rounded the edges, that’s interesting… oh my god, it’s a dogtag!
Genius. And then the tears started rolling down my cheeks.
donnah
@Emma from FL:
Oh, he’s a character all right. He is very intelligent and he loves board games, for strategies and for problem solving. In his rug, he’s holding game cards that are flying away. He’s actually in the process of designing his own card game, and guess who’s doing the illustrations… wink, wink. i can’t wait to see how they turn out.
Villago Delenda Est
Donnah: Beautiful! Thank you for sharing both the images, and the mad skills with others!
pat
The expressions on those faces are the most amazing thing. The vet and the granny especially. Wow.
debbie
Each piece is my favorite until I remember the Native American boy (Those eyes! Those cheeks!). This is such an awesome body of work!
Does using wool strips instead of yarn (how I learned back in high school) give you more control over the detail? How thick are your rugs?
Again, just love them all!
raven
Really cool, it sort of reminds me of the thread paintings my bride does.
She said her grandma used to do hook rugs.
rp
So that’s not a euphemism? (but seriously, those are amazing)
Yutsano
WaterGirl, could you possibly e-mail me the picture of the Semper Fidelis rug? I can’t seem to pull it off from Balloon Juice directly. I have more than a few Marines who would love that. Please and thank you!
Amir Khalid
This is art gallery-quality stuff. Just awesome.
JeanneT
These are fantastic! I’m trying to imagine the many steps that are required JUST to get to the point where you start hooking the yarn.
currants
@donnah: These are simply fantastic, donnah! They remind me of badass crossstitch’s work, in some themes, at least. Thoughtful, gorgeous, and so very alive. Thank you!
And exactly what @Amir Khalid said. I’m wondering if/when/where you exhibit, mostly because I saw a call for work here: https://womanmadegallery.submittable.com/submit
TaMara (HFG)
squeee! what a great way to start my day. Love your work! Pooh is my favorite, I think because that’s when I was first introduced to your art.
J.
@donnah: Your rugs are INCREDIBLE! Wow. So much talent. Thank you for sharing them with us.
One of the things I love about Balloon Juice is discovering all sorts of creative people and things.
Here’s to more beauty and less ugliness!
Baquist
Absolutely gorgeous; each is sooo beautiful and you are truly talented.
I recently got into bead work but now have to look into rug hooking. Mr Baquist will not be amused <devilish grin>
Thank you for sharing!!
donnah
@debbie: Thanks, Debbie! I use the long wool strips in 15” lengths, starting with one end, pulling up loops about 1/4” high until the length is all used, then start the next row with another strip. So the rugs are about 1/4”-3/8” high, in pile.
The wool I use is yardage from a bolt, and I buy white wool and dye the colors myself. I’ve also used reclaimed wool from thrift store clothing, but I use very fine cuts for my strips and clothing is often too loosely woven for me.
The strips for more basic rug hooking measure about a quarter inch in width. I hook with strips that are 1/16” of an inch wide, so I get a lot of detail with tiny lines. It takes longer, though.
Raven, I’ve admired your wife’s threadwork in your posts. It’s a beautiful technique and complex. She’s really good!
Tenar Arha
@donnah: Beautiful. Thank you so much for sharing!
West of the Rockies
Holy crime dogs, Donnah! My parents used to enjoy the old hook rug kits, and when I saw this post thought, “Meh, those rugs need their own post?”
But your work is so much more keen and refined! I still have one of my dad’s rugs, which I treasure, but I’m super impressed by yours.
wvng
These are simply outstanding. Your use of color and design would be impressive in a paining, but in fabric its really off the charts.
raven
@donnah: Thanks, she really liked hearing that! She loves yours as well.
arrieve
@Dorothy A. Winsor: Fiber arts are definitely cool now. I’ve been making felt for many years, and have taken it up again in lockdown. It’s very satisfying to make something with your own hands, and wool comes in such pretty colors!
These rugs are on a very different level though. Just gorgeous.
debbie
@donnah:
Yowsa!
rikyrah
These are sooo beautiful.
Works of art.
Made by a true talent :)
hedgehog mobile
Just gorgeous, all of them.
mali muso
WOW! These are simply amazing. I remember doing some yarn “latch hook” crafts as a youngster but this is totally next level. Definitely a work of art.
Another Scott
Beautiful. The love and care really comes through.
Thanks.
Cheers,
Scott.
john b
I know one of your sons from my Dayton days (and recognized him immediately from your rug)!!!
Crazy. Small world.
waratah
Thank you water girl I love donnah’s works of art.
donnah
@mali muso: Thanks!
Yes, latch hook still exists, but it’s quite different from what I do. Latch hook uses a special hook that you use to pull pieces of cut yarn through a mesh backing. I’ve never done it, but lots of folks have made fun and lovely rugs with that technique.
The work I do allows more control, detail and creates a smooth surface of small loops that form the rug. Some rug hookers make rugs that are strictly utilitarian for floors and it’s a good way to use up scraps. But my rugs don’t go on the floor. I have three cats! The rugs would be ruined in five minutes.
donnah
@john b: Well, for heaven’s sake! Did you know Nick? He’s still living downtown and hanging out in the Oregon District. Small world, indeed!
WaterGirl
@waratah: Every so often I have a good idea! :-)
Yutsano
@donnah: I made a request to WaterGirl earlier for the image of the Semper Fidelis rug. I actually was able to get it now by using my laptop. But I won’t share it without your permission and giving you credit. Would you mind if I did so? And do you have a Twitter handle so I can credit you directly there? Thank you so much for all of these but that one is definitively my favourite.
john b
@donnah: the very same! Lived in Oregon District for a while and then South Park (just down the road) after that. Had to move for work, but we loved our time there.
Just Chuck
Beautiful rugs. However, that is a lot of large images on the front page: please be kind to mobile users with slow connections and move the fold up?
WaterGirl
@Yutsano: I already sent you the image, and I checked with donnah first so you are good to go!
Just be sure to credit donnah, using the name I put in the email.
edit: good question on twitter!
WaterGirl
@Just Chuck: I thought of that when I was in bed last night and then forgot to set that up when I got up this morning. Sorry!
done now. :-)
donnah
@Yutsano: Thanks for asking, and you may share the image. My twitter handle is, unsurprisingly, Donnah.
More info is available at my website as well, DonnaHrkmanDesigns.com
drunkenhausfrau
Really gorgeous works! Heirlooms.
donnah
@john b: That’s really cool. I’ll have to tell him he’s been recognized. He calls it The Big Head Rug.
susanna
Donnah, these are amazing, they almost look like paintings when standing back from then. The one with the scientist(?) has rich detail, while the American Indian boy captures a spirit of strength with vulnerability. But they’re all worthy of the praise you must receive.
How fortunate you found this passionate talent in your life and use it for others to enjoy. Thank you!
WereBear
What extraordinary pieces! I loved seeing them.
Brachiator
Very beautiful work. Thanks for sharing it. A nice Friday treat.
I may be getting the type of work mixed up, but a couple of UK panel show members mentioned doing big cross stitch projects while home during lock down. Sounded interesting.
Zelma
Just lovely. An amazing talent.
Just a thought about the impact of teachers. Your second grade teacher recognized your talent and that set you on your life path. Same thing happened to my best friend. Her first grade teacher encouraged her and she ended up with a great career as a medical illustrator. Teachers are special.
Original Lee
Donnah, these are wonderful! Really amazing art in an under appreciated medium. Your photos bring back memories from when I was small.
My mother’s mother was a fabulous master knitter and for a while was part owner of a local yarn shop. When my grandfather was diagnosed with lung cancer and spent his last year in and out of the hospital, he told my grandmother that the clicking of her knitting needles bothered him a lot and he was dreaming about the French Revolution too often for his peace of mind. She switched to hooking rugs, which she later told me helped reduce her stash some. I don’t have any of her rugs that she made during this period, unfortunately. She only continued hooking for a few years after my grandfather died, mostly to use up all of her precut strands. I helped her finish the one she was working on the day he died, which was a deeply emotional couple of weeks for both of us.
I hope your sons and their children will value the ones you have made for them.
Yutsano
@WaterGirl: Ha! No wonder I didn’t see the images! My e-mail decided to list them as junk. Got them now.
@donnah: You actually answered my other question I was gonna ask WaterGirl, which is do you have a website as well? I’ll link both but you’ll see them here momentarily!
Elizabelle
Amazing work, Donna. They will be heirlooms, and people will take care of them for decades upon decades.
Even more work than a quilt.
Elizabelle
@TaMara (HFG): Pooh remains my favorite, too. The real Christopher Robin, with all the little stuffed animals that came to life.
Yutsano
@donnah: It’s been shared. And I hate doing these things because I always forget someone…
Elizabelle
The Native American boy is superb. His face, the light on his cheeks and the planes of his face. Just perfect.
Original Lee
@Original Lee: I should perhaps clarify that it was not latch hooking, it was actual rug hooking. My grandmother was also an amazing seamstress and had a large stash bolts of wool fabric stored in plastic boxes in the spare bedroom so she could make skirts and pants to go with the sweaters she knitted, or covered pillows to go with the afghans she knitted or crocheted.
Other Suzanne
What beautiful work! I wish I had the talent. I can’t even draw a straight line!
Keep up the excellent work!!
japa21
Many years ago, Mrs. Japa and I did some rug hooking. A few of them are still around. Of course, we had patterns to work from and it was still not super easy. I just had her look at these and she was in awe, as was I.
We understand the time it takes just to hook a rug, but to work from scratch, determining design, colors amount of supplies needed is just amazing.
Although she loved them all, the ones that really impacted her were Always Faithful (we have a military son), Alzheimers, Native American Boy and Veterans Day.
SFBayAreaGal
@Booger: I saw that too. I love it’s a dog tag. I wish I could find mine.
WaterGirl
@Yutsano: The website is listed in the post up top.
donnah
@japa21: Thank you! I’m glad you know what rug hooking is like, firsthand. I think the most difficult thing about rug hooking is finding supplies and sources. Thanks to the Internet, at least now you can search for rug hooking info and find demos and suppliers, but unless you know you need, it’s hard to choose.
I love to create rugs that share a message. The Veteran’s Day and Semper Fi always touch people, and more than one person has told me how much they’re moved by the Alzheimer’s rug, which was made in honor of my father-in-law, who died with Alzheimer’s. The message rugs mean the most to me.
FelonyGovt
These are extraordinary, Donnah. The amount of detail, the shading, the personality you capture in each piece are remarkable.
SFBayAreaGal
Donnah, I love what you have created. Thank you for sharing your beautiful art.
Yutsano
@WaterGirl: Because of course it is! A derp, I am.
WaterGirl
@Yutsano: No name-calling allowed. :-)
stinger
Donnah, what I find most remarkable is how well you do both individualized and archetypal designs. Having seen their rugs, I believe I’d now recognize any of your sons if they passed me in the street, while your “message” designs surely speak to the heart of all who see them.
For example, I would LOVE to own the Christopher Robin rug, but if it ever somehow came into my hands I’d know that it was Not For Me, and I’d give it to the UI Children’s Hospital (the one with a 12th-floor “press box” that the football fans rise as one and wave to). So I’m happy to be able to go and look at a picture of it online from time to time!
donnah
@currants: Interesting! I’ve shown my work in a couple of small local galleries and every year my current pieces are included in the Sauder Village Rug Hooking Week in NE Ohio. This Women’s group sounds very cool. I’m going to look into submitting my rugs.
Thanks!
donnah
@stinger: Thank you. I have made arrangements for the Christopher Robin rug to be donated to our downtown public library. I hope it can be displayed in the Children’s section.
When I started hooking it, I knew it was never going to be mine. I hooked it with the intention of donating it to the library where my dad first took me as a child for the first time. The Covid crisis has delayed the donation, but hopefully it happens later this year.
stinger
@donnah: Perfect!
Slwalczak
I first encountered wool strip rug hooking 3 yrs ago in Cheticamp, Nova Scotia at the Elizabeth LeFort gallery in the local museum. She had taken rug hooking to a new level in the first half of the 20th century by copying portraits and works of art. I was enthralled and sought out more examples of the craft, but found none finer than the work you’re doing. The crafting is excellent; the art is so moving and evocative. I’m so glad WaterGirl shared your work. Thank you. (Note to others, Cheticamp is a rug hookers paradise because of LeFort, Canada’s most famous rug hooker. https://www.google.com/search?q=elizabeth+lefort&rlz=1C9BKJA_enUS903US904&oq=eliz&aqs=chrome.0.69i59j69i57j0j69i60j69i65j69i60.2988j0j7&hl=en-US&sourceid=chrome-mobile&ie=UTF-8#imgrc=zu9ToYGIeZtkXM
OzarkHillbilly
Astounding.
Avalune
I’m always very impressed by sort of “domestic” work which utilizes shading and color in this way – to paint with fibers. And doubly so because they are your own creations vs following a pattern (though there isn’t anything wrong with following patterns).
J R in WV
Wonderful work, so talented, so well executed!
My uncle did fabric art, my cousin has a full sized copy he did of Picasso’s Lady in a Mirror over her bed. Took him a long time. It’s a big piece, he kept after it, tho. Your work is better, as good as his was…
Laura Too
These are so beautiful! Thank you for sharing your talent with us. This truly is an extraordinary place.
Tazj
Beautiful