Designs hooked by Ruth

Painting with Wool

A personal account

My eye has always been keenly drawn to the realistic. From the first moment I picked up a hook my passion has been the fine detail. I do so enjoy the process of placing loops for a realistic look whether in portraits, pictorials or flowers. Painting with wool can take many forms. In my world it involves hooking with a fine cut in #2, 3 and 4 to recreate an image, either from a photo, drawing or painting. The renowned Artist, Mary Pratt, has said, “To find a truth in yourself surely you must start with the exactness of the image”.  In my Portraits course I use her philosophy as an exercise. For the students it is the “very act of looking closely”. The challenge is creatively translating the image before them into a hooked rug.  

I began hooking portraits a few years ago and knew I was at home with this specialty. While I am hooking a face I am truly living in the moment, consumed by the image and the emotional connection I feel for my subject. It is an intensely personal experience. Surrounded by swatches and bits of wool, matching colours,  trying this and that, I feel utter peace and contentment.