Lorraine Roy

Raised in rural South western Ontario, Lorraine Roy completed a B.Sc. in Horticultural Sciences before opting for a career in art textiles. Originally devoted to hand-embroidery, she later developed a unique form of machine collage that permits her to ‘paint’ with fabric. This technique incorporates a mixture of machine sewing, collage, embroidery and quilting, integrating thousands of bits of fabric and threads with fine transparent tulle and machine stitching. Each piece is one of a kind. Lorraine makes large scale wall pieces on commission, teaches workshops in textile technique, and is a speaker on various topics related to art practice. Her works are featured in collections throughout Canada and abroad. Lorraine shares her home and studio in Dundas with her husband, Janusz Wrobel, fine art photographer.

 For just over 20 years, Lorraine Roy has been working with textiles in non-traditional ways. Originally devoted to hand-embroidery, she later developed a unique form of machine collage that permits her to 'paint' with fabric. By using a unique mixture of techniques like sewing, collage, embroidery and quilting, she integrates thousands of bits of fabric and threads with fine transparent tulle and machine stitching. The sumptuous results combine her passion for science and spirituality while exploring the earthy origins and surprising versatility of fabrics and threads.

All images rights  © Lorraine Roy

Sarah Swett

Sarah Swett spins, knits, laughs, paints and weaves tapestries in her studio in Moscow, Idaho. Her work travels extensively to shows across the country and, in magazines and books, around the world. Her book Kids Weaving, published by Stewart, Tabori and Chang, NY, will be in bookstores in October, 2005.

All images and informations © Sarah Swett

Laura Kenney

Laura is a fibre artist who uses the traditional Nova Scotian craft of rug hooking to create original hand-hooked, hand-dyed, rugs/wall hangings. Laura's work has been described as "whimsical, playful folk art."..."I like that I am keeping with the tradition of rug hooking by drawing my designs on burlap free-hand and using second hand clothing. The clothing comes with an unspoken history which adds to the piece."....Laura's hand-hooked rugs are a link to the past and a hope for the future direction of rug hooking.

Laura lives in a small green house with her husband and 2 children in the town of Truro, Nova Scotia, Canada. She started rug hooking 12 years ago and is quickly gaining recognition in her field.Laura uses primarily second-hand wool clothing to create her rugs: "When you see a bolt of new wool, there's no personality to it. It's not like seeing an old pair of pants or skirt and thinking of the person who would've worn them -- there is always a story to that. Also, I like using found material as it kept with the tradition of using what you had."

Laura's designs show everyday objects, but with a whimsical touch. Her series of dresses, that seem to show personality, with or without the wearer attached, allow Laura to experiment with colour and pattern.

In 2010, Laura was awarded juried status with the Nova Scotia Designer Craft Council and has shown her work at shops and galleries throughout the province.

 

All images and informations © Laura Kenney