Why I Make Hooked Rug Portraits I like soft, fluffy, cuddly things. I want to put more soft, fluffy, cuddly things into the world. I come from Newfoundland, where there is a rich tradition of rug hooking. When I create a hooked rug, I feel connected to generations of Newfoundland women who came before me. I love this feeling. I also love that I can make a rug using tools that are not very different from the ones my ancestors would have used- a simple wooden frame and a metal hook. My rugs are portraits- of people who have been important to me, who have had an effect on my life. Mostly they are portraits of the folks that I love. It makes me feel happy to use line and texture and colour to try to capture the spirit of someone I love. I like to think about them while I work. Sometimes I even incorporate pieces of their old clothing into the portrait! Really, my rugs are all about expressing my love of living, and my gratitude for the gifts I have been given- in the shapes of my funny, sweet, endearing and interesting friends, family, and lovers!! I have been drawn to textile arts since I was a little girl. When I was in art college I tried many different textile arts techniques. I was terrible at them!! Weaving, screen printing, sewing- these crafts are quite detail-oriented. I am not a detail-oriented person!!! When I tried rug hooking I loved it right away. It suits me. It is a simple technique that you can do so much with. I like the repetitive process of the craft. While I work on a rug I can talk with a friend, or watch a film, or listen to music. I like how I can lay down my frame if something comes up and then later just pick up where I left off. Also, I like how if I make a mistake, I can just pull it out! I care about the earth very much. I would not feel good about creating art with new materials. I like hooked rugs because I can make them using almost entirely reclaimed materials! I use old burlap coffee bags as the base. I hook with my old clothing and old polar fleece sweaters I find from thrift stores. (The only new materials I use are the staples I need to attach the burlap to the frame, and the thread I use to bind the finished rug. If anyone has any ideas for reclaimed alternatives, please let me know!) Many things influence my art: banjos, farmers markets, kitties…. I could list my inspirations for hours. Two of my main influences are comic books and children’s picture books. I am a library nerd and am always finding new treasures! The main comic book artist who has influenced me is James Kochalka. The main kid’s book illustrator is Laura Levine. Look them up!! I am not super precious with my art. Sometimes I hang my hooked rugs on walls and sell them. But I also keep some of them and use them in my daily life. They are great to have naps on, with the cat. They are also great to have sex on! Woo hoo! What’s next for me? I want to continue to make hooked rug portraits. My style is becoming less cartoony and folk arty, and more realistic. I still use wild colours, though! I am planning on starting to create portraits of mythical or historical figures that are important to me. I also hope to begin incorporating my queer and feminist values more obviously into my work. I would like to create images of pregnant women and breast-feeding women. And images of queer sex. Yay! I’ll keep you posted! Love Margaret Magdalene Forsey oxoxoxoxoxo April 2009 Ps: I also dance, perform, and make sock monkeys!