Artist Statement
I have long had an interest in photography and over the years came to specialize in textures, angles, lines, shapes and colours. I wanted to do something more with my photography, and quite by accident I discovered rug hooking. I use my original photographs to create one of a kind hooked wall hangings. I have a strong background in knitting, crochet, and fine stitching such as bargello, embroidery, stumpwork and hardanger. Over the years my work has evolved from simply recreating my photos to tapestries, to adding embellishments which gives depth and texture to my pieces using various yarns, beads and appliqué techniques.
Biography
Originally from St. Stephen, New Brunswick, I have been fortunate to have lived in several provinces and territories in Canada. I have recently moved to Newfoundland and Labrador and have a studio in Pouch Cove.
I have been a photographer for over 30 years and came to specialize in textures, angles, lines, shapes and colours. I have developed my technical skills as a photographer through university and community college photography courses, and workshops with several professional photographers including Courtney Milne and Andre Gallant.
I have had several photography exhibits from Iqaluit, Nunavut to St. John, New Brunswick and participated in several group exhibits as a rug hooking artist. I was Rug Hooking Artist of the year at the Hooked Rug Museum of North America in 2017.
I have been published both as a photographer and as a rug hooking artist in local newspapers and the Rug Hooking Magazine.
I have been published both as a photographer and as a rug hooking artist in local newspapers and the Rug Hooking Magazine.
I have sold my work at local markets and special events and have completed several
commission pieces. I wanted to do something more with my photography, and quite by accident I discovered rug hooking. I use my original photographs to create one of a kind hooked wall hangings. I took a beginner rug hooking course from Erin McKenna in New Brunswick (2013). Since then I have taught myself new techniques and explored a variety of materials to add dimension to my work.
commission pieces. I wanted to do something more with my photography, and quite by accident I discovered rug hooking. I use my original photographs to create one of a kind hooked wall hangings. I took a beginner rug hooking course from Erin McKenna in New Brunswick (2013). Since then I have taught myself new techniques and explored a variety of materials to add dimension to my work.
Exhibits
• Craft Council NL Member exhibit 2021, 2022
• Millbrook Cultural Centre, “Hooked on Micmaq Art”, Group exhibit (2018) Ganongs Chocolate Box Covers Rug Hooking group exhibit St. Stephen, St. Andrews, Ax Gallery in Sussex, New Brunswick (2017) now on permanent display at the Hooked Rug
Museum of North America in Hubbards, Nova Scotia.
• Marigold Cultural Centre, Swoon Gallery, “Art Squared” Group exhibit (2016)
• Fibre Arts Network Exhibit Andrew and Laura McCain Art Gallery Group exhibit (2014)
• Playhouse Theatre Fredericton, New Brunswick, Group Photography Exhibit, Photography
Club, (2008, 2009)
• Fredericton Public Library, Fredericton, New Brunswick, Solo Photography Exhibit
• John Fisher Memorial Museum, Kingston, New Brunswick, Solo Photography Exhibit
“Backroads of New Brunswick”, (2012)
• Nunatta Sunakkutaangit Museum, Iqaluit, Nunavut, Solo Photography Exhibit “Along the
Shores of Nunavut” (2005)
• Craft Council NL Member exhibit 2021, 2022
• Millbrook Cultural Centre, “Hooked on Micmaq Art”, Group exhibit (2018) Ganongs Chocolate Box Covers Rug Hooking group exhibit St. Stephen, St. Andrews, Ax Gallery in Sussex, New Brunswick (2017) now on permanent display at the Hooked Rug
Museum of North America in Hubbards, Nova Scotia.
• Marigold Cultural Centre, Swoon Gallery, “Art Squared” Group exhibit (2016)
• Fibre Arts Network Exhibit Andrew and Laura McCain Art Gallery Group exhibit (2014)
• Playhouse Theatre Fredericton, New Brunswick, Group Photography Exhibit, Photography
Club, (2008, 2009)
• Fredericton Public Library, Fredericton, New Brunswick, Solo Photography Exhibit
• John Fisher Memorial Museum, Kingston, New Brunswick, Solo Photography Exhibit
“Backroads of New Brunswick”, (2012)
• Nunatta Sunakkutaangit Museum, Iqaluit, Nunavut, Solo Photography Exhibit “Along the
Shores of Nunavut” (2005)
Publications
Rug Hooking Magazine
• Painting with a Hook – Jan/Feb 2017
• Prairie Winter – the Challenge of Snow – Nov/Dec 2017
• Lessons Learned by a Rookie Hooker – Jan 2020
• The international Guild of Handhooking Rugmakers (TIGHR)
• Painting with a Hook - March 2015 Newsletter
• Technique to Design – August 2017
Rug Hooking Magazine
• Painting with a Hook – Jan/Feb 2017
• Prairie Winter – the Challenge of Snow – Nov/Dec 2017
• Lessons Learned by a Rookie Hooker – Jan 2020
• The international Guild of Handhooking Rugmakers (TIGHR)
• Painting with a Hook - March 2015 Newsletter
• Technique to Design – August 2017
Markets, Consignments, Special Events
• Craft Council NL, Pantry Gift Shop, 2020 - continuing
• Quiddi Vidi Artisan Studios, Merry Makers 2020, 2021, 2022
• Soapbox Soap Shoppe, Apohaqui, NB 2022
• Kingston Farmers Market 2009-2019
• Cricket Cove St. John NB 2017-2019
• Rug Hooking Museum of North America 2017 – continuing
• Kings County Studio Tour (annual artist event featuring various studios) 2011, 2013-2015
• Blooming Artists 2017, 2018
• Summerville Arts Festival 2018
• Craft Council NL, Pantry Gift Shop, 2020 - continuing
• Quiddi Vidi Artisan Studios, Merry Makers 2020, 2021, 2022
• Soapbox Soap Shoppe, Apohaqui, NB 2022
• Kingston Farmers Market 2009-2019
• Cricket Cove St. John NB 2017-2019
• Rug Hooking Museum of North America 2017 – continuing
• Kings County Studio Tour (annual artist event featuring various studios) 2011, 2013-2015
• Blooming Artists 2017, 2018
• Summerville Arts Festival 2018
Contact Info
Sparrowhawk Rug Hooking Studio
Pouch Cove, NL
709-699-0594
Sparrowhawk Rug Hooking Studio
Pouch Cove, NL
709-699-0594
Facebook: Sparrowhawk-Rug-Hooking-Studio
