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“Pattern Application Methods - Design and Transfer” Lecture & Demonstration with Leonard Feenan

Date: Evening - Thursday, August 16, 2012 – 6:30 - 9:30 p.m. Class Fee: $25.00 / Members $23.00 Kit Fee: $20.00 - payable to teacher at the beginning of class Location: Founder’s Hall – Stage Left     Leonard’s Website: www.theburningartist.com Description: Leonard is an artist who has worked in many mediums. While working with Mary Sheppard Burton, he began turning his artwork into rug patterns, most notably the 3-dimensional “Noah’s Ark” project. During this class, he will walk you through the basic steps from the initial concept, to the art of design, and finally the transfer of the design onto backing ready to be hooked.  We will cover the basics of design, inspirational ideas, designs from photos, portraits, use of computers, creating paper patterns, use of light tables, red dot or screening techniques, stencils and different backings, and finally, a freehand drawing demonstration directly to backing.   Every rug design begins as an idea in the mind. Half of the battle of creating a rug is getting that idea onto the backing. Leonard will discuss the various design application or transfer methods to use on the different types of backing foundation. Each backing has its own challenges and he will share his tips and techniques.  If you have ever wanted to design your own rug, but didn’t know where to start, Leonard will simplify the steps and techniques to give you the confidence you need to give it a try. This is a hands-on class and students will be able to practice the design and transfer techniques. Level:  No Experience Necessary.  Everyone welcome, no prior rug hooking or design knowledge or experience required. Although there will be advanced methods discussed, Leonard's goal is to inspire every artist, no matter what the skill level, to step outside of their creative box and achieve better results. Kit description:  Handouts, pattern pencil, permanent markers, stencil cutter, sketch paper, and piece of blank rug warp. Students Need to Bring: Although a piece of blank rug warp will be provided for practice, it is recommend that you bring a piece of backing (of your preference, one you are accustomed to hooking), and a human or pet photo (as an inspiration for designing a pattern on your own backing). Bio: With the two exceptions of Faux and Decorative painting classes, Leonard has never been formally trained as an artist. His work has been a lifetime of the pursuit of learning and self- taught techniques. He is inspired by wildlife and the beauty of the creations all around us and sees potential for art in just about everything. He does not limit himself to any one medium or subject, but instead chooses to challenge himself with each project. He describes his talent as that which is not of his own making, but rather a gift.  Pyrography is Leonard's specialty. He hasspent 12 years refining this medium and he is known as 'The Burning Artist'.  Pyrography is fire graphics or burning art onto wood or paper substrates. Leonard's work is untypically large for pyrography and the largest of these has been 24” x 36” full coverage.  Like rug hooking, burning art is very time consuming and tedious. Leonard specializes in people, pet, and wildlife portraits. He converted his recent burn, 'Mothers Comfort' into a rug pattern, which is now being taught in workshops by Judy Carter.  Making textile patterns is a newer medium to him, acquired over the last six years during the very special time he worked with Mary Sheppard Burton. “Inspiring other artists to always to be creative and go outside of their comfort zone” was the most important principal he learned from Mary. He counts this most important higher learning as a specialty, and owes thanks to Mary. Specialty: Pyrography (fire graphics or burning art onto wood or paper) portraits of people, pets and wildlife, and designing hooked rug patterns. [return to workshop listing]

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