DESCRIPTION:
This retreat will focus on bringing real animals to life as well as the unique animal forms that are found in Haida art.
The native Haida people from the islands off British Columbia, Canada developed an exceptional form of art and craftsmanship. Their animal art is a statement of social identity, or reminders of rights and prerogatives bestowed on their ancestors by supernatural beings, or of lessons taught to them through mythic encounters with the animals or other beings whose likenesses were embodied in the crests passed down through generations.
Students will have several options for their project. One concept for students would be to hook a real animal such as a wolf and then creating its Haida image as a different form of reflection. Alternatively you could do a Haida depiction of several animals combined into perhaps a geometric or circular pattern. And yet another option would be a single focus on just a realistic or a Haida animal.
Each day, there will be presentations of subjects including Faces, Fur and Feathers. Jon will also cover topics like - How to create the illusion of depth - Effective use of color and The Haida culture.
The concepts being taught are to create realistic detailed images and therefore the student should consider the amount of detail desired and base the pattern size and cut size to be used to achieve that level of detail. Small patterns would therefore best be hooked in a # 3 or 4 cut and large patterns can easily accommodate # 6 to 8 cut with effective detail.
Jon's teaching style is rather laid back and encouraging. Students are welcome to bring their own designs on their own backing, a purchased pattern, or alternatively, have Jon create a pattern for you from a provided photograph or based on a desired concept. Please note - this is not a design or drawing class. Students may bring their own hooking material or request that Jon custom dye wool for their project.