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Kate Lamal Retreat 

Having Fun – Hooking Caricatures & Wild Borders!

Portrait of Kate Lamal
Hooking

Kate Lamal
Fairbanks, Alaska
KateLamalDesigns.com

Having Fun – Hooking Caricatures & Wild Borders!

4 Day Retreat: 

Tuesday – Friday, August 13 – 16, 2024
8:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
$450.00 (International/Canadian/U.S. Long Distance Teacher) / $430.00 Sauder Village Members
Heritage Inn – Homestead A


DESCRIPTION:

Caricature - A rendered image showing the features of its subject in a simplified or exaggerated way through sketching, pencil strokes, or other artistic drawings.

The centerpiece of your rug will be a figure doing something they love to do. Kate’s caricatures typically focus on Alaska sports and the outdoors, she calls this series “Girls Just Want To Have Fun.” Your caricature can focus on any activity – like: cooking, riding a motorcycle, flying an airplane, gardening, hiking, etc.

The main figure will have lots of hair, which will be made of wool, yarn or synthetics - so that it protrudes from the backing. Your piece will be framed with a broad, colorful and wild border. The objective is to make this a vibrant, fun project - designed to make the observer SMILE!

You will be working with cuts #4 to #8 wool and embellishments of yarn, synthetics and other trinkets that may add to the overall charm and individuality of your work. When Kate contacts you, you will discuss the central figure and begin color planning. During the retreat, you will receive the design hand-drawn on backing along with the wools you will need.

Through the use of design, embellishment, and unique materials, you will capture yourself or someone special - doing something they love in an original, colorful, contemporary and unique fiber art caricature!

Abstract girl rug hooked by Kate Lamal
Abstract people rug hooked by Kate Lamal


LEVEL: 

Basic - Students must have basic rug hooking knowledge and experience. 


RETREAT PROJECT & SUPPLIES:

The teacher will contact pre-registered students, starting on March 1st, to discuss your retreat project and supplies (to be purchased directly from the teacher). See DESCRIPTION, above, which contains both specific retreat information and project options.


STUDENTS NEED TO BRING: 

Basic hooking supplies: a frame, scissors, cutter, cutter blades # 4 - 8, & a hook. Additional supplies: bring yarn, ribbon or other interesting embellishments for the hair or clothing.

BIO:

Kate taught herself to hook after retiring in 2012. There were no resources in Fairbanks, Alaska - and it was two years before she saw someone else’s work. She built her own frame and used it for several years and multiple rugs before she attended a workshop in Nebraska with her mother. There she was able to try different hooks, see other’s works and discuss the best frames and cutters with the attendees. There was no source of wool in Fairbanks either, so she ordered wool online and taught herself how to dye. The internet is sure useful these days.

Since there were no other hookers in Fairbanks at the time, she started teaching beginning hooking so she could find others who enjoyed rug hooking. She has found her group and they maintain a regular schedule to get together in the winter months.  Nobody sits still in the summer in Fairbanks!

With the help of the Fairbanks Weavers and Spinners Guild she learned how and where to show her work.  The Fairbanks Arts Association hosts many juried shows and Kate has submitted to almost every show available and her work is always accepted.  In addition, she was selected to do a solo show in 2022.  She has shown her work at many First Friday shows and has been a guest artist at a NAMI fundraiser for 8 years.  One of her projects was selected for Celebrations in 2021.

Kate came to Alaska in the early 1980s as an exploration geologist looking for gold. Along with some gold, she found her husband. She has lived in Fairbanks since then in a home filled with south facing windows, a view of the Alaska Range and Denali, and golden retrievers.

Bears rug hooked by Kate Lamal
Cat in the Flowers rug hooked by Kate Lamal

Follow this link for

Retreats Registration