Noah's Ark
This little gem was a dream come true for the one and only Mary Shepard Burton. Her lifetime of creative ideas did not cease to flow. Few of us get to cross paths with someone who the creative spirit just flows from like water. And even fewer are they that get to be a part of something wonderful, that would go on to inspire other creative spirits in this life. Noah's Ark was one of those opportunities for me, to assist an elderly artist to construct this dream solely for the purpose of inspiring others.
And the highlight of this dream is the permanent exhibit space at the new Hooked Rug Museum of North America. Along with some other wonderful contributions of Mary Shepard Burton this exhibit will be available for generations to come and bring pleasure to the eyes of many who will enjoy it. Please visit and support the museum to preserve of the history of textile arts and the journey of the craft persons and artists who have evolved this utilitarian medium into the realm of fine arts. Thank you Mary for taking me on this journey with you.
All photographs by Leonard Feenan are not to be reproduced with out permission
Sea Creatures
by
Mary Sheppard Burton and Leonard Feenan
The following mixed media piece was a little venture project Mary and I had worked on together. It is an adaptation from a gesso owned by Mrs Burton, original artist unknown. All hooking was completed by Mrs Burton. Additional sewing finish work by myself and Barbara Barton. Frame construction, pattern drawing, carvings, finish work and assembly by me. MAry did not get to see the finished assembled piece but would have been proud to know it was shown in our featured exhibit at Sauder Village with Noahs Ark. Sea Creatures is now in the private collection of a Burton family member.
Measuring 8 feet 4 inches long and 32 inches at the tallest point one of the biggest challenges for me was to construct the custom frame for the rug. Not the other way around.
All photographs by Leonard Feenan are not to be reproduced with out permission