Delaware By Hand - Presenting the Artists and Artisans of Delaware

A R T I S T / A R T I S A N P R O F I L E

John Flournoy

Fiber Decorative

33152 West Chesapeake Street
Lewes, DE 19958
302-645-5557

Artist Statement

Rug hooking is an indigenous American folk art. Its original purpose was totally utilitarian but now this art form is off the floor and onto the walls. Although some "rugs" are still displayed on the floor, mine are pictorial and are better suited to the wall. Strips of hand dyed and as is wool fabric are cut to a width of 2/32" and pulled through the backing with a hook to create loops of color.

I use medium as my means of self-expression for its texture and its unique tactile quality creating pointillism in fiber art not unlike that of the expressionist painter. My imagery will continue to explore figurative and architectural form that I observed.

I have exhibited at the Promenade Gallery in Tokyo, Japan, Peninsula Gallery in Lewes, Delaware, Columbia Center for the Arts, Howard County Center for the Arts, the Delaplaine Visual Arts Center, Montpelier Cultural Art Center, the Rehoboth Art League and the Maryland State Fair, winning several awards including Best in Show. I have been juried into exhibits with Laurel Art Guild, Harmony Hall, Wenham Museum and Carnegie Center for Art and History, winning best in show.

My work has appeared in numerous editions of Rug Hooking magazine and has received Honorable Mention in Celebration XI and XIV, a juried and published competition sponsored Rug Hooking Magazine. I was the featured artist in Jessie Turbayne's book "Hooked on Rugs Outstanding Contemporary Designs." My work has also appeared in the Baltimore Sun newspaper, Travel Host Magazine and The Best Places in Town.

I am a member of ATHA, Association of Traditional Rug Hooking Artist, the Rehoboth Art League and Montpelier Cultural Art Center.