Red Maple Ruggery

2014                       Guest Speaker; Oxwood Hooking Artisan Annual Hook-In, Woodstock, ON

2013                       Guest Speaker; Simply Hooked Guild Annual Hook-In,  London, ON

2014, 2013, 2012   Taught a variety workshops, classes and private lessons

2011                       Oxford Teacher Certification (Punch Needle) Vermont, U.S.A

1993                        Fine Arts~ University of Windsor

Selected Group Exhibitions

2013 & 2011   Rug Hooking Week, Sauder Village, Archbold, Ohio, USA (Juried Exhibit)

2012 & 2011   Lambton Heritage Museaum, Paint Ontario, Grand Bend, ON (Juried Exhibit)

2011                Hooked in the Mountains XV Shelburne, Vermont, USA

Major Awards

2013 & 2011 Finalist, Original Designs; Celebration of Hand-Hooked Rugs XXIII & XXI

2014              Reader's Choice Award; Original Designs

Bibliography

Smith, Debra (ed.) Celebration of Hand-Hooked Rugs XXIII, Stackpole Books, 2013

Smith, Debra (ed.) Celebration of Hand-Hooked Rugs XXI,  Stackpole Books, 2011

Appeared in OHCG Newsletter, Article by Kathryn Taylor, 2013

Bio:

Simone's Hand-hooked rugs are best described as "paintings in wool" and she is thrilled to create vibrant and unique works elevating the humble rug to that of art. Often depicting her favourite subjects of landscapes and animals, Simone's original designs vary from highly detailed realistic rugs to more stylized ones. There is a connection to nature found in the sheep's wool used in her work, and also the joy of discover that comes with dyeing much of it herself. The rhythm of the Simone's Punch hook as she carefully sets each loop conjures up a connection to by-gone days when rugs were made by hand to cherish a and last for generations. Simone's paintings and rugs have been featured in juried exhibits in Ontario and the U.S. and published in the books "Celebration of Hand-Hooked Rugs XXI, XXIII" She was excited to add teaching to her repertoire as a certified Oxford Punch Needle Instructor and feels privileged to share her passion for creating fibre art with others who wish to learn it.

I am very blessed

      to live and work as a homeschooling Mum and Artist in my little stone house in the country with my dear husband, three children and our many animal friends.

My artistic exploration began in childhood with many hours spent painting and drawing in the woods and barnyard, and visual arts was the main focus of my academic career. I continued my artistic pursuits into adulthood.

In 2010 I was mesmerised by a library book filled with hand hooked rugs and they inspired me to give punch needle rug hooking a try. Together my husband and I bought "Punch Needle Rug Hooking" by Amy Oxford, a couple of punch needles and we taught our selves how to create our own punch hooked rugs.

  I was instantly and completely 'hooked' on rug making and my imagination was on overdrive with all the incredible possibilities this art form had to offer.

I love the feeling of 'painting with wool'; the juxtaposition of functionality and artistry is thrilling. I even dream of rug making and designs in my sleep!

In 2011 I took the Oxford Punch Needle Teacher Certification Program with Amy Oxford in Vermont, U.S.A. and completed the requirements with great success.  I am passionate about teaching; I love to share this great craft with others!

  My rugs have been published in "Celebrations of Hand Hooked Rugs XXI" and "Celebrations of Hand Hooked Rugs XXIII",  featured in juried exhibits in Canada and the U.S. as well as a winner of the 2013 Viewers Choice Award.

About the Artist:   Simone Vojvodin