Ancient Wall

Dimensions: 17" x 25"
Materials: #3-cut wool on burlap
Adapted from photograph in the Minneapolis Tribune and designed and hooked by Bernice Howell, Beltsville, Maryland, 1994.
Featured in: Celebration V

Ancient Wall was born while Bernice was having her morning cup of tea. She was visiting her daughter in Minneapolis, Minnesota, when she saw a picture in the travel section of the Sunday paper of an ancient Turkish wall. Her husband made a slide of the clipped photo so Bernice could project it onto the wall in order to transfer it to the burlap.

This was Bernice's first hooked piece worked primarily in shades of beige. She knew texture was essential in creating hooked stones, so she used tweeds, plaids, and heathers in abundance to achieve the "rough, handhewn look" she desired. Most of the wool came from her ever-growing collection from thrift shops. She used most of the fabric as is, but she did purchase and spot dye a houndstooth check.
- Bernice Howell, Celebration Hall of Fame 2018