Emmy

Dimensions: 16" x 16"
Materials: #3–6-cut wool on linen
Designed and hooked by Laura Pierce, Petaluma, California, 2007.
Featured in: Celebration XVIII

"Emmy was based on a photograph I took of our daughter, Emma Rose. I was planning to attend Cambria Pines Rug Camp and take a class with Michele Micarelli, but I wasn’t sure what to work on. When I talked with Nancy Miller Quigley about possibilities, she recommended doing a portrait. By this time, I had seen the beautiful portraits hooked by Pat Merikallio, and I knew I wanted to use colour like she does. This photo had long been a favourite… so I decided to give it a whirl... ha! I enhanced the colours on the computer to see what might be possible… and was pleased with the dramatic lighting. With my visual in hand and Michele’s coaching, Emmy came to life… along with her bubbles!

Using cool colours for shadows works well as they recede. Emmy’s jaw line was in the shadow side of her face, so a bit of hot purple created the needed separation from the muddy purple on her neck. Her little velour shirt was shining in the sunshine and just a few values helped define the folds. I followed my ‘visual’ like a road map, especially the bubbles. I added a bit of orange outline on the top bubble just for fun! The shadows in her hair and the right side edge are from a Pendleton shirt I was given; only the sleeves were used, as the body of the shirt has been made into a vest. I’ve had a giclée print of Emmy made to take with me when I teach Portrait Workshops. The rug itself is at home on the wall in the living room."
- Laura Pierce, Celebration Hall of Fame 2018