The Stories of Laura Kenney

I’d Rather be Reading Than Ironing, 32.5" x 18", #8-cut wool and silk on burlap. Designed and hooked by Laura Kenney, Truro, Nova Scotia, Canada, 2013.

Nova Scotia is well known for its colourful and quirky folk artists. While there does not seem to be a definitive agreement on what constitutes folk art, most people agree on a few common characteristics: simple in design, lacking perspective, and created by an untrained artist. However, perhaps the most outstanding feature of folk art is its ability to elicit a smile. 

Laura Kenney’s rug hooking does just that. Her work is whimsical, cheerful, and humorous. From a woman taking a rooster for a walk to a woman hanging her husband out on the clothesline, it is hard not to chuckle when looking at her work.

This article is from the September/October 2013 issue. For more information on our issues, check out our issues page.