For The Love Of Wool

by Cynthia Gallant-Simpson

Description Working with wool to make art can be a meditative journey. Follow listed folk artist Cynthia Gallant-Simpson's creative journey with wool from Penny Ruggs (old spelling) through Primitive Hooked Rugs and Sailors Woolies. What is a Sailors Woolie? In the 19th century, bored but creative British sailors, long at sea, who wanted to share their adventures with those at home created "paintings" out of what was at hand. Thread, wool, canvas, yarn, whatever the ship's mending basket had to offer they used to make wonderful wool art. It took a sailor (a 21st century American folk artist) to rebirth Sailors Woolies. In 2005, this Cape Cod and Nantucket Americana Folk/Primitive artist recalled her delight when she saw her first Sailors Woolie in a gallery in London while studying in that wonderful city of art galleries and naval history. Ironically, in 2005, she and her husband sold their antique sea captains home on Cape Cod and took off to become boat gypsies. Coincidentally, the gallery that had been successfully selling her Americana Folk/Primitive paintings on canvas introduced her Sailors Woolies to Nantucket where they "sailed" out the doors as fast as she could make them. For almost eight years, Cynthia and her husband cruised the east coast as far as Puerto Rico. Then, in 2013, it was time to go back to land. They chose a lovely quintessential Down East Maine village as their new home and an old house with a barn for her gallery, not far from a mooring for their boat...and the rest is history. Today, she is the premier creator of Sailors Woolies shown in galleries and collected world wide. This easy to follow visual delight book will appeal to everyone who seeks the unusual in folk art. British Sailors Woolies are considered the rarest form of folk art because of their limited number...weather and moths have destroyed or damaged many of the originals. Enjoy!