Jean La Rue
Fiber/Mixed Media Artist
Fiber/Mixed Media Artist
I was one of those lucky little girls with an "Old World"
grandmother who taught me to knit, crochet, & embroider
before I was even able to read a pattern. She not only taught
me the technical craft of fine needlework (the "rules & the
tools" you might say), but more importantly, she taught me
the art of originality & gave me the freedom to experiment
with design, color, & texture. Who says that a potholder must
be round or square? And, where is it written that a sweater
must be perfectly symmetrical to be both functional &
beautiful? It was this nurturing of my individual creativity that
was, I think, the most precious gift of all.
I create my original art-to-wear fashions & mixed media
artwork in my Pacific Northwest studio. Ebony Glen. I love
working in a wide variety of mediums including paint, fibers,
glass, clay, & found objects. In fact, I consider everything -
right down to the common Q-tip - to be fair game in the
creative process.
While I still find time to paint & sculpt & create the occasional
stained glass panel, I devote the bulk of my time & energy to
working with fine wools & yarns made of silk, mohair,
bamboo, Alpaca, & other natural & synthetic fibers to create
clothing, handbags, & accessories for adults as well as children.
I'm free-spirited & a rule breaker & I think that's why I am
naturally drawn to the art of free form crochet, knitting, &
felting. There are no set patterns, no set rules & no mistakes.
There are an abundance of "ah ha!" discoveries & happy
accidents that go into creating these fancy, funky, & always fun
items of wearable art. Each is a one-of-a-kind artist original -
as individual & unique as the people who wear them.
I currently market my felted purses, handbags & art wear
garments online through this website as well as
www.IrrationalExuberance.etsy.com & through local art &
craft shows under the name ''Irrational Exuberance.''
grandmother who taught me to knit, crochet, & embroider
before I was even able to read a pattern. She not only taught
me the technical craft of fine needlework (the "rules & the
tools" you might say), but more importantly, she taught me
the art of originality & gave me the freedom to experiment
with design, color, & texture. Who says that a potholder must
be round or square? And, where is it written that a sweater
must be perfectly symmetrical to be both functional &
beautiful? It was this nurturing of my individual creativity that
was, I think, the most precious gift of all.
I create my original art-to-wear fashions & mixed media
artwork in my Pacific Northwest studio. Ebony Glen. I love
working in a wide variety of mediums including paint, fibers,
glass, clay, & found objects. In fact, I consider everything -
right down to the common Q-tip - to be fair game in the
creative process.
While I still find time to paint & sculpt & create the occasional
stained glass panel, I devote the bulk of my time & energy to
working with fine wools & yarns made of silk, mohair,
bamboo, Alpaca, & other natural & synthetic fibers to create
clothing, handbags, & accessories for adults as well as children.
I'm free-spirited & a rule breaker & I think that's why I am
naturally drawn to the art of free form crochet, knitting, &
felting. There are no set patterns, no set rules & no mistakes.
There are an abundance of "ah ha!" discoveries & happy
accidents that go into creating these fancy, funky, & always fun
items of wearable art. Each is a one-of-a-kind artist original -
as individual & unique as the people who wear them.
I currently market my felted purses, handbags & art wear
garments online through this website as well as
www.IrrationalExuberance.etsy.com & through local art &
craft shows under the name ''Irrational Exuberance.''
Artist Bio
"Creativity requires the courage to let go of
certainties."
Erich Fromm
"Live! Live! Live! Life's a banquet & most poor
suckers are starving to death."
Auntie Mame
certainties."
Erich Fromm
"Live! Live! Live! Life's a banquet & most poor
suckers are starving to death."
Auntie Mame
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
EBONY
GLEN
STUDIO
GLEN
STUDIO
iRRATIONAL eXUBERANCE