art work
contemporary fibre arts
Colour, texture, joy and self-compassion are the key features of my lovingly crafted hooked rugs and books about my journey from homeopath to artist and journal writer. My home studio is in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, where I hook and spin looking out over the Halifax Harbour.
I'm Meryl
artist, author, speaker, facilitator
Combining my lifetime of work in the healing arts together with my experience as a writer and artist has led me to an exploration of journaling and contemporary fibre arts as a process for reinvention and transformation.
I'm Meryl
artist, author, speaker, facilitator
Combining my lifetime of work in the healing arts together with my experience as a writer and artist has led me to an exploration of journaling and contemporary fibre arts as a process for reinvention and transformation.
My Process
What is unique about my introspective process is the connection between writing and design. This includes writing on the linen around the design to highlight the inspiration for each mat, selection of colours based on Chakra colour theory, and a technique of following the healing energy to produce an intuitive, abstract design. Each mat represents the next step needed in my journey to becoming the Wild Woman I was meant to be.
I hook in a loose, organic style with a variety of new and recycled fabrics and yarns (mostly wool and silk) on linen. Likewise, my spinning is unstructured, with a focus on spinning from the curly locks and mostly wool from Nova Scotia sheep. I start each design with a simple sketch from my journal and a basic idea of the colours I want to use. I don’t colour plan. Each design develops in an intuitive way.
The name of each piece evokes feelings, such as Dancing Wildly – With Joy!, Love Letter, Dancing in the Wind, Breaking Open, Curvy Lines, Joy Releasing, Abundance, Let This Be Enough, What Do I Need Right Now?, and Wild Woman in Willow Tree Pose.
My work is inspired by: my mom, Nancy Cook, a rug hooker extraordinaire, for her great colour sense; Deanne Fitzpatrick, for raising rug hooking to an art and encouraging me early on to do my own designs; and Monet and the other Impressionist artists for their art that draws me in and fills my soul.
art gallery
Mats that are for sale can be purchased in my shop - CLICK HERE.
Wild Woman says ‘I am enough’
Wild Woman says ‘I am enough’. She knows that no matter what she accomplishes next, she is already enough. The words from my journal that inspired this piece include “Rocking her grey hair” and “I’m just getting started”. You may notice her hair is grey, hooked with some of my hand spun yarns. She is ... Read more
Wild Woman Hair mini 4 “Ode to Lisa LaFlamme” series
The fourth in my Wild Woman Hair minis and part of my “Ode to Lisa LaFlamme” series. When Ms. LaFlamme, a well respected journalist and tv anchor for CTV was criticized because she had let her hair go grey during the pandemic I was enraged. I wanted to do something to support Ms. LaFlamme and ... Read more
Wild Woman Hair mini 3 “Ode to Lisa LaFlamme” series
The third in my Wild Woman Hair minis and part of my “Ode to Lisa LaFlamme” series. When Ms. LaFlamme, a well respected journalist and tv anchor for CTV was criticized because she had let her hair go grey during the pandemic I was enraged. I wanted to do something to support Ms. LaFlamme and ... Read more
Wild Woman Hair mini 2 “Ode to Lisa LaFlamme” series
The second in my Wild Woman Hair minis and part of my “Ode to Lisa LaFlamme” series. When Ms. LaFlamme, a well respected journalist and tv anchor for CTV was criticized because she had let her hair go grey during the pandemic I was enraged. I wanted to do something to support Ms. LaFlamme and ... Read more
Wild Woman Hair mini 1 “Ode to Lisa LaFlamme” series
My Wild Woman Hair minis are part of my “Ode to Lisa LaFlamme” series. When Ms. LaFlamme, a well respected journalist and tv anchor for CTV was criticized because she had let her hair go grey during the pandemic I was enraged. I wanted to do something to support Ms. LaFlamme and to express my ... Read more
The Field Out Beyond
The Field Out Beyond was inspired by this Rumi quote “Out beyond ideas of wrongdoing and rightdoing, there is a field. I’ll meet you there. When the soul lies down in that grass, the world is too full to talk about.”. Hooked on linen with hand spun, commercial and recycled yarns and fabrics. Mounted on an artist ... Read more
Chakra Colours hit Get Hooked at Sea
Do you know those moments when you feel you are doing exactly what you are meant to be doing? This dream gig was just this. In the summer of 2022 I had the privilege of teaching for four days on a schooner (The J & E Riggin) off the coast of Maine. The class was ... Read more
Her Heart Was Rejoicing
In this piece I was journaling about the feelings of joy, about moments of joy bursting out of my heart. I used a piece of wet felted fabric combined with rug hooking, along with felted ‘buttons’ which are embroidered on. Mixed media on linen using hand-spun, commercial and recycled yarns and fabrics. Mounted on artist ... Read more
Wild Woman Hair Series 7
“She wore her Crown Chakra well” This piece originally started with the Heart Chakra colours (pink hair, green background), but it was lacking some pizazz. When I switched the hair to the Crown Chakra violet the piece came alive! I guess I was done working in the Heart Chakra colours as a set for now. ... Read more
Wild Woman Hair Series 6
“She was in a Heart Chakra mood” Hooked in the Heart Chakra colours of pink and green, with a yellow (Solar Plexus Chakra) wet felted face I was experimenting with a more contained hairstyle, with emphasis on the textures in the pink background. Sometimes when my heart is heavy I find working in the Heart ... Read more
Wild Woman Hair Series 5
Wild Woman Hair Series 5 continues my exploration of combining rug hooking and wet felting in a piece, as well as playing with various hairstyles. Sometimes it is nice to have a smaller piece to try out different ideas. In Wild Woman Hair Series 5 I used the Throat Chakra (blue), Solar Plexus Chakra (yellow) ... Read more
The Door is Open
I’m adding this mat to my gallery on International Women’s Day 2022. The Door is Open was inspired by a friend who told me the door is open to the new me. There’s no going back. I wrote in my journal about how the door is open (represented by the crack in the centre of ... Read more
Cozy Chakra Joy
My latest work, Cozy Chakra Joy was inspired by my word for 2022 – Cozy. I wanted to work on a large piece that carried me through the winter and that felt cozy. I also wanted to feel joy, and working with the Chakra colours brings me joy. Rug hooking with many of my hand ... Read more
Blue Throat Chakra
Blue Throat Chakra is part of a study in working with the Chakra colours. The Throat Chakra represents finding your voice. When I want to speak clearly or to use my voice to speak up I work with blue (wear blue clothes, hook with blue, decorate with blue). You might notice many of my pieces ... Read more
Red Root Chakra
Red Root Chakra is part of a study in working with the Chakra colours. The Root Chakra represents our foundation, stability and our roots. When I need to feel more grounded I work with red (wear it, hook with it, eat red food for example). Rug hooking on linen, mounted on a black block. 4″ ... Read more
Wild Woman Standing Tall
“Standing tall in her red cowboy boots. Feeling tall & fierce. Ready to rock it!” Wild Woman Standing Tall is a recent addition to my Wild Woman series. Rug hooking with new, recycled, hand spun and hand dyed yarns and fabrics on linen. 18.5″ x 27″ $1200 My Wild Woman mats are a departure from ... Read more
Wild Woman Writes … Dear Universe
“Dear Universe … I’m ready.” Wild Woman Writes … Dear Universe … is my most recent Wild Woman mat. Mixed media (rug hooking, wet felting, embroidery) on linen. 17.5″ x 26″ $1200 My Wild Woman mats are a departure from my healing mats in that they are not abstract in design. Each Wild Woman mat ... Read more
Wild Woman’s Work is Play
Wild Woman’s Work is Play is one of my Wild Woman series. “Work has ease & flow. Energizing.” Over the past several years I’ve been working on infusing my life, including my work with a sense of play. Rug hooking with recycled, commercial, hand spun and hand dyed yarns and fabrics on linen. 18.5” x 26” ... Read more
Wild Women Run 5K/10K!
Wild Women Run 5K/10K! is one of my Wild Woman series. It was inspired by a couple of ambitious running goals set by my running partner and I. Two women in our 60’s, she had never run and I hadn’t run consistently for many years. We set our first goal to get to a 5K ... Read more
Chakra Colour Play 3
Chakra Colour Play 3 is the third in a series of pieces that were inspired while teaching my online class Chakra Colour Play. Rug hooking with recycled, commercial and hand spun and hand dyed fibres in the eight Chakra colours on linen. Mounted on standard artist canvas with dust cover and ready to hang. 10″ ... Read more
Chakra Colour Play 2
Chakra Colour Play 2 is the second in a series of pieces that were inspired while teaching my online class Chakra Colour Play. Rug hooking with recycled, commercial and hand spun and hand dyed fibres in the eight Chakra colours on linen. Mounted on standard artist canvas with dust cover and ready to hang. 10″ ... Read more
Chakra Colour Play 1
Chakra Colour Play 1 is the first in a series of pieces that were inspired while teaching my online class Chakra Colour Play. Rug hooking with recycled, commercial and hand spun and hand dyed fibres in the eight Chakra colours on linen. Mounted on standard artist canvas with dust cover and ready to hang. 10″ ... Read more
Wild Woman Hair 4
The fourth in my Wild Woman Hair series. In this series I continued playing with incorporating wet felting (the faces) with rug hooking, as well as having fun with various ‘hair styles’. Mixed media on linen, mounted on standard artist canvas with dust cover and ready to hang. 12″ x 12″ $350
Wild Woman Hair 3
The third in my Wild Woman Hair series. In this series I continued playing with incorporating wet felting (the faces) with rug hooking, as well as having fun with various ‘hair styles’. Mixed media on linen, mounted on standard artist canvas with dust cover and ready to hang. 12″ x 12″ SOLD! (Custom orders available.)
Wild Woman Hair 2
The second in my Wild Woman Hair series. In this series I continued playing with incorporating wet felting (the faces) with rug hooking, as well as having fun with various ‘hair styles’. Mixed media on linen, mounted on standard artist canvas with dust cover and ready to hang. 12″ x 12″ SOLD! Custom orders available. ... Read more
Wild Woman Hair 1
The first in my Wild Woman Hair series. In this series I played with incorporating wet felting (the faces) with rug hooking, as well as having fun with various ‘hair styles’. Mixed media on linen, mounted on standard artist canvas with dust cover and ready to hang. 12″ x 12″ SOLD! Custom orders available.
Boundaries 1
The first of three in the Boundaries series, inspired by a collaborative project I did with artist Linda Rae Coughlin. As two women in our 60’s, Linda Rae and I had been journaling and discussing our experiences of having fewer boundaries at this life stage. How the sensation of this is expansive, unconstrained and somewhat ... Read more
Boundaries 2
The second in the three part Boundaries series inspired by a collaborative project I did with artist Linda Rae Coughlin. As two women in our 60’s, Linda Rae and I had been journaling and discussing our experiences of having fewer boundaries at this life stage. How the sensation of this is expansive, unconstrained and somewhat ... Read more
Boundaries 3
The third in the three part Boundaries series, inspired by a collaborative project I did with artist Linda Rae Coughlin. As two women in our 60’s, Linda Rae and I had been journaling and discussing our experiences of having fewer boundaries at this life stage. How the sensation of this is expansive, unconstrained and somewhat ... Read more
Opening
Greater ease & flexibility. Delivering O2 & love to my tissues & cells. Room to breathe, expand. Hooked primarily in the Heart Chakra colours Pink and Green. 28.5″ x 28″ $1600 Photo by Kelly Clark.
Wild Woman Driving (Across Country to Meet Kindred Spirits)
This piece was inspired by a three day drive I took on my own. I had my first ever solo show of my work at Sauder Village Rug Hooking Week in 2018. The drive took me three glorious days of music blaring, windows open, stopping when I wanted to. The words from my journal were ... Read more
Unconditional
Love without judgement or expectation, no matter what I’m here for you. One of the mats in the Love in the Time of a Pandemic Tryptic. 20″ x 12.5″ *SOLD! As the COVID-19 pandemic was developing around the world, I felt overwhelmed and powerless with the amount of suffering. This quote inspired me to create ... Read more
Intentional
Love that is focussed, strong. Aiming love, purpose. A love intended; the healing process of a wound. One of the Love in the Time of a Pandemic tryptic. 27″ x 12.5″ SOLD! Intentional – back viewAs the COVID-19 pandemic was developing around the world, I felt overwhelmed and powerless with the amount of suffering. This ... Read more
Extravagant
Love extravagantly, with wild abandon. Joy. Reaching out. Spilling over … into all facets of my life. Contagious. The third in the Love in the Time of a Pandemic series. 26″ x 26.5″ SOLD! As the COVID-19 pandemic was developing around the world, I felt overwhelmed and powerless with the amount of suffering. This quote ... Read more
Wild Woman in Willow Tree Pose
Graceful, easy swaying. Joyful. Bending, not breaking. Strong, rooted. Chakra Colours. One of my favourite Wild Woman series mats. 18.5″ x 26.5″ $1200 My Wild Woman mats are a departure from my healing mats in that they are not abstract in design. Each Wild Woman mat incorporates all of the eight Chakra colours. Having all ... Read more
Wild Woman Speaks
She speaks to herself – with love & patience. As if to someone she loves. This mat was designed for Issue 31 2019/2020 of The Wheel from Ashford Wheels and Looms. One of the mats in my ongoing Wild Woman series. 19″ x 27″ $1200 My Wild Woman mats are a departure from my healing ... Read more
Wild Woman Dancing
Bringing energy to her cells & joy to her heart, dancing to move to the rhythm … moving freely. One of the mats in my ongoing Wild Woman series. 19″ x 27″ $1200 My Wild Woman mats are a departure from my healing mats in that they are not abstract in design. Each Wild Woman ... Read more
Wild Woman Sisterhood
Claiming her power. Being fed by the earth & giving back to the earth. The earth is totally bountiful. Proud. Powerful, Rooted, Joyous. Sharing her gifts with the world. The first in my Wild Woman series. 15.5″ x 35″ $1200 My Wild Woman mats are a departure from my healing mats in that they are ... Read more
Let This Be Enough
Let this be enough … Let what you’ve accomplished settle and travel out … See where it lands … like a beautiful pebble dropping and radiating out. 29″ x 34″ SOLD
Sat Nam
Opening. Offering beauty, form, elegance. Grace, flow, has an ease, like a bouquet. Speaking my truth with elegance. One of my Heart Notes series, a series of small mats I designed and hooked as notes of encouragement to myself. Sat Nam is a Sanskrit word meaning “Speak your truth.” 16″ x 16″ SOLD!
Open to the world
Soft, open, settled, calm, flowing. Calm yet still protected. One of my Heart Notes series, a series of small mats I designed and hooked as notes of encouragement to myself. 16″ x 16″ $350
Flow
Like a heart opening within a landscape … Like a landscape that rolls off into the distance, big & vast & beautiful. One of my Heart Notes series, this mat was inspired by driving through New Brunswick and seeing how the river meandered in and out of the frame. 16″ x 16″ SOLD!!!
Heart ripples
Hearts opening, like ripples in a pond, reverberating. One of my Heart Notes series. 16″ x 16″ SOLD
Re-Lease
Out-burst, re-lease, emotions welling up & spilling out, calm, open, room to breathe. One of my Heart Notes series. 16″ x 16″ $350
What do I need right now?
Stable, grounded, safe. Supported, enveloped in love and warmth. In my Heart Notes series. 16″ x 16″ Not for sale.
You are my sunshine
Inner listening. Open heart. You are exactly where you need to be. This mat from my Heart Notes series was inspired by a scary bicycle ride down a mountainside in Croatia. I sang this song to myself all the way down the mountain as I pedalled. 16″ x 16″ SOLD!
Chakra Love Too
Healthy energy, healing colours, clear flow. A Chakra Journey. One of my Heart Notes series. 16″ x 16″ SOLD!
Chakra Love
Healthy energy, healing colours, clear flow. A Chakra journey. One of my Heart Notes series mats. 16″ x 16″ SOLD
I’ve Got You
Holding hope & space & light. Holding space while giving space. Hold on, we’ve got this … One of my Heart Notes series, this mat was inspired by learning to be a mother to my adult sons. To be there for them but to let them figure out how to solve problems on their own. ... Read more
Pure Heart
Inspired by the beauty around her and the beauty within. One of my Heart Notes series. 16″ x 16″ SOLD!
Restless Heart
“Slow down, breathe, let it wash over me, be gentle with myself.” are the words from my journal that inspired this mat. One of my Heart Notes, a series of mats I designed and hooked as a form of gentle encouragement to myself. 16″ x 16″ $350
Self Portrait
… of the artist becoming. Heart opening, blossoming. Heart listening. Soft, flowing, resilient. The first mat in my Heart Notes series, this mat was hooked with many of my Mom’s wools. Working with her materials made me feel close to her. 16″ x 16″ Not for sale.
Creative Firecracker Goddess Mode
Feeling sparkly & glad to be alive. Taking time to ground & feel the earth. Hooked in the Root Chakra colour Red. 29″ x 31″ $1500
Surrender
Letting go … less effort, more trust … learning to surrender, trust. Trusting that if I let go that life will carry me where I need to go. When I open up to my creativity, to taking care of myself, that life will be bountiful … surrender & trust. 31″ x 42″ SOLD
This Cord of Love That Binds Us
Layers of love. Red – my foundation. Blue – I speak my truth … in hopes it will inspire you. Orange, yellow – as I work through how to be your mother. Purple – we are all part of something much bigger. Pink – unconditional love. Indigo – clear thinking. Yellow – courage. 25″ x ... Read more
Abundance
The final mat in my original healing mat series. (I was hooking it the day before the photos needed to be taken for my publication deadline!) Ideas percolating, starting to emerge, freely flowing abundance. 29″ x 20.5″ Not for sale.
Dancing in the Wind
The sixth in my original healing mat series. Gently swaying & moving in the path of least resistance … Learning to listen & sway, still rooted, yet swaying, yielding in a gentle way. 10.25″ x 24″ Not for sale.
Breaking Open
The fifth in my original healing mat series. Breaking up to allow healing flow. Breaking open & shining from within. 28″ x 19″ Not for sale.
Dancing Wildly – With Joy
The fourth in my original healing mat series. I release any energy that does not serve me through my arms & through my feet. 29″ x 29.5″ Not for sale.
Joy Releasing
The third in my original healing mat series. Joy & Inspiration. Finding my voice as an artist and a healer. 20.5″ x 31″ Not for sale.
Love Letter
The second in my original healing mat series. This is the first design where I wrote a healing phrase from my journal around the edges of the design. The phrase was “I let go of the pain of this scar & accept it lovingly into my body.” 16.5″ x 16.75″ Not for sale.
Curvy Lines
I designed this mat while waiting for my diagnosis and surgery for breast cancer. I was dancing every day to relieve stress and lighten my heart. I was also thinking about the impact of the surgery on my womanly curves. Lastly, curvy lines appealed to me as I’ve never been a straight line kind of ... Read more