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Sea Otter Alliance, 52″ x 36″, #3- to 6-cut hand-dyed wool, ribbon, and sari silk on linen.
Designed and hooked by Jenny Francis Stanley, Tillamook, Oregon, 2023.
My initial idea was to make a simple, smaller rug that would fit above my sliding door. I live very close to the sea in Oregon, and sea creatures—especially sea otters, with their playful antics—hold a special place in my heart. As I researched these amazing creatures, I learned that they were once abundant in our waters but have been hunted to extinction in our area. Today, there are no sea-otter communities in Oregon waters. Additionally, sea-otters are gardeners of our diminished kelp population, which has been decimated by purple sea urchins, which sea otters love to eat.
I also found out that a nonprofit group known as the Elakha Alliance, established by tribal leaders and conservationists, is actively raising awareness and providing resources to help restore sea-otter populations. My sea-otter rug project grew in scope to hopefully inspire awareness of the pressing need to restore otters to the Oregon marine habitat.
From the Judges:
Stunning mix of warm and cool tones. The iridescence of the abalone shell, the swirling tidal waters, and the shaded fish. The otters have wonderful facial details too. A heartwarming and playful piece that’s totally immersive.
The materials I chose to complete the rug included hand dyed wool for continuity, durability, and beauty; sari silk for a pop of brightness on the otter’s face; and various specialty textiles, including ribbon, to create and enhance the lovely, varied texture and iridescence of the abalone shell.
The section of the rug that I am most pleased with is the otter’s expressive face, which seems to hold a look of expectation. I also love the way he holds on to the abalone shell. However, the most challenging part of this rug was creating that realistic-looking, colorful abalone shell with its varied textures and unique aesthetic. I used many types of textiles and made quite a few at tempts before I achieved the realistic look that I was going for. I finished the edges of the rug with a crochet stitch for added texture, movement, and durability.
Jenny Francis Stanley
TILLAMOOK, OREGON
Jenny lives and works in the northern Oregon coastal town of Cape Meares in a hand-built cabin in the woods overlooking the Pacific with her husband and two dogs. She paints in oils and acrylics and specializes in traditional rug hooking. Jenny majored in fine art in college and has studied in the United States and Europe. In addition, Jenny is an award-winning illustrator of children’s books. Barron’s of New York currently publishes her illustrated books.