In its prime, the American Needlework Center in Georgetown
was an prestigious institution - the oldest and most renowned
needlework shop in the extended area. One learned and honed one's
craft there in a manner similar to the guilds of yesteryear,
going through the various stages of apprentice to journeyman
to master craftsman. Wasting no time, Gail began her apprenticeship
there the summer after finishing college. At the ANC she learned
how to apply her creative energies, artistic abilities and technical
expertise to needlepoint canvas - a novel medium and different
from anything she had worked on before. Once she had mastered
the techniques, she fine tuned them, eventually advancing to
the position of head designer. In explaining her attraction to
needlework, Gail remarks, "What first appealed to me about
becoming a needlepoint designer was the fact that I could use
all aspects of my training as a commercial artist, drawing, color,
design, print and photography. This has inspired me to raise
my craft to the highest level possible."
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Gail spent seven years at the American Needlework Center,
by which time she was ready to strike out on her own. In 1979
she began designing for several shops in the Washington DC vicinity
under the name Festival Designs. Within a short time, she had
made a name for herself in the community. Two years later Gail
met Hyla Hurley who owns a store called The Point of it All.
(See this month's shop focus for more about Hyla's store). Gail
began designing for Hyla in 1981 and has worked almost exclusively
with her ever since. Strangely enough, it was artist, not shopkeeper
who made the initial overture to design exclusively for the shop.
Hyla, ever the realist with her bottom line to consider, was
intensely flattered but concerned that she would not be able
to guarantee Gail enough business. Gail's response was indicative
of both the tremendous regard she held for Hyla as an individual
and the faith she had in Hyla's business acumen and promotional
abilities. She unhesitatingly responded, "You're a good
businesswoman and I like the way you operate. I'm not worried
about it!"
Thus began a partnership which has over time only served
to maximize each woman's talents and potential. Hyla is better
at design concept than execution and refers to her method as
"idea designing." She communicates her ideas to Gail;
Gail shines in her ability to transform a mental concept into
a visual composition which unfailingly corresponds exactly to
what was pictured only in Hyla's mind's eye, right down to capturing
the most elusive details, such as the expression on a face. But
this is just one aspect of Gail's rare abilities. She also creates
customized projects for the many other commissions which emanate
from Hyla's clientele and under Festival Designs, markets her
own original creations. In retrospect, Hyla admits that Gail
had the foresight to see their combined potential well before
she did. Having never wavered in their commitment to their artistic
collaboration and each other, they now stand on the cusp of launching
Gail's designs into a whole new realm - the wholesale marketplace.
The secret of their success as a team works both ways. Hyla stresses,
"I've seen a lot of artists who were fabulous, but Gail
is in a league by herself in when it comes the range of her design
abilities. There is nothing that she can't do." One look
at the scope of styles and subject matter Gail has produced,
confirms her remarkable diversity. On the other side of the coin,
only Hyla seems to be able to unstintingly convey ideas to Gail
so that Gail can extract the its essence and translate it into
a reality. It's almost a kind of a sixth sense they have developed
over the course of their interaction. Ask anyone else in the
shop who has tried it and they'll tell you that it seems to work
flawlessly and seemingly effortlessly only between Hyla and Gail!
Gail's uncanny ability to interpret ephemeral thoughts is somewhat
akin to the musical prodigy who can listen to a melody once and
then both play it and set each note down on paper on the spot.
Their most recent collaboration has resulted in works inspired
by Ottoman art and culture, a theme currently spotlighted in
two outstanding exhibits at the Textile Museum and the Corcoran
Gallery of Art, both situated in their own backyard - Washington,
DC.One of these is the Ottoman Medallion design presented as
this month's free pattern and the other is named Ottoman Dragon,
a design as dramatic as the name. Both hand painted canvases
are available directly from The Point of It All.
Gail describes her personal artistic style as bright, clean
and precise. Gail's designing M.O. is to either design directly
on canvas or begin with a sketch depending on the project at
hand. Through long years of practice she has become proficient
at expressing her own inspirations directly onto the canvas.
Since Gail's designs reflect her inner life, she states, "I
prefer to have my work speak for itself." Gail designs for
her own satisfaction but never loses sight of the fact that it
is primarily her livelihood. What do you know - a real life pragmatic
artist! When asked if she prefers custom design work or concentrating
on her own designs, Gail unabashedly remarks, "Whatever
brings in the most money!"
Gail is married to Kenneth Weldon Hendrix, also a craftsman
who designs architectural millwork and works as a cabinetmaker.
In '93 the couple relocated from the urban Washington scene to
a farm in rural Pennsylvania. Gail quickly made the transition
from city to country girl, falling immediately in love with the
rolling hills and landscape. Having lived in an city environment
her whole life, she now revels in the wildlife surrounding her
- deer, pheasant, woodcock and abundant varieties of birds. The
denizens of her new habitat tease her creative spirit, providing
endless stimulation and inspiration. She has adapted completely
to the quietude and slower pace, discovering in it a revitalizing
sense of peace which permeates every day. This feeling of well
being leaves her freer than ever before to concentrate on her
work, removed as she is from the many distractions which are
an inescapable part of the hustle and bustle of the metropolis.
Even though Gail's career is focused on the needlearts, she
has not forsaken other artistic pursuits and still engages herself
in painting, photography and lithography. Other interests include
her three beloved dogs, whom she delights in taking for walks
or a swim and in "dressing them up" to suit the holiday
at hand. She adores watching British television because she enjoys
hearing proper English spoken - not anything like the bastardized
English spoken in the States! Newly adopted rural pastimes range
from gardening to volunteering at her local church. Just as she
made a name for herself in Washington, she has already gained
a new, but different, notoriety here- known far and wide for
the homemade jam which she makes and sells at jumble sales to
raise money for charity. Gail is the first to admit, "Every
day is filled with joy."
For information on Designs by Gail contact
The Point of It All
3301 New Mexico Ave. NW
Washington, DC
phone: (202) 966- 9898
fax: (202) 966- 2955
e-mail: hylah@erols.com
website: http://www.thepointofitall.com
hours: Mon. - Fri. 10 am to 5:30 pm
Saturdays 10 am to 4:00 pm
The Ottoman Medallion handpainted painted canvas retails for
$82.00 plus shipping. The Ottoman Dragon is available for $245.00
plus shipping.
Click
here for FREE Pattern
