Dawn Rogal Interview

Say hello to Seattle artist, Dawn Rogal!

What is your favorite part about working in this medium?

The type of work that I do and materials that I use mean that for me, the medium is very forgiving.  My pattern doesn’t have to be perfect, I can change things up on the go and in the end, as long as it looks like something you can cuddle, it’s all good.   The things I make are usually based on ideas and sketches from my children and myself and usually based on stories we’ve told or things we’ve seen.  Given that the pieces are so personal, there is no right or wrong. I like to work primarily with felt and hand stitching.  Every now and then a piece of vintage fabric, or something from a thrift store will call my name and I’ll incorporate them as well, but with these I let the raw edges become part of the work.

What is your background?

At the moment I’m a stay at home mom of two.  I keep insisting that I’m a printmaker, having studied at printmaking for the past three years. However, I find that when the printmaking gods aren’t with me I retreat to my comfort zone with is needlework, primarily soft sculpture.  This year has been a great year for my soft sculpture, my plush piece sold at the Pratt Fine Arts Center fund raising auction, I’m in Plush You! for the second time and I have my first solo show at the Parklane Gallery in Kirkland, WA, running from October 4th through to the end of December.

Favorite crafty tool?

It has to be my travel stitching kit from Sublime Stitching.  I keep needles, pins and pink scissors in it and pop it in my purse along with my current project for on the go work.  I’m always waiting to pick up or drop off kids and it’s a perfect time to stitch.

Favorite fall activity?

Hitting the beach!  I know it’s odd to say but I’m not a hot weather person.  I love the beach in the fall when it is deserted, the air is crisp and I can walk, sit and sketch and of course, enjoy a hot cup of coffee – I’m from the Pacific Northwest, so even beaches have coffee stands nearby.

Did you have any inspiration behind the toys you are submitting for Plush You!?

Two of my pieces were inspired by prints, one of my own prints and one done by another artist.  The third piece comes from a story I was telling my daughter about French cheese. A colleague once told me that the French didn’t consider a cheese ready until it was so moldy that it could walk out of the shop of it’s own accord.  The result was “Stinky Cheese”.  I love this piece, it totally makes me laugh.