 click on thumbnails to enlarge 
click on rug images to enlarge   The Conversation pit in Hall-Of-Fame Football Star Lance Alworth's home expresses "The End Of The Trail" Indian theme, utilizing three different styles of carving. (André is working on End-Of-The-Trail carving at top of page)
For centuries Bas Relief techniques (removing background material from around the design to give it a raised and enhanced look to create three-dimension), have been used in wood, metals, stone and various other materials to create visual dimension an otherwise flat surface. Using carpet as a medium, this Bas-Relief technique gives you a truly sculptural effect.  Or beveling as it is commonly referred to, is an angled carve that creates a V groove and separates and cleans up the lines between two carpet colors. In a solid color carpet line carving creates a ‘outline drawing’ effect of the pattern or design in the carpet. |
 As far back as the Bayeaux Tapestry chronicling the Norman's Invasion of England in 1066 and the famed Unicorn weavings that adorned the great halls of medieval French nobility, artisans have woven vivid colors into designs to convey information and create beauty. Tapestries were originally designed to protect medieval rooms from damp and cold weather. As artisans developed and created pieces that were not only functional, but also artistic in design, the wall coverings began to gain recognition as a great work of art. Appreciation for size, intricacy and design changed the way Tapestries were viewed. What had once been displayed out of mere necessity now became an investment, a means to exhibit ones power and wealth. Heir to this grand tradition is the 21st Century Tapestry Art of Andre' Blaine. Intricacy and Andre's unique carving style create unparalleled works of three-dimensional art, which has created the standard for inlayed and hand-carved rugs and sets his work aside from all others. Drawing from his fine woodworking background, Andre', also a well respected luthier (a creator of stringed instruments) combines the skills of both artistic trades with his ever evolving and innovative talent to remain on the cutting edge. As Pace Setter of this new art medium, Andre' meticulously cuts, inlays and glues each individual piece of carpet color according to the hand created line art he designs for each project. He then artistically and very carefully, using highly specialized hand held tools, begins forming, shaping and sculpting the delicate carpet fibers. His proteges, clients, designers, collectors, students and admirers alike are in awe of his utilization of color, texture, carving, relentless attention to detail, scale and proportion. Each having witnessed the process of Andre', world-renowned artist, literally transforming precisely selected pieces of the highest quality carpet colors and breathing artistic life into his timeless works of art.   Sculpting 
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