When I first started Abstract Road, I had no idea what I was getting into. Taking my art designs to rugs seemed like a natural thing to do. Little did I know, it would involve a whole new market which I knew very little about!
The rug industry is quite a unique niche market which originated long ago among the areas of Persia, India, Nepal, Morrocco, Turkey and others. The history of rug making is an amazing look into the ancient culture and world of these people. All by hand, the designs and patterns unique to each culture, have been woven by weavers throughout history. This is the main reason I started this crazy venture. We must preserve what is the beauty of the past if we are to hope for a better future. A future that honors and preserves the artisanship of generations long gone. How can this be anything but a positive? We search for authenticity as artisans and as human beings. We gain big time, if we are lucky enough to find one or the other, or both.
I am a solo act, a solo importer. I live on a coastal island in Georgia where modern and contemporary art are not highly recognized, to date. I keep putting one foot in front of the other and brush off each “No”, believing that someone will see what I see, embrace the beauty of hand knotted and original works. I believe there will be a “Yes”! One day I want to look back and think, “Wow, I remember when I was down to zero in my business account and working out of my sunroom!”
For now, I continue to create. Operating capital is nice when attempting to build a new business in a niche market such as rug making and textiles. This worldwide pandemic has put a bit of a monkey wrench in my plans. I would say it has done the same to most everyone else as well. So we keep rowing forward!
My rugs were first introduced at Switch Modern in Atlanta, Georgia. Switch Modern is the modern design Mecca in Atlanta and NYC. That in itself was a huge gift and certainly a great venue to launch the designs! The rugs are back with me on the island and waiting for a gorgeous home. When they do, I will be back in the design saddle and creating 3 more rugs that you see in this blog photo! And so we keep on moving forward like they say in Nepal,
Namaste
© Laura Parker | Abstract Road | All rights reserved.
© Laura Parker | Abstract Road | All rights reserved.
© Laura Parker | Abstract Road | All rights reserved.
