Contemporary Stitchery Book

‘Hoopla: The Art of Unexpected Embroidery’ by Leanne Prain is a visual treat covering 28 contemporary embroidery artists and their often humorous, always amazing innovative artwork.  

Each artist is interviewed and their stitchery showcased with excellent color photographs shot by Jeff Christenson.  After every artist’s section is a project based on the style and techniques they use.  I really enjoyed this fun survey of the current world of subversive stitchery.

Ice on Falls Creek

 

I want to add a little note of welcome to new readers. One of the main reasons I began my blog was to forge relationships with other artists.  To that end, I love getting your comments and answer you by email.  Thanks for visiting, and have a good rest of the weekend.

Embroidery

Work for my solo exhibit here in December is coming along now.  This week I completed a couple of new pieces and got started on a few more, while some work is in that 'thinking about it' stage. 

'shell game' 16.5"x19.5"; procion on cotton with machine stitching

''Rainbow Shells' 15.5"x19"; procion on cotton with beads and machine stitching

detail from a piece at the 'resting stage'

In the evenings I enjoyed stitching some feathers for Jude's Magic FeatherProject.  

feathers embroidery on vintage kimono cloth for Jude

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

small purse I made when I was in high school

I love embroidering, and always have since my mom taught me how as a young child. 

detail from the bag above

The colored thread is like a box of crayons or my beloved Prismacolor pencils.  I love the repetitive act of pushing needle through cloth; the slow evolution of textures, lines, shapes.  
 

Visiting galleries and museums in Other Parts of the World embroidery has caught my eye again and again, incorporated in the work of contemporary artists.  I am drawn to the subversive juxtaposition of this traditional decorative technique with potent political and social commentary.   

This territory may be calling me to come exploring.  What new creative lands are you longing to traverse?