Hand-Stitching
November 2023
My current work will be on show at Ace Arts Gallery in Somerton from the 17th August – 28th September 2024 and will be alongside my great friend Kara Chambers in our Exhibition titled ‘Hanging by a Thread’
The world continues to change leaving nature struggling to find habitats within and between human spaces.
My work focuses on birds, once common in my lifetime which are now facing drastic declines and an uncertain future.
The artwork is inspired by the meticulous records of local bird watcher John McGeoch beginning in the 1940’s.
Using paint, fabric, and hand stitch the artwork aims to illustrate the beauty of these once common birds and how their lives and future now hang by a thread.
For more information on individual pieces and work in progress please see the newsletter section
February 2021
Lapwing WIP
I first wrote about this little Lapwing in a blog back in October 2020. He was pieced and painted far earlier in the year and is one of the pieces I have been looking forward to returning to. You can read about the initial stages and inspiration here. I have enjoyed sitting in front of the fire on an evening slowly building up the colours in the face. The feathers in the body will be a challenging both in stitch technique (of which I have little knowledge or feel) and colours. Whilst we are in lockdown I have missed not being able to go to the craft shop and see all the wonderful threads and select each area far more accurately that just selecting one from my starter set.
January 2021
This new phase of experimentation with hand stitching means I have a number of pieces of work in their early stages. I need to accept that much practice will be needed but I am thoroughly enjoying the new challenge and can find the time during the evening to sit and quietly stitch a simple piece.
I am currently enjoying stitching a little wren, I first painted the bird using textile paints. Progress is slow and tentative but thoroughly absorbing and relaxing. A photograph of my first few stitches shows the project underway.
May-December 2020
Prior to the first lockdown I only used a small amount of hand stitching to finish pieces with small stitch details. My lack of experience obviously mean my hand stitching skills were basic. When the first lockdown happened in spring last year I joined the Slow Stitch group set up by members of CQW in the hope of learning a new skill. My mind was busy with covid and difficult personal circumstances at the time and the slower more mindful pace used in hand stitching was very appealing to me.
Experienced hand stitch members guided us beginners through various stitch challenges over the following weeks. My stitch skills improved but almost more importantly my mind slowed to a calmer more considered pace, this in turn allowed my imagination to play with other creative ideas and start experimenting.
At the same time TextileArtist.org launched their Stitch Club in May 2020 and I joined and thoroughly enjoyed the projects created for members by internationally recognised textile artists. This exposure to a new world of hand stitch has allowed me to become more creative and experimental over the last 9 months creating more varied work and push my boundaries a little further.
May-December 2020
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