Some time ago, an old friend and colleague asked me to do a special design that she could give as a Christmas present to her father. He was a marine biologist and apparently was particularly fond of starfish, so she asked me to do a starfish design.
A present for a marine biologist
I have to admit that this was a real stinker to do. It was fun to draw and digitise all the different kinds of starfish, but it was a constant battle between the scientific and the artistic. Because he was a marine biologist he would know all the animals I was trying to portray, and I really wanted him to be able to look at them and say “Ah yes, Marthasterias glacialis” (or whatever they were supposed to be) At the same time I was not prepared to sacrifice all the principles of design – the colour, the structure, the composition – just for the sake of being scientifically accurate.
And when I came to stitch it out, it was a constant battle to keep the colours under control. Sometimes they were too dark, sometimes too light, and it was a major struggle to keep them looking right against the background. Of course it would have been easier if I had used a plain, unpatterned background, but how boring that would have been! Starfish don’t live on smooth white backgrounds – they move over sand and gravel and stones of all different colours. So again it was a battle between science and art. It’s not perfect, and I keep seeing things that I’d really like to change but all the same I like it and I hope the recipient will like it too
So – it’s almost time for the holidays again and because many people will have other things to think about than embroidery, I will take a couple of week’s break from blogging. I hope to be back in early January, and meanwhile I wish everybody a happy and peaceful holiday
It looks so gorgeous! The colors you used are nice and smooth and correct and just great to look at.
Be sure he will love it! Not even one change needed!
I realy admire your work and thank you for sharing it.
Lenka
What a wonderful creation that will be treasured. Reminds me when I used my husband’s drawings of geologic structures for needlework and hooked rugs. Happy holidays and thanks so much for sharing your creativity.
Mia, I love it and I’m sure your friend and her father did also, even if they are not all scientifically correct. All artist and you are one, deserve to have some artistic leeway.
I forgot to wish you a Merry Christmas and a very Happy New Year.
WOW!!!!
You have inherited your art abilities from your Mother. I am so happy to hear from you each month!
Love everything that you do.
Encore un beau défi relevé Mia
Je trouve le résultat bien sympathique
Passe de belles fêtes de fin d’année
Chantal
What a Fantastic design that incorporates your creative artistic instincts with the scientific world. I am sure your friend’s father will treasure this magnificent tribute to his work as a marine biologist.
Mia, another one of my favorites. Like your other fans, I thank you for sharing your work. Happy Holidays!
What a lucky friend you have. Your artwork is beautiful. Thanks for sharing. I hope you have a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.
Truly lovely!
I think it is an awesome design, something anyone would love to have, I know I’d love it..
Thanks for sharing!!