I go along to a painting group once a week, as a way of keeping in touch with more conventional media, and to give me ideas and inspirations for embroidery. However everybody keeps telling me that my work looks as if it should be done as textiles – I'm not sure if I’m pleased or annoyed by that! Anyway I thought I’d take them at their word and interpret one of my paintings as an embroidery. The one I chose was a semi-abstract study of a pot plant – perhaps not the most exciting subject but the painting had some nice colours and textures.
The original painting
The original painting was broken up into small areas of different colours and textures so I tried to repeat that in the embroidery. The background fabric was stamped with square motifs, and overstitched with areas of light stitching. The pot is made up of angular pieces of fabric stitched to the background, but with the edges left loose and rough. The leaves of the plant are done in more conventional applique
The embroidery
Well, yes, it sort of works. But having seen this I can see that I should have done the embroidery differently – maybe softening the edges of the leaves and integrating them more with the background. It’s a lot more static than the painting, and overall I think I prefer the painting. It just helps to confirm what I’ve always thought –that each art medium has its own requirements, its own strengths and weaknesses, and it’s not easy to translate from one to the other. Oh well, back to more straightforward embroidery projects
I like yours best.
Interesting. I like your ideas to blend the leaves into the background more, but I find myself wondering if a simple reversal of techniques would accomplish what you want. The technique you used on the pot that left the applique edges to wave and fuzz on their own seems like just the thing for the leaves. I wonder if you used the traditional applique technique on the pot (to make it “harder”) and the raw edge technique on the plant fronds to make those edges “softer”, if that would get closer to your ideal?
I love the pink and red sheep and request the free design. Thank you!
Also, just want to say how much I enjoyed your geese embroidery photo. It is so very interesting
That pink sheep is just too cute. I’d love to have him. Is the August Chicken also still available? If so, would you send him also.
I have been so busy this summer remodeling my old kitchen that I have really gotten so behind with things I like doing.
Thank you for offering these free designs.
This is a very nicely detailed sheep! I wouldn’t mind having it if you please.
And thank you!!