Just now I’m in a state of mild hysteria trying to get some work ready for a large local exhibition that I’ve been invited to exhibit at. The pieces for this really have to be large and arty and intellectual, so for the moment I’m getting all serious and have had to postpone a lot of the more light-hearted and decorative pieces that I’ve been wanting to do.
This one is about as arty as it’s possible to be, and it won’t be to everyone’s taste. A few weeks ago I was listening to Radio 3 (the BBC’s classical music station) and the announcer introduced a piece by Benjamin Britten called “Fish In Unruffled Lakes”. I was fascinated by the title, and when I Googled it, it turned out originally to be a poem by W. H. Auden. I couldn’t resist trying to turn it into an embroidered panel in the series “Text With Animals”. The words were the most important thing to me, so I made them very large and bold, with the fish sort of slithering quietly between the letters, the shapes of their bodies broken up by underwater light
Metallic fish in a blue lake
Although you can’t really see it in the scan, the fish are stitched in metallic thread to give them a little more glimmer. I’m not sure if it works, but it’s fun to play around with unusual ideas and images like this
By the way, some readers have been kind enough to ask what changes I made to the Three Trees panel I posted a couple of weeks ago. I wasn’t happy with the root area so I made it a little more complicated. I also thought that having just a plain landscape with no animals was a little boring, so I threw in three birds
Above is the original version: no birds and no roots. On the right is the new version, with added roots and birds
Stunning, as always! I’m glad you’re making progress on the large arty designs!
Love this, where did you find the font? It would make great pillows for a sun room, part of the poem on each. Great job!
Fascinating! Love the segmented fish as seen through ripples in the water.
You are being your usual artistic self. The design isn’t for me, but as you said, it is for some and not others. However, I can definitely see why a lot of people would love it.
On your trees, yes the roots and birds do add to the design.
Your Fish In Unruffled Lakes is beautiful and unique. Thank you for allowing us a peek into your creative process thinking as well. It should be a hit at the exhibition. I also like your enhancements to the Three Trees. I totally enjoy your blog.
I like your trees
It’s very beautiful
Thanks
I am so happy I found this site. Your designs are breathtaking.