This SAL post is a couple of days late. Time seemed to slip away from me. This stitch-a-long is hosted by Avis, and should have been up on Sunday. At least now you will be able to check out everyone else’s posts (check the list at the end of this) and see wonderful stitching from around the world.
I have been working on free-form stitching of late. I enjoyed couching the threads on the last works, and have been carried away with couching on this current one. It is based on my love of trees. Many of you will know of my love of trees ~ not only individual trees but also the shapes and rhythms of them as a canopy. (If you would like to read more of where my tree obsession comes from, this post might help.) As I am stitching I am thinking of all the trees that have been lost in the fires over the Summer.
I am calling it “The Forest Regenerates”, but I may change forest to bush, to give it a more Australian flavour.
Its size is 25 x 30 cm, because that is the dimensions of a canvas I found to use when I am ‘framing’ it. I started without really thinking much about where it was going, only to find I was having problems with the tones. I couldn’t see which trees may be behind and which in front. Fortunately couching is very easy to pull out. (This photo doesn’t give you the true colour of the cloth, which is actually a vibrant purple.)
So I began again. (The cloth colour is better, but it is still a more royal purple than shown here.)
I was merrily couching along, until it dawned on me that it was becoming rather repetitive.
Inspiration came from Patricia Brown who stitches over her paint cloths. I love her work. My work demanded some overstitching to help to make it zing.
This is where I am up to…
And a close up
Lots of lovely SAL projects at these links
Avis, Claire, Gun, Carole, Sue, Constanze, Christina, Kathy, Margaret, Cindy, Heidi, Jackie, Sunny, Hayley,Megan, Deborah, Mary Margaret, Renee, Carmela, Jocelyn, Sharon, Daisy, Anne, Connie, AJ
And a quick follow up on my reorganisation of my studio/playroom. I had some great suggestions in the comments about getting my table to fit so that I could face the window. It is all sorted ~ thank you!
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And again, while I have got you, a reminder about my Letter from my Studio, which comes out each fortnight (although lately it has been more erratic than I would like). In it I chat about my art and direct you to places where you can buy it. Jump to this link if you would like to sign up.
44 replies on “SAL ~ The Forest Regenerates #1”
Gorgeous twiggy, crusty, bark-like texture! And the studio looks so much better like that, even in a photo. Light, and a view…
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I am very happy with both the studio and the embroidery! I love that you see twiggy and bark textures, as it reminds me that we all see different things. ☺️
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Wow, it looks amazing, I love all the texture you’ve created 🙂
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Thanks Margaret. I think the extra layer really adds to it.
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I love the textures. You must have so much patience!
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That made me smile, Emma. I do have patience, but it’s not needed here. it is all very random, and I just go where I feel like going, and what feels right. I admire the patience of the other stitchers in the SAL group with their the cross-stitching and other works they create.
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I wonder whether artists need a little impatience to fuel their creativity?
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I love the way your embroiderie is so spontaneous and the way you create texture. It makes all the stuff I have done look so tight and prissy. I must have a o with couching and try not having a pattern – after all I can always undo it as you did if it doesn’t look right. Thank you for giving me a push!
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I think it helps to not have a tight plan. I have created tree canopies in various media now that I have a reasonable understanding of how the tones work. I am glad I have given you a push ~ just play, and see where it takes you.
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Lovely texture in your embroidery – that overstitching works so well. I have a project in mind for later this year that involves embroidery, so I will be browsing your links for further inspiration.
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The over stitching is very random, so that makes it more interesting too. I would love to see where your project takes you.
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Loving where your “trees” are taking you. Interesting how one thing leads to another, because we want “something” just that little more challenging…I can attest to that from this here space…
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I never seem to tire of trees, which is just as well!
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Your studio looks quite functional – I like the layout.
The Forest Regenerates – the title gave my heart a little twinge in light of all the recent destruction near your side of the world. Lovely piece and textured stitching!
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My studio is very functional, and I have things to hand. You must miss that with your space being ‘on show’ at the moment! I am not good at titles for my work, but this seemed to resonate with me too.
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I like how your choice in background fabric makes such an impact on the art produced.
BTW: clicked on the Patricia Brown article…wow.
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I agree ~ Patricia Brown ~WOW! I love where inspiration comes from!
It surprised me that the purple was the right choice, do I am pleased that it makes an impact.
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Anne such beautiful rhythm and color
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Thanks Alys. It is what I am aiming for, as I love the rhythm of these canopies. As you know, I have done a few of them so far!
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Love it !
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Thank you! I am enjoying having something that I can pick up and put down, and that I can sew at night. it helps me to use the time that I have available.
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Wowser! No wonder you are obsessed with this! The studio looks great too. 🙂
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I do move away from trees, but usually come back to them again! I feel so great in the organised studio, although I have stalled on some of the piles of stuff.
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Yes, that happens to everyone!
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I’m eager to see the finished product on the embroidery, but I must say I love your workspace … so orderly and organized!!! I’m jealous!
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I am glad the studio looks ordered and organised, as I am not sure that it is….or there is still a way to go! However, it is a pleasure to work in.
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That’s all that counts!
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The textures look fantastic, and I’m thrilled to see you get to look at the window again!
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I am so pleased that I could reorganise to look at blue wrens in the window too. I put up a blind, which helps to cut out some of the light that reflects from the house next door.
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lol – sometimes it’s too much of a good thing. 🙂
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I LOVE the colors on these SALs!!
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Hey Anne, I just signed up to your newsletter (I thought i already was, but…?). On the sign up form, you have two spots for Last Name…just thought you might want to know since I know how tricky it can be to set up those stupid forms.
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Thanks for the heads up on the form, Tammie. It is a while since I have played with MailChimp, beyond sending out the letters. I will have to tweek it.
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Good luck!
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Purple is a very in-your-face colour, but it seems to work on this piece. (You might have to take my word for that, as it is a very tricky colour to photograph!)
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Such great colours and textures on this piece, Anne!
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Thanks Catherine. The colours are very bold, and I love the textures too. Embroidery is such a tactile medium. isn’t it?
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Terrific textures, Ann – suggestive of so many aspects of land and growth. A layered landscape feel for me, and very painterly!
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Thank you Lynne! I am pleased that you can see the land in there. I get a bit lost at times!
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Great texture that you are achieving here. The overstitching really adds to the piece.
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I agree with you about the over stitching. It was looking a bit tame without it, and needed something a little more wild.
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Do I like it? YES, I do!!!!! Fantastic and so inspiring!
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Oh thank you! Have you begun your own impressionist work yet? 😉
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[…] also had the current links to others who are joining in. So, I will link back to my SAL post from last time. Your other option is to go to Avis’ post. As well as getting an up-to-date list, you can […]
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