I’ve been noticing lately that my work is settling into three distinct styles:

• Embellished Fabrics (left)
• Representational (center)
• Abstract (right)

I suppose I could separate out the Tambour-style pieces as a separate style, but when I looked at them next to the other abstract pieces, I could feel a strong similarity. I seem to be drawn strongly to the abstracts right now. When I look at the overall work I’ve done in the past few years, it’s definitely heavily weighted in that direction. What got me thinking about this is the set on Flickr that has all the embroidery work, regardless of what other set I might put it in.

At first I was feeling very disjointed — like I couldn’t make a decision about who I am as an artist. But looking at the work, I could see not only a progression over the years, but also common threads across the styles. A love of curves and flowing lines definitely seems to be a unifying factor of the work from the past couple of years. The flowing running stitch lines as “filler” is definitely becoming a bit of signature. I don’t really consider it filler. For me it’s often intended to represent Shekhinah, or the Divine Presence. It’s something we don’t often see in our everyday lives, so why should people see it in my work?

It’s silly, but this little personal artistic style inventory has really made me feel good about my progression as an artist over the years!

Technorati Tags: embroidery, artist, process, style, signatures, hallmarks, inventory

Size: 3.5″ H X 2.5″ W
Materials: Silk, Glass Beads, Cotton Floss, Ribbon, Guinea Hen Feathers
Stitches: Running, Bullion, Blanket Stitch, Beading
Status: Available on Etsy

This is my first study for “Lilith Flys Away.” Normally I just go from sketch to full scale versions, but I felt like doing a “proof of concept” first with this piece. I’m pretty happy with the study. This study is 2.5 x 3.5, which is the standard size for an ACEO (Art Cards, Editions and Originals). I’m finding myself drawn more and more to mixed media work. I’m still doing some straight embroidery work, but the mixed media feels like a better way to really express ideas.

Technorati Tags: lilith, artwork, mixed media, aceo, original

This design came to me in an absolute flash of inspiration. When Lilith starts talking, I stop what I’m doing and pay attention. Apropos of nothing, I started seeing elements of a 6×6′ design of her and immediately grabbed my notebook and started to sketch and make notes. I’m very excited about this one and may put the Sunrise Mizrach down to work on this, once I have all the materials I need. I don’t always know exactly what I want for a piece, so it’s pretty interesting to completely channel a design and all the materials in one sitting.

She’ll make a great companion to the Queen of Sheba I did a while back. I hadn’t intended to do an abstract Lilith, but I guess I am now. I don’t know if you can read my scribbles, but the view is of Lilith flying away from Adam. Her body is an hour glass and I think I’ll give it the look of sands running through it for a little “memento mori.” I’ll use real feathers for her wings. I have some stunning guinea hen feathers that should work pretty well. I immediately saw her hair done with couched recycled sari silk yarn. I did some quick research online and it really is exactly the look I want. I’m debating between all reds or multi-color with emphasis on the red. The last major element is the cowrie shells in the corners. Those are both “yoni” imagery and hints of the seaside cave she flees to. Oh, and unlike Sheba which I did on black Dupioni silk, I’ll do Lilith on black leather.

Technorati Tags: lilith, embroidery, fiber art, notebook, sketches, inspiration, channeling

I’m working on another piece in the Tambour stitch style. I haven’t completed the finishing work on the pomegranate challah cover yet, but I hate that part so I’m stalling. Really what I’m excited about right now are these great project cards for floss organization! I love that I can write the numbers directly on them and there’s even a magnet for the needle. I think this is the most organized and untangled my floss has ever been on a project!  This is actually a design I could almost replicate and now I have a good record of what floss I used.

Oh, and a Mizrach is a wall-hanging intended to go on the east wall. Traditionally it’s to remind Jews of which way Jerusalem is when they pray, but for me it’s really about the sun and remembering that it will rise again in the morning no matter what today has been like.

Technorati Tags: wip, mizrach, embroidery, judaica

W.I.P. Pomegranate Challah Cover, originally uploaded by Carly & Art.

Almost done with this challah cover. The embroidery work is actually done, and I’m just down to the finishing work. I find that far less inspiring so I often stall there.

The design is based on tambour stitch patterns, but tambour stitch is done with a special hook and this is done with a plain old needle. It’s really just a chain stitch. I saw an article about tambour stitch in an Australian embroidery magazine I stumbled across at the book store and really fell in love with the style. It’s stitched with DMC Pearl Cotton, which had a nice effect.

I stitched most of the flourish around the pomegranates at my last Kohenet training intensive. I felt like a positive Madame DeFarge, capturing all of the stories and magic of that experience in my stitches.

I’ve decided that I’m so in love with tambour stitch that my next project will be a tambour-style stitch Mizrach. I’ve already drawn the design out on the fabric and it’s a sun rising over the water with rays in the sky and rays in the water. Of course, I finished the outline and realized I didn’t really have a palette of colors at my finger tips to begin stitching.

Technorati Tags: wip, tambour stitch, chain stitch, challah cover, judaica, pomegranate