Stillness: Sea #2
©2011 Lisa Call
3″ x 3″
Textile Painting (Fabric hand dyed by the artist, cotton batting, embroidery floss)
Mounted on Stretched Canvas (finishing to 5″x5″)
Stitching and Stitching
These hand-stitched little textile paintings are a fun chance to play with an art form I much admire but rarely do myself. I love the sinuous organic lines that I can create with a needle and thread in hand.
Each of these tiny textile paintings requires hours and hours of stitching. Partly because it is inherently slow process, and partly because I’ve got little experience with it.
My fabrics are also very dense, making it extremely hard to get the needle through. I’m going to try out some other fabrics and see how I like it next.
I posted Stillness: Sea #1 a few days ago, along with a brief artist statement for the new Stillness series. Tonight #2 and #3 are ready for their debut, both of which feature much denser stitching.
The photo that inspired #2: rocks in the ocean.
This textile painting is mounted on a painted stretched canvas:
The Jungle Appears
Stillness: Sea #3
©2011 Lisa Call
2.5″ x 3.5″
Textile Painting (Fabric hand dyed by the artist, cotton batting, embroidery floss)
Mounted on Stretched Canvas (finishing to 2.5″x3.5″)
In this textile painting, the sea and jungle meet, as they did at our private beach in Costa Rica at high tide. It was breath taking.
This photo shows the beach at low tide.
As with all of these hand stitched textile paintings, even the small artist trading card sized artwork will be stitched to stretch canvas. In this case the canvas is the same size as the artwork.
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{ 6 comments }
Very nice, Lisa. I think it’s interesting how I can see the influence of your usual style in these very different pieces.
One thing that helps me stitch through thick layers is a thimble. It sounds so archaic, but it does help. You can also get these nifty leather ring ones that kind of snap on your finger instead of going the old-style metal route.
Also consider increasing the size of your needle. The thicker shaft will push the fabric threads aside more making the bulky bit at the eye with the thread move more easily. And sense your fabric is densely woven, it should close back up around the stitch easily.
i Lisa
I really enjoy your blog.
You are probably using Pima cotton as Nancy?)and this is hard to stitch through. My favorite fabric to dye and to use is P&B Dyers Muslin. Takes color beautifully but is a little bit less dense and is easy to stitch through.
Like your photo interpretations.
It is wonderful to see these new pieces! Your ability to identify and assess how to get motivated and focus on producing work is such an inspiration!
I love your handwork and your machine work. Can you stitch through the canvas to attach it? If your using another method is it archival?
I use a finger cot to help grab the needle and it puts less stress on the fingers so that you can stitch with less pain.
Ooh…I’m feeling so inspired by your latest pieces. I love the texture of the hand stitching. I second the suggestion of using a thimble and if you decide to use a metal thimble; look for one that has a grid pattern on the tip and also has a slightly raised lip around the edge. It helps keep the end of the needle from slipping off.
I also took a look at your pictures and love #188 of the stones at the beach with jungle so close to the water. Some day I hope to get to Costa Rica.
Your work inspires me in every way. I love needle work and hope to get back to it soon.
The colors and simplicity of your designs unclog my mind and bring peace and harmony
to my mind. Thank you for keeping this delightful blog.
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