I embarked on a journey of embroidering on spheres with flowers. The process involved felting, stitching and sewing. The daisy is a universal symbol of happiness, as well as a symbol of life, and that has been my beginning. As a visual artist and florist I love the intricate beauty of flowers and the profound connection they offer to the cycle of life.
There is more to create, a sanctuary where happiness can bloom.
In 2022 I took up the challenge of hand stitching an icon a day for a year. That's 365 icons, many more threading the tiny eye of a needle.
It's been a lot of fun and along the way I have learnt a few things. I decided it would be full of happiness, things I had done, people who interacted, my garden and of course my cat Bizzel is there too. When I look at it now it is colourful, cheerful and full of memories.
I used a 10inch hoop. Would use a 12 inch if I did it again as small icons are hard to get detail. The wedges for each month are small so detail is difficult.
Keeping a drawing and story of each icon was invaluable in catching up
Always having needle threaded and embroidery handy to just pick up and do.
I decided in February to make the icons all face the same way so the finished piece when framed didn’t need turning to view.
December 31st has a happy face icon as I finished what was a challenge. In New Zealand we are the first in the world to see the New Year in. 2023 a new project underway.
So many happy memories tied up in stitch.
Bookmaking has its challenges. After spending time cutting pages, stitching a cover and binding that bundle, the first page often poses fear and anxiety.
What if I make a mistake?
I don’t really know what to write?
Shall I just leave the book blank?
This blank page is daunting.
Start at the second page. A quote is always a good way to start as someones else's words can give you inspiration.
Randomly paint a few pages.
Colour on a page can give you objects or patterns that you can make out. It's called pareidolia. Just like we see the ‘man in the moon.’ In some dyed paper I saw a blue splodge as an eye and so embroidered a few stitches.
Give things a go. There are no mistakes.
Quirky art is something that appeals to me.
I focus on work I care about and these women have their own story. The connection between the past and the present gives them their own voice. Recycling, retelling, remaking and re-using old parts to give a new life to items from the past.
Maybe I've made my own fashion parade.
“My life is a dot lost among thousands of other dots.” Yayoi Kusama
Yayoi Kusama has a fascinating history. I admire her gumption in standing up and creating art, despite her mother destroying some of it. She is a Japanese contemporary artist and at 91 is still creating.
In 2009 I saw her “Mirrored Years” exhibition in Wellington. The outside of the City Gallery was a mass of dots. The mirrors inside reflecting light and colour in an amazing kaleidoscope. The dots have became her trademark and she began creating “Infinity Rooms.”
The mirrored fabric represents both her dots and mirrors. The media used is stitching, dyeing and collage.
Having only grey linen during lockdown, I used red and yellow dye to brighten things up.
Learning anything new can be a challenge. Last year I joined an embroidery group. Who could imagine there are so many stitches!
My husband had a saying, “You have to have the gear to do the job.” That was to justify every power tool and gadget he bought.
I’m getting there. I have books and and kit. Its quite exciting learning a new skill and I'm planning on using it in my art.
I encourage everyone to give it a go.
Embroidery is slow but satisfying. I have had to set a few goals though, otherwise it will not be finished until next year. The push is on to do a row a day. Progress is being made. My first sampler.
As we slowly moved into the the exhibition there was no talking but more gasps at the shear scale of this exhibition. 546 panels stitched by over 600 people. After 125 years these women are still treasured for their hardship, resilience and determination, this is their memory.
I shed a tear looking from one panel to the next. It was overwhelming as each one seemed to find a voice.
I cherish this moment and congratulate every single person who was involved especially Caroline O’Reilly.
Thanks also to Wendy Welsh and Ryan Jennings for some of the photos
Its open until 31 August at the Wellington Museum.
