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| Original Mixed Media Artist Card (4x6) "LISTEN AND LEARN" - NFS ONLINE SHOP |
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Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry. (James 1:19)
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ART MEMORIES - STORYTELLING
BEFORE PHOTO _________________________________EXPLORING (process of becoming): I started with a vintage library index card as my substrate. I added one of my original monoprints (green color scheme) that was created using acrylic paints on a half sheet of copy paper, printed on a Gelli plate. I also included a snippet of my original artwork titled "Process of Becoming" which I had digitally printed on linen fabric from my alchemydee Spoonflower shop. It had some Kantha stitching (embroidery) using DMC white threads to calm down the intense saturation of color - I created this remnant piece during my 2022 stitch meditation challenge. You can also see in the BEFORE picture some beautiful recycled green color fabric strips and trim bits that were gifted to me by a dear lovely artisan named Gae Sharp-Richardson. One of the bits was taken from the deconstruction of a rag rug. I met Gae through a private FB group page called Stitch Meditations. You can visit her Facebook page Happenstance on 7th where she shares images of her creative reuse art.  |
What is Kantha stitching - embroidery? Kantha work is usually done with running stitches, but there are variations to this embroidery that uses other stitches too. I am new to the world of embroidery so running stitches are a fun way to stitch meditate and slow down my thought process on a busy day. Helps me to listen to what's happening in my body. If I'm anxious, like lately at doctor appointments, I pull out a small remnant of fabric and get to slow stitching with needle and thread. Listening to my body is a very important process I have taken for granted for many years. I turned 50 this year and I am now learning to be mindful of my mind, body, and soul connection. Reading scripture is not enough for me. I meditate and dwell in the Word while diving deeper into the meaning through creative explorations. I find that I learn much about myself by focusing on what expressions of faith, mark makings, I create inspired by scripture.  The top fabric in neutral tones of green and blue is from my ALCHEMY remnants stash, handstitched inspired by the Kantha stitched fabric bits (seen laying side by side in the background) that Gae gifted me during our swap in 2022. ENJOYING (spiritual wellness): What I've learned through today's creative exploration, and mark-making, inspired by the Word (James 1:19) is that my spiritual wellness and creative growth require patience, sacrifice, and forgiveness. I cannot achieve what I desire on my first attempt if I rush the process of becoming. I need to slow down and listen to my process of visual storytelling to make sure I'm placing everything accordingly. I did learn to not become upset with myself and not to lose my peace. Nothing will become of my creative process if I lash out at myself with words of disappointment. I need to surrender the idea of perfection and forgive myself when things don't result as desired. I also learned that beauty can come from the sacrifice of things once labeled as "the perfect stitched fabric". A friendly reminder that a seed must die in order for something to break through the soil, reaching toward sunlight. Sometimes the growth results in a beautiful flower, at other times it's a delicious fruit or vegetable. I sacrificed my Kantha stitches so that the harmonious color scheme of the green textiles would be the main focus. I was listening to the color balance of the artist card as it came together. My machine stitching was done in white thread to allow for a muted softness of movement to travel from the soil/undergrowth to the faint stitched shoot to the left of the words LISTEN AND LEARN. Can you see the movement? I learned that I need to slow down while using the sewing machine. My foot was weighty and I was worried that I would run out of time, so I wasn't listening to my heart beating to the tune of a buzzing foot petal on my Bernina. I was a bit sad that much of my Kantha stitching was lost, hidden under the recycled trim rags but hey, that's what happens when you do improv work with a 15-minute cutoff. I like to think of the small stitches as seeds lying under the layers of greens. Soon they will shoot up with new growth and life. ~ Blessings, Sandra ______________(CHANGEMAKERS)______________ |
www.alchemydee.com
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