May 11, 2006
Kim: How difficult is it to paint with thread?
BJ: It isn’t difficult but does take time for the work that looks painted. The lace work and images that are drawn are quite fast….check out Variations on ‘H’ (hands) and Contemplating Chaos on the web site. Chaos has a drawn figure and the Hands piece is just lace.
If students start out with something simple that can go quickly, they learn free-motion as they create an image. I usually have them start with a tree. It looks complicated but is very simple to do. A single leaf is harder with all the shades of an Autumn leaf. Shading of colors and shadows (mixing colors) takes a lot of thread changes in the machine, much like mixing paint. It’s not complicated, but you end up really looking at details….seeing!
I encourage participants to draw, especially those who want to go on and sell their work….that way they have their own style and are not copying someone else’s work. Many say they can’t draw but they can. I like colored pencils to create my original image since a line of pencil is like a line of thread, except we can go light over dark with thread. One needs a two dimensional image by the machine to keep referring back to, while embroidering whether it is a drawing or a photograph. For a tree, you only need to look out a window and can wing it.
Painting, Drawing, and Realism in Machine Embroidery
Layering and blending threads to create realistic images
BJ Adams
October 22-28, 2006
All Levels
Kim: Is it also for beginners?
BJ: I find students at all levels…those who just want to have a hobby and those who are professionals. This workshop is aimed at all levels.
Whether your free-motion machine subjects are realistic, stylized, or abstract, the results can appear painted, drawn, or lace-like. These images can be part of or added to wall hangings, quilts, wearable art, or functional textiles.
There will be many examples, books, and pictures available as well as slides to be shown.
Kim: It sounds like a fun class. Thank you.
BJ: You’re welcome