I’m done with Norman. I really like how he turned out. I’ve been worried lately that I’m all technique and no substance. Doing a bunch of portraits doesn’t exactly help.
I’m especially proud of how thick and tactile my stitches are. They actually cast little shadows. The reason I don’t use glass in my frames is that I’m inviting people to touch my work.
I used woven stitch on his clothing. It was fun. I know it’s very literal, but I think it identifies my work as stitched rather than painted.
I think the portraits say a lot more as a group than they do alone. Thanks for sharing this experience with me.
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May 11, 2010
kniterdone
kniterdone
5 responses to “Mission Accomplished”
Eileen
May 11th, 2010 at 18:14
He turned out great! I actually find these portraits really disturbing outside of the great technical skills. As you pointed out in a previous post these are names of people we are familiar with (in passing for us not as involved in the military, yet still a part of our vocabulary), and yet I don’t remember ever seeing the men attached with the name. It brings a whole other level of reality to my perceptions. I really like the dark maroon background you used for Norman and the weaving looks great.
CraftyGryphon
May 12th, 2010 at 07:41
Very cool. The woven stitch is just perfect, as you said. (And ditto on the “it’s fun!”)
Gran-Knot-y Embroidery Lady
May 13th, 2010 at 11:05
Just got here for the first time and I wish I stay and check everything out – I will be back, as I am fascinated by your floss, well your stitcheries too :0)
melissa
May 13th, 2010 at 18:42
i’m kind of speechless upon looking at these works. they’re amazing. i find them moving.
jafagirls
May 18th, 2010 at 13:08
I am quite fascinated with your technique and I agree the fact that they cast a bit of a shadow really adds a another textural quality that makes this work so interesting. I don’t see them as JUST portraits because the technique has moved them beyond that.