Most of my embroidery work is entirely abstract; this piece from 2015 is one of the exceptions. I stitched it for 94 consecutive days, using only cross stitch and a few different blue threads. This is an example of negative space embroidery, which means stitching around a shape or image. I wanted the piece to evoke memories or longing for a distant place and so stripped the composition down to its bare essentials — a few trees clustered along a simple horizon line — the way a landscape experienced (or imagined or dreamed) might exist in memory. It was inspired by Rilke’s poem “Abend” / “Evening” (the link will take you to a site with the poem in German as well as two different English translations).
94 Days (Abend) is an example of my daily embroidery work. For these projects, I stitch on a particular piece every day — usually in the morning. The practice of daily embroidery allows me to integrate artwork into each day of my life, if only for a few moments.
This piece will be shown during March 2019 in an exhibition of my recent work at the Hosmer Gallery in Northampton, Massachusetts. The gallery is located on the second floor of the Thornes Library at 20 West Street in downtown Northampton. Gallery hours are Monday and Wednesday, 9 am - 9 pm; Tuesday and Thursday, 1 - 5 pm; Friday and Saturday, 9 am - 5 pm. There will be an opening reception on Saturday, March 2, 2 - 4 pm. Works by Lou Peugh and Emily Tareila will also be on view.