Embroidery in Progress - Cats

I haven't yet decided if I prefer working on linen or felt, with color or no color, so I'm just playing and experimenting with both. I know for sure how much I like using the split stitch for outlining. It's just more interesting than the back stitch and a little more forgiving if stitched crookedly, which is great for a beginner like me!

More Embroidery - Cats in Repose

Cats in Repose

Just finished this tonight and had fun learning some new stitches.  I love the chain stitch!  I can't wait to use it in color next time. For this design, I decided to keep it all black and white, like my original drawing. I had fun embellishing it with white stitching. I like the subtlety of it.

As far as I can tell, there are only light brown wooden embroidery hoops out in the world, unless you buy vintage ones. I like a darker look so I've been staining my hoops with a mahogany stain. I then seal them with two coats of polyurethane. It's extra work, but I think they look so much better, it's worth it.

Some detail

P.S. You can find my art for sale in my Etsy Shop :)

Learning Embroidery

"Spots"

I've long been cross stitching other people's designs, for 15 or 20 years now. I thought it'd be fun to turn my drawings into needlework of some kind. I love embroidery so decided to give it a go. I learned a few stitches online (split stitch, back stitch and satin stitch), very basic. It's such a nice, relaxing pastime (like mosaics!) and I'm looking forward to experimenting with different stitches and techniques using more of my designs. Stay tuned!

P.S. You can find my art for sale in my Etsy Shop :)

Sketchbook Drawings With Ink Pen

Woman and Her Dog

Gazelle and Friend

I've been drawing more and more in my sketchbook lately and just wanted to share some recent creations. Hope you like them!




Happy Halloween!

Trick or Treat!



Thank you card for Elizabeth Stewart at KZSB Radio



On the Radio!

Elizabeth Stewart

This morning I was a guest on local radio station KZSB 1290AM with fellow mosaic artists Betsy Gallery and Wendy Brewer, and Miles Carroll from Menelli Trading Company. We were interviewed by Elizabeth Stewart on her show, Art and Antiques, and talked about our recent Pop Up Gallery, as well as a little bit about ourselves and our artwork.


Me

I had never done anything like this and it was so interesting to see the workings of a radio station!  Elizabeth was so friendly and easy going, I was able to rid myself of early nerves and relax into the conversation and just have fun. You can listen to the replay here. Thanks so much, KZSB, for having us!


Wendy

Miles and Betsy

Richard

New Notecards Available

Folded notecards of my fennec fox mosaic, "Reverie," are now available on my web site. They measure 4x5.5", include envelopes and are blank on the inside. You can find them as well as my postcards and book, here. :)

Mosaic Show at Menelli Trading Company

Betsy Gallery, Christine Brallier, Wendy Brewer

Had a great show last week at Menelli Trading Company in Montecito, CA. So many fun and interesting people to talk to, wine and yummy food, and of course, lots and lots of art!  My mosaics were shown with the mosaics of local artists Betsy Gallery and Wendy Brewer. We have very different styles from each other and even work in different materials.  I enjoyed the variety and hope the visitors did, too!  Thanks for hosting us, Menelli! 




Christine Brallier

Wendy Brewer

 

Betsy Gallery

Christine Brallier

Wendy Brewer



Christine Brallier

Betsy Gallery

Wendy Brewer

Betsy Gallery



Christine Brallier



Wendy Brewer

Betsy Gallery