I have decided to stitch another female nude.

Ummm...I understand what you mean, but even those who paint often find certain things they enjoy painting. I have a friend who painted florals and portraits, and yet another who paints only fantasy. I've stitched original pieces in both metal thread, and silk and metal, but did florals, where others chose birds or whatever. It's just what appeals... In Jim's case it's female nudes, he does what he loves...go Jim go!

take care, Linda D. in B.C., Canada

Painting doesn't always have to be creative artwork. It, too, can be a pleasant pass time. Art is not about what medium one uses but about what level of creativity is involved.

And I certainly agree that Jim should stitch what he wants to stitch. I was just pointing out that the exhortations to try something new might come from someone who doesn't understand the concept of stitching as leisure.

Elizabeth

Bloody hell. Since Elizabeth hasn't been making funny comments lately I thought it was safe to drink while reading. WRONG. Dawne

Elizabeth , you are AS USUAL twisting my words, i didn`t have any trouble Undestanding Why Jim preffered to stitch Nude ladies , i just was curious if he wouldn`t want to expand his subject. Asking such questions is part of my creative process. Sometimes i curate exhibitions , sometine i [proof]read catalogs or Galley Papers , sometimes i write gallery papers, Sometimes artists call me for LOOKING at their work and discuss parts of it, for many reasons. You might not understand it , but asking a person such questions shows , more interest and respect than just Congratulating or Hoo Haaing his choices . And last not least , there are many many people who stitch for Both pleasure and to fullfil their creative urge/need /call. And i really don`t know what you mean by...". Being Pressed to push one`s creative bounderies,...". I am not impressed by this kind of art . Serious artists don`t have to be pressed by this , they just Do it, When they have a gift and some good training it comes as a Natural development. There will be ups and downs, but it will happen. mirjam

Linda , there is no reason for you , to be puzzeled, by my curiousity, about JIM`s chosen subject , I didn`t say i didn`t understand why he wouldn`t stitch a male nude, i just am curious about People`s Creative Background, The thoughts and feeling that motivate their working so hard on any kind of project. If he was a student of mine i would understand from his posts. That for him Stitching a nude lady in that slow technique is in fact more like undressing his model, stitch after stitch. Which is jusr as ok as a person who stitches a flower petal after petal or a cat hair after hair. Iqlways Try to know What the key is to the creative process. mirjam

Dawne i am just curious, working with artists about all kinds of subjects , questions etc,,, i try to learn more and understan as much as possible about that great MYSTERY ,, the creativity and the ,motiovations behind it. The more i know the better help i can offer to those who need /request my help . mirjam

e quoted text -

Elizabeth How many of your clothes have you ADORNED with your stitching. ? If i do use stitches for both craft work and art work , one Could assume that i might Like it a little??? That i might relax when i do it ... Or are you caught in the Image of the "Suffering Artist". Most artists i know Actually like and enjoy their chosen technique[s]. Surprise , surprise , Some of us are very lucky and can combine creating our art and ENJOYING It while we Do it !!!!! mirjam

Mirjam wrote Dawne i am just curious, working with artists about all kinds of subjects , questions etc,,, i try to learn more and understan as much as possible about that great MYSTERY ,, the creativity and the ,motiovations behind it. The more i know the better help i can offer to those who need /request my help .

I think that has been clear as I have come to "know" you a little bit over the years we have both posted. Actually your first response to Jim's post gave me an interesting thing to think about---while there are many things I think are beautiful, there are only some of those I would try to capture in stitches. Some in other ways, maybe a drawing or a photograph, some not at all. It is not from a limited perspective on beauty, nor, I think, is it from fear of trying something new. Interesting to ponder. Dawne

Well Jim is expanding his range a bit. From what I recall, he usually stitches classical nudes and this is quite modern.

It is just as well we have our own filters, because as it is too many of us have SABLE status. DORA

Thank you DAWNE ! Sorry for only seeing this post today, as i was busy elsewhere.

Thank you , this is a very nice compliment, and i am feeling the same way about your writing here.

I am glad that it made you think, I myself was intrigued and started to ponder since his title said ..."..Decided to stitich ANOTHER ,,,,,", and my mind immidiately asked ;Why Another of the Same kind , why not ,,,,,

You have put it in a Wonderful way ,,,, There are Many things i never try to stitich/weave /knit etc... And something JUST SHOUT to me that they WANT to be transliterated into fiberart. Most of my works are , in a certain way `stories` or `statements`, thus i take Natural forms and use them in my art for the sake of the story. mirjam

The question was not if he would expand his range ? moving from a classical nude to a more contemporary one keeps him in the same Area? My question was if he ever embroidered a male nude? I do ask similar questions, in my talks with other Artists. Some artists `repeat` the same subject most their life. It is ok , but i try to understand why? Other artist , sort of moove from subject to subject. Painters and sculpters working in series [of same subjects], is really EASIER for gallery owners, who are selling those works.they also easier for critics who want to catalog those works. After my first artworks were publicly shown and some people were interested in them, i got offers from gallery owners , to Make a Serie of the SAME subject.I refused ,I have thought a long while about those matters, read a lot asked questions etc...Thus i refused those offers and i explained that fiberart isn`t like a drawing or a sculpture and i can`t make the SAME work again and again. I also said that Having one long Warp on my loom and sometimes working months on the same work , maybe is like making a series of drawings. The ART of our time, is in a transition , like our culture[s]. By asking and trying to understand Why and Jow people do something, We all can learn more about those changes around us. mirjam

On > I think that has been clear as I have come to "know" you a little bit over

Ps Dawne , one of the sights that might be interesting to embroider or recreate , but i don`t do it ,, is the sight i have now from my window ,,, the Pommegrande tree is in full bloom , wonderful red conus shaped buds ,,, on the verge of opening , and the Green leaves around it in soft green. While some of the branches of the Lemon tree, in darker green with some Lemons ib bright Yellow are intwined into the pommegrnade`s branches ,,,, a wonderful work for levels of xst in all those greens ,,, etc,,,, But no i won`t do it ,,, mirjam

(snip)

It is stitching related, and I think it is worthwhile discussing. I am not expanding my range. The problem I faced was finding patterns I wanted to stitch; ones sold in stores tend to be for the female taste, for obvious reasons. What I have succeeded in doing is recognizing those pictures which will turn into patterns that I am willing to stitch. What this process is, I am really not sure. But what I do is to look through many, many pictures and pick one that I like. It so happened this time it was Vargas nude; the second I have done I may say. It is not rocket science; just my funny internal feelings. Jim.

I doubt any of us stitch things that don't appeal to us unless implored or paid to.

I love whimsical but detest cartoony representations. I'm not too fond of primitive or country looks either.

What do you like to stitch?

Looking at Maureen's cross-stitch magazines over the last year or two it seems to me that Disney have a strangle-hold on designs with twee "flower fairies" coming a close second. However, Maureen hasn't stitched any Disney and would probably throttle any flower fairy that was unwise enough to get near her needlework; items from a medieval bestiary are more her style. Bruce

"anne" wrote ...............

I doubt any of us stitch things that don't appeal to us unless implored or paid to.

I love whimsical but detest cartoony representations. I'm not too fond of primitive or country looks either.

What do you like to stitch?

I have a great liking for the old German & French monochrome patterns. If I had imagination they need not be monochrome, but as I lack it I stick to one colour for effect. I love to use fancy silk overdyes as the effects are subtle, though I am not over thrilled with the laundering of these pieces (they are mostly useful pieces or household linen).

When monochrome bores me I adore CA Wells designs (& she is coming back to Perth again next year), surface embroidery and crewel, and my lace pillow is feeling terribly neglected. So many choices, so little available time.

Joanne in Perth Western Australia

I'm like Anne in many respects. I actually do like to do things for kids though not cartoony as a rule. However, when my kids were younger, I did do Pooh and Mickey Mouse denim jackets for them.

I like to adapt some art, mostly Impressionist era. I love some of Laura Perin's stuff, especially her use of color. But not the flower collages. Also Birds of a Feathers' French ladies (I think that fits the whimiscal but not cartoony definition). Also enjoy occasional embellishing.

Once, I did this absolutely great piece that was from a picture my kids got in some art set made up of a lot of jungle animals, leaves, etc., all fitted into one another so by the time it was done it was solid stitching. I have been looking for another picture like that ever since, but have never found anything just right. Those Mindware coloring books are closest, but not quite right.

It might be easier to say what I DON'T like: florals, flowers on the table, flowers with kitties in a basket, boring landscapes, Care Bears, MLI's ladies/fairies. I like stuff with a bit of an edge.

Linda

Things that are interesting in subject - don't do fine art stitching. Do like stitching with interesting or a variety of stitches. Don't do traditional hardanger, but do more modern variations. Don't do "cutesy" trite sayings, but that's me - I may find them funny, but won't stitch.

Lately, been doing kind of mad, cute things, or historic types or samplers. Mad cute, as in the Raise the Rood "Off the Deep End", going to do Tom & Lily "Romeo et Juliette et Compagnie" . Also got "Amager Panel" from Needleprint in the queue - and working on Poseidon from Lynne Nicoletti, about to start Black Willow Farm from Carriage House. All have something I find clever in the subject. Serious work - might finish someday the Love & Wisdom from Drawn Thread. And now almost done stitching "Hannah's Box" from Indigo Rose.

Too much out there.

ellice

If either of those pieces fall into the mad category, can you point us to pictures of 'em?