These are samplers of variations on drawn thread work and pulled work, a contemporary version of traditional embroidery techniques. They are part an ongoing project and were first made for a workshop by Tracy A Franklin (another textileartist.org workshop).
I love the result here, it all looks so lovely, though the work of making itself does rather strain your eyes!
Creativity gives us a mental boost. But sometimes I just don’t have the ideas, the confidence or even the energy. In those cases, I've found that just filling up my sketchbooks, just starting with some colour and a (small) blank page before me, without expectations, is so soothing and calming and re-energising. Besides, the practice, even if it doesn’t result in a nice sketch but rather an ugly experiment, is what stretches the creative muscles.
I also find that working with another medium, with a sketchbook and some colour, influences and inspires my textile work.
That’s why I’ll be sharing some of my sketches now and then with you, hope you don’t mind!
