
I am always looking for new ways to challenge myself which leads to new techniques. Ten years ago I added two embroidery stitches to a pincushion which ignited my passion for hand embroidery. Fascinated with the texture and dimension these stitches added to my pieces, I began teaching myself more and more embroidery stitches. Stitchery using threads of varying types and weights now create the final layer of my present work.
The development of my samplers, in particular Leaf Play 1, came during my first teaching trip to Australia. During this trip, I discovered myself drawn to Aboriginal Art—this art inspired the repetitive image now displayed on many of my samplers.
Previously in my classes, I demonstrated wool appliqué and stitchery on scraps of wool. I had accumulated bags of half-finished leaves when it suddenly dawned on me to appliqué the little pieces to a wool background so I could easily demonstrate layering and embroidery. It always amazes me how one small piece or technique can have such an influence on a body of work. Leaf Play 1 changed the whole direction of my art, as well as my hands-on classes.
All my quilts have meaning. Each one is a story of my life or travels. I think when you feel such attachment to a piece of art, you get so lost in it that it doesn’t matter how many hundreds of hours it takes you to feel a piece is complete. I have learnt over the years that the more I add, the more textural and interesting every piece becomes.
Creating is a journey for me and each piece I create is different from the last—with new techniques included to each quilt. This makes me so passionate about what I do, as each piece comes from my heart. I have never felt a need to create to please the market. Instead I continually invent new ways to do things to keep my students interested in creating meaningful pieces.
I think it’s the unpredictability and no-rule policy that my students really embrace. I use everyday images that I love in a simplistic style, adding character to my work through layering and thread. This is very freeing and makes for wonderfully individual creative pieces of art.
MORE
Sue uses an abundance of threads to add texture to her wool projects. To check out her appliqué threads +click here
Sue designs delightful ribbons for Renaissance Ribbons. To see Sue’s Ribbons +click here
To buy Sue’s book, Stitches To Savor +click here
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4 comments
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Patricia BelyeaRachaeldaisy—It was wonderful of Sue to share her story. PB
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Patricia BelyeaMartina—I am always curious about artists and what motivates them to make their work, too. PB
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RachaeldaisyI so enjoyed reading this post about Sue’s creative journey and inspirations.
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MartinaThank you for this interview . It is very interesting and always so great to get to know lots of new things.