My mean teachers didn't like my rich opulent applique embroidery!

[ludicrouslouisa]

Ok so I had to do two textiles pieces for assessment, and I only had three days of class time for each one..so I did a lot of this in my own time. And embroidery takes a very long time as you well know, it took me about 40 minutes for just ONE of those little green feathers!
(I'd embroidered the face beforehand btw, that took two days solid of embroidery.)

I was inspired by kazakh and indian embroidery and wanted to create a very opulent effect with rich patterned fabric and a combination of stylised and more realistic eyes. I used chain stitch, buttonhole stitch, satin stitch, split stitch, a tiny bit of running stitch, feather stitch and scroll stitch.

My teachers, however, said that I needed to do more experimentation. "do you consider this finished?" one of them said cattily, adding that she didn't think I demonstrated the commitment needed to take textiles at university.
Naturally I was very upset seeing as I do all I can..I really don't want to sacrifice any more of my life for uni, I already do 35 hours a week in face to face time for one!
I'm thinking I want to change courses to printmedia and drawing, where the teachers aren't so ridiculously demanding.
Anyway, this is about the embroidery, rather than my depressing time at assessment.
More pictures can be seen at my site
http://www.louisagiffard.com/blogitem.pl?id=61

[audette]

I think your piece is wonderful, and I am sorry that your professors could not be more positive in their views. Sometimes people forget what it's like to be on the other end of the assignment. keep doing what makes you happy!

[hipslikecinderella]

I think it looks great (but then again, I'm not an art professor  )!  I love the different fabrics you used in addition to the wide variety of stitches.  I think it's a gorgeous vibrant piece.

Good luck to you in your decision, and I hope you find out what's the best for you.  I'm sorry to hear that your professors' criticism wasn't a bit more thorough or helpful.

[maehem]

I think it's absolutely beautiful

[autotrophic]

i love it! and you took beautiful photos too.

i think you could easily integrate what you're doing into whatever you major in--even if it's technically painting or printmaking or whatever, you could keep this unique style and incorporate different media.

your school might be different than mine, but i'm majoring in painting and printmaking and i've turned in more than one project where i worked with fabric and stitching instead of paint...and i've seen a few people add hand embroidery to prints/drawings on paper as well. 

but anyway...long story short, i think you should do what makes you happy, but i could easily picture walking into an art gallery and seeing a whole room full of different works like this.

[Radmom]

I think it is a nice piece. I also am a little concerned when a professor decides what is complete and not complete. My art teacher at junior college was a gem. Everything was based by OUR own opinions and classroom polling. He wanted all of us to learn how to critique but do it cautiously yet constructively. I was sad to have to leave that school. BUT this is not about me this is about your wonderful piece.

Also, I am sure you heard this, but it bares reminding about Uni's... For every ONE hour you are in class...there is 2 hours of homework to be done later. So, if you honestly have 35 full hours IN CLASS with a professor there teaching, then that is 70 hours in your dorm room on your own. This is why University students burn out. Just stay calm..remember its only one semester at a time. I Promise in the end it will all be worth it.

Good Luck.

[CraftyMcCrafterson]

My degree was in design and let me tell you something I learned. Professors say a whole bunch of crap just to see if you'll stick through it or not. It sucks but you have to have steel guts and learn to take their worst criticism as a compliment. Some professors can even seem a bit nervous when you exceed their own skills, so watch out for that. I only came across a few that were that way but they made a lot of my peers drop classes like hot potatoes.

In the end, the only person who decides whether or not you go forward is you.

[kniterdone]

I wouldn't take it personally.  It sounds like a critique, not criticism.

[Trekky]

I think it is gorgeous!  I love the richness of the texture.  Screw what your tutors say & do what feels best for you

[Fair Rosamund]

Mean teachers!  This work is gorgeous! Unfortunately at uni you have to jump through the hoops (embroidery pun not intended) but you should ask them to be more constructive in their criticism. Failing that tell them to look up Tilleke Schwarz and kiss your toes cos your work's beautiful! And it's finished when you say it's finished!
Stay positive and keep stitching