Antelope with Laserdisc: an exploration with stumpwork embroidery (PIC HEAVY)

[teachart]

Hi Craftsters!
It's been a long time since I posted anything, mainly because I've been working on this beast. This is my FIRST attempt at stumpwork. This is a mainly a mixed media piece. I decided to put it in the needlework category because that is mostly what I wanted to explore in this piece, also that's the part of this piece that took the longest.

This piece was made for grad school. Given more time, I'd make some changes, but overall I'm happy with the results. I was telling my history of art education in the piece. I won't bore you all with the symbolism that I used; unless any of you are interested of course!

Onto the pics!


Antelope head before I cut him out of the hoop. Was a scary thing to do! I must have spent 40 hours on the head alone- all those french knots!


On the wall

Close ups:










I wish you all could really see the texture of this piece. Not to toot my own horn, but it's pretty amazing. The french knots are mesmerizing!

And the inspiration for this piece, a collage made by my wonderful husband:


Please let me know if any of you have any questions- about materials used, techniques etc.! I'll be happy to share what I learned during this process with you. Also, C&C welcome! I can't get  better without critical feedback!  

[jemimah]

Awesome!! Amazing!! yay for stumpwork

One idea if you do a subject like this again (please don't take this as a criticism - the piece is fantastic as it is, this is just a suggestion for future work). You could try doing the ear as a separate slip just attached at the base for even more 3D-ness.

Can't wait to see more of your work!!

[teachart]

Great idea for the ear! I don't know why I didn't think of that! I don't thinks it's too late- I may stitch up and ear and take your suggestion. Thanks you for the advice ( not taken as a criticism by any means!  )

[SoCraftyTal]

Awesome! This rocks! 

[kittykill]

WOW! That is so cool! I love all the textures.

[teachart]

Thanks for the nice comments!

I'm not completely happy with the piece the more I live with it; I think It needs to be re-figured a bit. I think the scaling of the image with the size of the canvas isn't quite right.

[BlankGirl]

wow i just saw your other post of your 'stump work' and i think this one is my favorite. both you and your hubby are increadibly talented!

[teachart]

wow i just saw your other post of your 'stump work' and i think this one is my favorite. both you and your hubby are increadibly talented!

Thank you so much BlankGirl! This one is definitely more my aesthetic than my other stumpwork piece. The monarch was more of a technique practice piece for me; using wire to provide stability to a piece of embroidery and attaching it with wire.

I'll pass the compliment on to my husband as well Thanks for looking and commenting!

[zkatom]

I love this!  So perfectly fanciful. 

[teachart]

Thanks zkatom!