June 27, 2013

ready for viewing

My commissioned artwork number two is done! It took longer than the first, because it asked for a lot of hand stitching. As a matter of fact I thought this piece would be entirely hand stitched up until the near end. Then the art demanded a sky and the sky demanded a tree, and there I was playing with tulle and free-hand machine embroidery. 

Here are a few details to tease, followed by the full image. I am quite happy with the way this has turned out, if I do say so myself. I am especially pleased with the way the maps peek out, and if you concentrate, you can read names of places between the stitches.
chimney through the leaves
bay in the sky
piney woods behind the windows
entrance station through the front door
sea lion rocks by the stone wall
Santa Lucia © Natalya Aikens 2013
What do you think? It's so totally different from the other that I am sort of surprised. But at the same time, I am not surprised at all as the ephemera I was given was so different too. That's the part I really love about this new challenge, each one is guaranteed to be completely different from the other...On to the next one now!

13 comments:

Kristin L said...

Love it! It is so different, yet the big stitches and layers speak the same language. Now I really, really, really want to see the next one. I hope the series shows more potential patrons what you can do with THEIR homes and keep going with this.

Sue Reno said...

This is pretty fabulous.

Giddings Art said...

I Love this piece!! The layers peeking out make it so interesting! You are amazing.

Diane Doran said...

Wow!!

Cathy Spivey Mendola said...

Absolutely gorgeous! I love the strong architectural drawings with all the hand and machine stitching.
Great textures!

Gerrie said...

I love this one! I want to spend time with it, taking in all the ephemera and details.

Gail Ellspermann said...

Wow, Natalya, your work is amazing! Layers of interest, cohesion out of a chaos of materials, and your ability to bring forth structures with your stitching make this a very special work of art. Bravo!

Cate Rose said...

Oh wow, Natalya, this is fabulous!

Deborah Boschert said...

Amazing! What a fun and challenging project. I'd love to hear more about stitching on paper vs fabric...

Jamie Fingal said...

It is incredible. Depth, texture, design. Wow. It is truly a masterpiece. Congratulations to you!

Norma Schlager said...

Fabulous! So different than the last piece and still so very "you".

artful embellishments said...

This is so spectacular! I absolutely love it! It really is amazing the depth that you are able to achieve in your work! Thanks so much for sharing. You are such an inspiration!

Terry Grant said...

I want to see inside your brain! This is so original and lovely and filled with surprises and, did I say lovely? Marvelous work.