Heart and Soul, 2024

Hand embroidery on calico with paisley cotton bandana and tie-dyed calico, 22cm x 22cm

This artwork is the first of many where I focus on combining my passion for hand embroidery with the magic of patchwork. I’ve experimented a lot since my chronic pain became constant in 2019 with patchwork, quilting, pieced felt appliqué, illustrations printed on felt appliqué, beading and tie-dye. I have had a shit time full of grief, self doubt, anger, limits, failure, crushed dreams, fears, frustrations and fatigue. I have also had a happy time full of experimentation, creativity, learning, pride, vulnerability, success, surprise, fulfilment and fun. Being an artist and being disabled is a constant up and down but my mission is to always make art. The needle is included for obvious reasons, but I like to include this kind of mechanical pencil in my artwork because they are my Grandma’s favourite. I also like the nostalgia of crayola like pencils and crayons as they remind me I have always made art throughout my life. I thought this would be a cute embroidery to start with and I chose to add a Log Cabin border after having fun experimenting with this style earlier in the year.