Many people look at my embroidered tapestries and have difficulty imagining how such realism is achieved. However, I feel that if people of any age or ability genuinely want to learn, I don't mind teaching.
October 10th and 11, Diane Williams hosted a seminar in Ridgeland, MS, where the participants learned my process from A to Z. Three of them were experienced needleworkers and one an experienced painter so I felt free to cover a lot of ground. We started with a show-and-tell session (see photos below). Later we drew from life and reference photographs and learned how to correct our drawings until we achieved an accurate likeness. We assembled canvas stretchers and transferred the images from one surface to another. Threads were chosen and the stitching began.
October 10th and 11, Diane Williams hosted a seminar in Ridgeland, MS, where the participants learned my process from A to Z. Three of them were experienced needleworkers and one an experienced painter so I felt free to cover a lot of ground. We started with a show-and-tell session (see photos below). Later we drew from life and reference photographs and learned how to correct our drawings until we achieved an accurate likeness. We assembled canvas stretchers and transferred the images from one surface to another. Threads were chosen and the stitching began.
Aside from being the consummate host, Diane Williams creates fiber art every chance she gets and sells it widely. She's also a professional storyteller. In reality, she should more accurately be described as a therapist, a minister or a shaman who uses craft, art and, most importantly, speech as tools to repair her own psyche and the collective soul of the community. I feel extremely lucky to have met her. Like CCH Pounder, she is constantly on the lookout for ways to support artists. Here's DeSha with Diane during the drawing segment of the seminar.