For Melbourne-based artist Belinda Marshall painting is a passion, but when she needs a quiet creative outlet and can’t find time to paint she turns to embroidery. Belinda says that stitching in this way is like painting with thread.
“As a mother I find myself with bursts of creative energy at times when I can’t get to the studio to paint. I’m fairly crafty and love to make so I usually have a craft project or two on the go. I find, even on days that are studio days, that getting up a little earlier than the kids to sit with a coffee and a quiet project makes for a better day ~ and a happier me! Lately, this quiet project has been embroidery,” explains Belinda.
Belinda teaches abstract painting workshops, which have shown her that people are keen to understand how to explore creativity through abstraction. “I thought by offering embroidery kits based on my own abstract work, I could share an unspoken experience of sinking into the abstract art process with others,” she said.
To this end Belinda has created a small range of beautiful embroidery kits. The kits include her original designs which are locally digitally printed onto Belgian cotton/linen, together with beautifully coloured threads, a bamboo embroidery hoop, a needle and instructions.
Belinda is running a crowd funding campaign to get this new project off the ground and to cover the production costs. In addition to purchasing a kit you can also be part of an intimate studio stitching session, embroidering in good company with yummy food and excellent wine.
For Belinda the process of designing embroidery has been similar to the creative process involved with painting. She says “I approach both without any imagined outcome or plan and they both evolve in an organic way. Free mark-making and stitching, followed by sitting and looking, until it feels just right”.
These lovely designs are very much about slow stitching and allowing some calm and meditation into your day. I love that embroidery is portable and put-downable too – making it very adaptable and accessible, and perfect for snatching some creative me-time in our hectic lives. Belinda describes it as “kind of like colouring or doodling only the end result is a finished piece of art for the wall!”
See more and purchase an embroidery kit here. Belinda’s gorgeous fine art prints and original paintings are available from her online shop.
If you’re interested in peeking behind the scenes and to learn more about artist Belinda Marshall’s creative process check out my Space to Create interview.