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Book Review: The Art of Embroidery

Staying on the theme of embroidery, I thought that I would share two of my current favourite books.

The first time that I heard about Annemieke Mein was when I discovered her book, "The Art of Annemieke Mein: Wildlife Artist in Textiles", first published in 1992 by Penguin Books Australia, Ltd.. An Australian of Dutch descent, Annemieke is an artist who uses textiles as her medium to portray her passion for the Australian wildlife. To create her realistic, sculptural wildlife tapestries, she uses an exciting combination and variety of fabrics,  paints, threads, beads, etc..

Cover of "The Art of Annemieke Mein: Wildlife Artist in Textiles".

Her work is amazing in it's realistic portrayal of elements of nature. Her skill with a fine tuned needle and thread is extraordinary.
Here you can see how she combines sculptural relief with hand applique, machine threadwork and painting.
Aside from providing some serious inspiration and an exploration of the possibilities of needle and thread, the book is a beautiful coffee table book that provides an exciting excursion into a gallery of fibre art, which is in fact, art, whose medium happens to be fibre instead of canvas and paint.

*****

The other book that is currently on my "favourite things" list, is "The Art & Embroidery of Jane Hall." published in 2007 by Search Press Limited, Turnbridge Wells, Kent,  UK.  Jane is another needlework artist whose passion for nature and wildlife expresses itself through needle and thread.

Her work is a little more ethereal and has a lighter touch then that of Annemieke Mein. Silks, organza's, gold and gossamer threads play a strong role in her work and bring a graceful, delicate beauty to her pieces. Her work, also sculptural, focuses on detailed and intricate embroidery. Her accompanying narrative to the work is thoughtful, almost poetic and lyrical. A lovely read anytime you need a little inspirational lift.
Cover of "The Art & Embroidery of Jane Hall."

Remember those cicadas that I wrote about in my last blog? Maybe it's time to take them up a notch into the world of sculptural relief!

Comments

  1. AnonymousMarch 25, 2014 at 7:30 PM

    Thanks for sharing the Annemieke Mein book. I haven't seen that one. It looks lovely! I too, have the Jane Hall book. It's exquisite! Happy Spring (even if Spring hasn't come to Chicago yet)!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Seams FrenchMarch 26, 2014 at 7:06 PM

    I'm not sure if the Annemieke Mein book is still in print, but if you can find it, it would be worth getting. One of my favourite quilting/stitching books ever. Happy spring to Chicago!

    ReplyDelete
  3. monika@mysweetprairie.caApril 1, 2014 at 10:13 PM

    mmmm hmmm LOVE them. I do see the A.M. book in bookstores! Reflections of nature looks lovely. SO nice. : )

    p.s. thanks for saying hi : )

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Seams FrenchApril 3, 2014 at 3:07 PM

      Thanks for letting me know that the Annemieke Mein book is still available. Her technique is well worth studying. Hope spring arrives very soon in the prairies. Thanks for the visit.

      Delete

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