Bitchin Stitchers: Design and Thread

Meet the latest rock star of the embroidery world, Evelin Kasikov. She is an amazing stitchy artist who sews on non-traditional mediums such as paper, film, cardboard and plastic. 

First seeing her works, I was mesmerized by Kasikov's use of design and color to create harmonious yet fiery pieces. The artist has obviously h ad design training in the past because the many layers found in her pieces are mind boggling. Preferring to work in bright, luminous colors, Kasikov uses small cross-stitches to create letters, words and swirls on her 'canvases'. She is truly, a multi-media artist and challenges traditional notions of craft, embroidery and design.

 

Can you believe that "a" was stitched?

She also sewed these books together herself. I am in love, seriously.

Visit her official website here.

Currently (re)Reading: Wide Sargasso Sea

Originally published in 1966, Wide Sargasso Sea went unnoticed for some time before it became the "it" book for the Caribbean. Written by Dominican writer, Jean Rhys, the novel tells the of the-imagined Bertha from Jane Eyre. Antoinette, the novel's protagonist and voice, tells the story of her birth in 19th century Jamaica to the very end, where she has been changed into Bertha in England.

I hated Jane Eyre, Jane drove me absolutely insane, so when presented with Wide Sargasso Sea in my world literature class, I was hesitant. I was pleasantly surprised however, when I realized that the book was set in my home Caribbean. I was even more surprised, however, when I came to relate to Antoinette in such a person and endearing way that finishing the book became difficult. It was too personal, too close, too emotional for me to go near. Over the years I have read and (re)read this book so many times, my copy has thumb prints embedded into its spine. It gets harder to read the book though, every time I go to it but I always fear. I am afraid of it in a way, but I can't stay away from it. Cliche, I know.

Give it a chance, and you'd get to know me better.

Small Inspirations: Honestly... WTF?

I've followed this website for some time, and I must say that the women who run, Honestly WTF are absolutely AMAZING. I wish I had a mind like theirs!

Below is their tutorial for a DIY Gretchen Jones necklace. I can totally see myself replicating this process, perhaps without the neon nylon thread, but bey this could be some serious fun!

This DIY tutorial is not my property, all credit, intellectual and artistic rights belong to Honestly WTF so remember to give them credit!

Honestly WTF

T' Ingum Dem Song: Gyal A Mad Ova

 What can I say? I love this song.

Fibre

Something fun to share!

I Dream A Dream: Long Island

Funny enough, I adored this piece and everyone else liked the pineapple. You can never know really with these things. I had more fun completing this piece. I adore forests and trees, they are in a way, another automatic-style of mine, my comforting sort of thing to do. This forest was different however, I normally slap a tree on the side, do something in the centre and bam, art! I didn't want to do that for this piece though, I wanted to do something better for them.

Who are they? My grandfather, my Aunt Audrey (who died a few weeks prior to the opening, she was essential in making this painting, indeed, she gave me the germ of its beginning), my roots and heritage. To note, I am biracial. I come from a Black Bajan mother and a White Bahamian father. I am proud of my parents, my both sides. I am neither confused or 'different', I am whole, from 2 different halves, like everyone else. I have noticed this thing though, that to be biracial with white is not 'exotic' enough for some, or maybe even something to run from (past conversations in America, don't ask really). I feel close to both of my heritages. I have been to Barbados, I have lived there. I have not, however, been to Long Island, the island where my grandfather was born and raised. As a result, I have wanted it, pined for it. It has become a sort of motherland, a fabled place, a fairytale and dream. Drawing from this I wanted to depict Long Island in Audrey's Choice in a 'nostalgic' manner, childlike almost and very illustrative. It is what I imagine, and I know, not the reality.

Bitchin Stitches: Who Say It Ain't Art?

Can we just take a moment. Yes, I promise it is necessary and breathe and look and go, HOW?

These pieces are quilts. Nuff said. Go check this Bitchin Stitcher OUT!

Art is by Terry Grant of Oregon. I applaud her, she is helping to bridge the gap in what people label as 'craft' (like that is so bad really? Call me weird, but I think a craft is good) and art.