Wanderlust

Wanderlust

                                               19" x 37"

detail:  This work entirely hand embroidered and has taken me the better part of a year to complete.  Luckily I have had a lot of time on my hands, and needed to keep them (my hands) busy to keep my mind peaceful.  

detail:  this turtle was inspired by the photo below that I took while exploring the Galapagos Islands.  This was an unforgettable adventure that was in the true spirit of 'wanderlust';  defined by Merriam-Webster as a "strong longing for or impulse toward wandering"

Watching these prehistoric creatures wander was mesmerizing.  With seemingly no where to go they patiently and steadily kept on going.

detail:  this depiction was inspired by the photo below.

I began the project with the hand-dyed, yellow cotton and drew the 2 tortoises on to the fabric.  I created the shell, the under cavity of the shell, and the faces with embroidery floss.  Their legs I worked through with free motion stitchery because I wanted them to have the three dimensional feeling of the real dimpled legs.  After the tortoises were done, I felt that they needed a context since they seemed to be 'floating on the fabric' and so I worked hand dyed silk organza and cotton around them to set the scene.  Then I stitched seed stitch over the layers of organza. in various tones with embroidery floss.  Not a straightforward path to the destination, but then wanderlust is never straightforward.

Robert Louis Stevenson wrote; " I travel not to go anywhere, but to go.  I travel for travel's sake.  The great affair is to move."  This is what I miss most during COVID.  The freedom to travel freely for travel's sake.  I have an itching lust for wandering.