Paint with Thread
Paint with Thread: In the Garden
Emillie Ferris
David & Charles
Turning to the local, the known and the somewhat obvious, artist and embroiderer Emillie Ferris narrates her ways and wills of turning nature and florals to the pure beauty of her threaded hand.
Ferris the ethereal custodian of her tale
She is a self taught embroiderer, who looks from not this society, maybe era. She has a magical quality to her and has achieved so much, considering that she is only thirty. From social media to writing roles to her constant art practice, her life is a moving one, in all the right directions.
Are you a ‘kindred spirit’?
That’s the section Ferris begins her welcome to us within. Across time as well as place - in her case, I agree - this book is what I would call an ‘embroidery classic’. In other words, it is an Austen, here to stay on our shelves, re-read at times of need. You will need to read it yourself to see if you agree. (Have you read her first title? I loved the similar book cover on a similar subject matter. If you love this then you will love her other title)
Her considerate visual vocalisations….lets delve into the book itself
Considerate, compassionate, all I know is that on reading this book, I feel at home, with myself as well as the subject. The book itself in looks is square, a hardback and has a children’s traditional publishing vibe.
The projects all have a standard, such as ‘beginner’. Do pick your level to make sure you start at something achievable.
The books vibe is a grounded one and I felt it calm me. Just like a garden can be a place of shelter and ‘sanctuary’ (page 23), her guidance is just so.
This is a slow book - not one where we will see something made and finished overnight. She talks about trusting the process and that has to be considered and understood - do not get inpatient, enjoy the time and the therapy from actually carving out that time for you - to see beauty birth before your eyes.
Before each project begins, she narrates a little story. This warms us to her personally and also the project itself. No longer are we stitching a cold item of fruit, no this is a treasure, as she says for the strawberry project, an ‘honour’.
True Artistry by Ferris
She tells us on page seven that we are all artists - she certainly is - the main feature of this book must be said that it is the painterly feel - the title of course tells us this, yet its truth lies in the outcomes, the projects - the shading and attention to detail of every considered form.
Note the harks of quotes to the world of literature
From The Secret Garden to the more magic of tales such as The Hobbit, a variety of quotes are published within this book as a part of the projects and text in general. They seem to fit.
Attention to the detail, the illustrations
At times, the projects may seem too neat ‘these are many for the high end embroiderer’. Yet think again, look at how this artist herself began - self taught. So have no fear, follow the ‘process’ as she says to us herself. Take the steps, do not look too far ahead. The illustrations are vital in this book for the projects to work - we need to be able to pause at each stage and the photos really help support this.
My final thought
This book is about buying into a life style and actually about putting into practice support for our everyday - it’s half about seeing the nature that might be there under our nose, if we allow time. The other half is about the art and letting ourselves have time to use our skills along with the teaching in this book. Do treat yourself to that time.
Where to buy a copy
