Creative Candy: Takashi Iwasaki

Takashi Iwasaki's playful embroidered art speaks of a fantastic private world that is bright and beautiful.

Mogmogkukan by Takashi Iwasaki, 2011

I love his statement, which explains that these worlds he creates are actually quite personal:

"Most of my recent works (after 2009) are either visual recording of my daily life or visualization of my imaginary worlds or landscapes that no one would see unless otherwise depicted; whereas my earlier works have been mostly focused on their formal qualities.

Those recent works may appear to be abstract on the surface, however, most shapes and colors have meanings and origins that are very significant to me in the way I feel them, therefore they are very representational and are reflection of my state of mind.

Things that I feel are never the same in the next moment because I keep changing. Capturing moments and sharing my visions with others have been my recent obsession and pleasure."

Pkapkatogeshakin by Takashi Iwasaki, 2011

Shishitata by Takashi Iwasaki, 2010

Poetry by Takashi Iwasaki, 2011

Check out his full portfolio here, which includes more embroidery, paintings, sculptures, prints, and what he calls "abbies"--his nickname for abstract drawings.

Textile Tuesday: Kaylee Hibbert

Textile designer Kaylee Hibbert does amazing things with thread and fabric! They satisfy my textile and thread fetish.

Bespoke, hand-stitched wallpapers, shown at Tent, London, September 2011

I love this work done with furniture:

See more of her work and drawings on her site.

Embroidered Typography

Happy New Year! I spent the past week enjoying the company of family and two terrific nieces: ages 3 and 5. It's amazing how quickly time passes with children. And now we're in 2012, holy cow! I thought it apropos to start the year with this fantastic calendar designed by Iwona Przybyla. You can see the rest of the calendar and her portfolio at the Behance Network.

Creative Candy: Rosemary Milner

It's time to get a little romantic for a moment and talk about Rosemary Milner's beautiful embroidery, fabric, and wallpaper. Rosemary is an English printed textile designer, recently graduated with honors from the Leeds College of Art. You can visit her website to learn more about her approach.

Her embroidery takes me away to some windblown field in Victorian summer. But somehow her patterns have an updated feel that keeps them fresh and current. I love how she embroiders on vintage items, like doilies and handkerchiefs.

And her textile and wallpaper designs are just as amazing:

I am having a serious crush moment right now....sigh.

Etsy Crush Friday

Now, more than ever, I feel a strong desire to purchase items directly from the talented artists who made them. As a fellow creative who has often been paid far less than her worth, that desire has always been there, but now I feel it even stronger for obvious political reasons. We need to buy more from the source and nurture the arts. We need to take personal responsibility for our communities of artists and fund them directly. When they thrive, we thrive. I am so excited to see this idea flourishing more and more. It is unfortunate that it had to take an economic depression to do so, but I hope it sticks!

1.  Wolf King Card by Hillary Bird, $4.00

2. Mojave: Letterpress Coasters, set of 4 by In Haus Press, $10.00

3. Tree Stump Place Card Holders, set of 4 by Michiko Shimada, $24.00

4. Round Dream Le Striped Solitaire, by Fric De Mentol, $70.00

Check back every Friday for my latest Etsy Crushes.

Have a great weekend!

Creative Candy: Richard Saja

Happy Friday, Creatives! Today's creative candy is about Richard Saja, whose work I just saw featured in November's Elle Decor Magazine. 

I would describe Richard Saja's work as "thread graffiti": and I mean that in the best possible way. Saja stitches fantastic mohawks, clown faces, and burning homes over the angelic face of the picnicking bourgeoisie on classic french toile de Juoy. I've always loved the artist who can re-imagine a classic. Mr. X Stitch (so on the ball) interviewed him in 2010, and you can read that interview here. You can also follow Richard Saja's work on his blog, Historically Innacurate. Prepare to use the word "fabulous" a lot.

I am most impressed with his glow-in-the-dark projects and they have an interesting connection to his childhood: 

"My grandfather and I used to put together monster kits that came with two sets of faces, hands, and feet--one gray, the other glow-in-the-dark. The thread gives me my color fix, even when the lights go out."

And did I mention he paired with Opening Ceremony last year to create these limited editioin toile Keds?

My mind has been thoroughly delighted. Have a terrific weekend!

Creative Candy: Fine Cell Work

I first discovered Mr. X Stitch while floating about on Craftster, where he has been highlighting some fantastic needlework artists as a guest contributor. This led me to his own blog: a haven for all sorts of edgy needle artists. My favorite project highlighted on his blog is a charity named Fine Cell Work. Fine Cell Work sells tattoo-inspired pillows, handmade by prisoners in the UK. I love the way these look, but even more so, I appreciate the incredible meaning behind these works, which provide a small income to prisoners, as well as a much-needed creative outlet.

Fine Cell Work explains that participation in this program provides the following benefits to the prisoners:

    *Improved mental health and social skills

    *Promotion of a calm state of mind.

    *The passing of time productively

    *A strong sense of achievement, pride and self-confidence.

    *A more positive outlook on their future post-release.

What a beautiful solution.

Creative Candy: LUCKY JACKSON

Just a quick note today about an artist I am loving right now:  L u c k y  J a c k s o n.

Lloyd Love by Lucky Jackson

I stumbled across this work by the fabulous Lucky Jackson in an article by Mr. X Stitch on Craftster. Please visit that site for the full interview, it is well worth the time (also check out her Flickr photostream). 

This phrase stuck with me entirely:

“Most of my work features people. Circumstances has left me with none of my family photos from growing up and I love finding photos that can reflect my memories of my own past. I feel that if they speak to reflect my own past they must speak to others as well. I also love doing portraits of my cultural heroes. I grew up with a culture vulture father who instilled in me the love of all arts, music, visual arts, literature and movies. These figures have always been a huge inspiration that self expression should always be important, that if you are your truly unique self that everything will fall into place."

Ode to Tim Gunn, by Lucky Jackson, quilted, mixed acrylic paint, vintage fabric

Dropping In by Lucky Jackson, embroidered vintage fabric, sequin details

I'm hoping that very soon I can own one of her pieces (hint hint, hubby). There's something absolutely witty, nostalgic, and highly unexpected about them. Love!

Check back for another Creative Candy featuring Mr. X Stitch. His blog and podcasts are well worth a post of their own. 

Creative Candy: MEGAN WHITMARSH

Today's Creative Candy highlights MEGAN WHITMARSH , an artist who uses the medium of sewing and embroidery to make vibrant (and yes, sewn) renditions of common objects and garbage. This is not your grandmother's cross stitch. I love how she adds a modern twist to something we've come to regard as antiquated. Here here for keeping sewing fresh and edgy!  Now she is selling her collection of school supplies (below) at the awesome shop Grey Area, whose mission is "to present the best of what doesn't quite fit within the traditional gallery experience". 

SHARPIES

My husband and I first saw her embroidered canvas works (part of her "yeti" theme) two years ago at Art Basel in Miami where she embroidered brush strokes and tiny futuristic people dancing about with Yetis.  

color dance bomb, 2009, embroidery thread on fabric 

pink star, 2010, spraypaint, embroidery thread on fabric

Later we saw her work at the Wolfsonian Museum, where her sewn objects were peppered throughout the exhibit in surprising and delightful places, adding an entertaining commentary to what I believe was a permanent collection.   It made the exhibit a whole lot more entertaining for me! To check out more, visit her website at http://www.meganwhitmarsh.com.

(Giant Robot 63, Ben Clark, Giant Robot Magazine, march 2010)