Perseverance by beve s. handwerger

My work generally develops spontaneously over an extended period of time in which I think it through, change it, experiment with it...in my mind. Fabric, materials are often the motivation. Once defined, I begin pulling materials, following the concept worked out in my mind, knowing it may and probably will need changes as the work itself takes over and dictates direction. The piece grows, much like watching a child grow. With an emotional idea, I’ll experiment with concepts, design and materials in my sketchbook. I need to work it through where it visually takes shape.

Two and a half years ago I became quite ill. Perseverance is my climb back from that illness. It has taken two and a half years to complete this piece because for a year and a half I was unable to work on anything.

My illness occurred in the fall of the year….the background is done in fall colors. The Bird of Paradise flowers are my husband and me. My husband, who never left my side, and had to deal with medical situations no husband should have to cope with. The flowers are stitched in bright and cheerful colors as we both had to stay upbeat; he for me, me for him and myself. The flower is stitched on artist’s canvas because the lure of a unique and different ground fascinated me. It was also the perfect medium for the flower and afforded me the opportunity to join two mediums which I love, painting and stitching.

Means & Method: I saw a floral painting in a gallery and said "I can do that". The Bird of Paradise flower was painted on artist’s canvas; the flower petals then Collaged using colorwashed lace and paper, the leaves with colorwashed fine netting. The petals were then stitched using Cross, Satin and Herringbone stitches, following the colorwashed areas on the petals. The center vein in the leaves is a colorwashed canvas thread, couched down, then over-stitched with Raised Chain Band stitch. I then, very carefully, cut out the entire flower and leaf design from the canvas, which was padded to raise the design from the background which is dyed wool. On top of the wool is fine netting cut in leaf shapes which I then over-stitched to create a densely planted area.