The Red Kerchief by Caela Conn Tyler

In most cases, any reference to Monet’s masterpieces conjures up mental images of shimmering pastel colors. The Red Kerchief contradicts this with its dramatic use of dark neutrals paired with stark white. In this work, Monet created a pervasive mood of mystery punctuated by a compelling focal point, Madame Monet’s bright red kerchief, that draws the viewer’s attention to the depths of the painting.

I chose to use two canvases in my adaptation, emphasizing the deep space that Monet achieved. The gauges of the grounds differ (18 ct versus 24 ct), further reinforcing the illusion of space. The emphasis of the foreground canvas is perspective. The viewer stands slightly off center from the French doors so that, although the doors themselves are centered, the directional perspective differs on each side of the door. I elected to use simple stitches that emphasize the linearity and that could be resized to further support the perspective. Because Monet’s brushstrokes are so unrefined, almost crude, I used hand dyed threads (providing constant color and value change) to eliminate the appearance of smoothness on the walls.

I interpreted the outdoors part of the scene in a very different manner – more refined with more detailed stitch treatments, including exposed canvas stitches. This approach connected with the finer gauge ground fabric. I sought a bit more contrast than exists in the original painting, so I include a few departments re: texture and sheen. Although most areas use “everyday type” threads, I used a few rather dramatic exceptions; the sparkling Angelica (bonded into a sheer polyester fabric) underlay of the snow, the shirred Rachel fur trim on the coat, and very shiny filament silk in the red kerchief.

NOTE: I have not included any reference to the curtains because I am currently stitching/completing the piece and I’m not sure whether I will use silk shiffon, a soft, small-scale lace, or illusion

The most important difference from my early attempts at embroidery and my current creations is that I have now married my two loves – painting and stitching. The pained background gives me direction while the needle embellishes and emphasizes. New techniques in dying threads have given a further dimension.

A piece has turned out well when it expresses the beauty of the world around me.