An Invitation

If you're in or around Amherst, Massachusetts, this month and you'd like to see some art, stop by Gallery A3 to see the current group show. Juried by Loretta Yarlow, director of the University Museum of Contemporary Art, the show presents work by 41 artists from the Pioneer Valley, including one of my abstract embroideries:

Bonnie Sennott, Wrinkle Embroidery VI, 2014, perle cotton on linen, 12 inches by 12 inches

As I've done with the others in my wrinkle embroidery series, I started this piece by wrinkling the linen, then selectively stitching the wrinkles with back stitch.

The composition developed organically as I worked. One morning while stitching, I noticed a flash of red in my backyard—a cardinal—which inspired me to add some satin stitch in red. From that point on, the piece gradually acquired the feel of a landscape (not surprising, since here in the Pioneer Valley we are surrounded by hills and mountains, which I love to draw).

I do some stitching every day, usually in the early morning, no matter where I am. In this way, art is a daily part of my life, even on the busiest days.

These daily embroideries are an adventure—I discover where I'm going as I go. Working improvisationally—as opposed to planning everything in advance—does have its risks. The composition may end up too busy or lack focus. But this one held together, I think, and I'm glad to be showing it.

There's a reception for the artists tomorrow, July 12, from 4:00 to 7:00 pm, and the show continues through August 2. The gallery's located in the center of downtown Amherst, between Amherst Coffee and Amherst Cinema. Hope to see you!

If you're in western Mass. and you'd like to try your hand at embroidery, join me for my next embroidery class at Knack in Easthampton on Saturday, September 27. All materials are included. Sign up at Knack.