The President

Today’s the day that I have finally finished my Hand Embroidered portrait of Michael D. Higgins, President of Ireland. I am very proud of the many months of hand stitching and over fifty shades of DMC embroidery threads used to created this image. Anyone who knows me will tell you how much I love and am addicted to embroidery. I am always embroidering flowers, animals, birds and so much more to create pictures, brooches and buttons.
I do enjoy a big project every now and then and this time I chose a portrait and who could it be but our President.
​

It is always scary getting started but also exciting too. I study the image, choose the colours and sketch the drawing. It is amazing to watch the image grow and take shape one stitch at a time. Using a single stand of thread allows for shape and form to grow. I repeatedly check the original image for colours and ensure that my shading gives the right shape and tone.

During the process of embroidering the portrait I take lots of pictures. I love how they capture the image taking shape, the face slowing emerging from the fabric and tangle of threads. The image from the back has a beauty to it all of its own and some people prefer this side. Some would say this is hard work and although it takes time I find it relaxing. You get into a rhythm of stitching, relaxing your mind in to colours and textures . The sheer pleasure I get from embroidery is hard to put into words but it is a medium that suits my creative soul . 

I am not really in to posting pictures of myself with my art work but in this instance I am so happy and delighted with the portrait. I hope I have done our President proud and that you like it too.
If you want to know more about this embroidery just drop me a line.