Category Archives: Embroidery

Bella May Leonard is a mixed media visual artist working with hand embroidery processes and patterns. The UK-based artist creates these ‘sculptural embroidery’ using a variety of items including tape, inner tubing, electrical cables, washing lines, wool and cable ties on punched acrylic sheets. On an interview with Textile Artist she says this about textile art and her chosen medium:

“The sculptural aspect of textile art for me is intriguing; three-dimensional, interweaving threads that build up structure with colour and texture is exciting. Textiles are loaded with history and can communicate to a universal audience, making textile art, to me, very accessible. While it demonstrates considerable thought and consideration even if intuitive, it is an art form realised physically; its tactile nature is captivating.”

“I elaborate on hand embroidery techniques, responding to the materials I choose and collect. I enjoy battling with colour and would describe my process as a collaging technique. Making decisions with colour combinations, scale and shape are made intuitively as I work until I feel a piece is resolved and balanced. I really like using materials that have connotations of previous use, so my process feels resourceful and the work is unique in its experimentation.”

You can follow the artist on her website, Facebook and Twitter.

Images: Courtesy of Bella May Leonard.