CHABELI RODRIGUEZ
Embroidery
Portrait courtesy of Chabeli Rodriguez
Bachelor of Architecture graduate at The City College of New York.
Inspiration
What inspired you to pursue embroidery?
The typical nomenclature of the art form is traditionally referred to as embroidery, however it has taken a very contemporary art form in the last decade. It is now often referred to as #needlepainting; it is the act of embedding an image, shape, or visual on any given cloth, canvas, or felt using needle and thread.
Since I was very young, I often used different mediums such as pastels, color pencils, charcoal, watercolor, acrylic, however I wanted to look for an art form that took on a different practice. I wanted to find something similar to the choices made when choosing a lineweight for your leadholder; a delicate form of art that leaves a heavy impresion.
Architecture has taught me to think and create less conventionally. Through the different uses of materials, textile art can evoke a different emotion through the use of varying textures. With embroidery, you choose the thickness of your thread and any textile as your canvas. Every individual puncture and pull leads to the overall composition of your image. It is a medium that can be used for study as well; similarly to sketching and figure drawing, I often find myself focused and studying each element that constructively portrays the image before me.
As a novice in embroidery, I started embroidering by studying several paintings by Frida, Van Gogh and Hokusai. By observing how they use strokes and colors in their pieces, I have been able to train my eye for texture and direction. In my Frida piece (my favorite, and still in the works) I wanted to represent the colors of the LGBTQ community; a community in which she has uplifted, especially within the Lantinx community. Image courtesy of Chabeli Rodriguez.
Starry Night Embroidery. Image courtesy of Chabeli Rodriguez
Time Management
How did you manage to maintain your time?
I believe that in all practices, checking in with yourself is imperative. By taking on meditative practices, you are giving yourself a space to ground yourself; once you do, your flow of creativity becomes less viscous, and sometimes, effortless. Embroidery is that foundation for me. It allows me to take a step back from my creative process and align myself with steps needed to reach my goals. I take time to embroider during my commutes in and out of the city, during lunch breaks, and early mornings on the weekends.
Embroidering is my "warm up" before taking on another design challenge.
Ideas
What are the bases to start embroidery?
To begin embroidering, all that is needed is canvas/ felt, embroidery floss, a scissor, and a hoop. The hobby is pretty inexpensive and is a great way to pass time! There is also a huge community on Instagram that takes embroidery as an art form for activism, compositional art forms, and debunking gender stereotypes within the practice itself and society. Examples of artists who inspire me are Bryony Porter, Meghan Madonna, Katie Mongoven, and Walker Boyes. I am also very inspired by historical painters like Van Gogh, Monet, Frida Kahlo and Hokusai.
Waves Embroidery (in progress). Image courtesy of Chabeli Rodriguez
Waves Embroidery (finished product). Image courtesy of Chabeli Rodriguez
Resources
What resources do you use?
Needles (The thicker the floss the thicker the needle)
Embroidery floss (or beads, sequence, fabric)
Canvas (or what I commonly use; felt)
Varying hoop sizes
Embroidery Scissor (Careful, they're sharp!)
And you're ready to go!
Want to #Embroider? Follow These Steps!
I have yet to work with organizations regarding embroidery, however I have been in connection with several graphic artists, painters, and activists for projects to come in the future and I look forward to sharing what is in the works very soon! I am also always open for joint ventures!
