Liza Smeeton - Textile Artist

 

Tree’s for Life

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Trees for Life was the second 'Ecostitchers' project, exhibited as part of Derbyshire Open Arts in May 2022. 

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 My work was based on lichens, growing on tree trunks and branches. The different colours, textures and forms seen on walks around where I live.

 

I created my own background fabrics using an embellisher machine, applying other fabrics and wool tops onto a wool base to produce unique coloured and textured backgrounds. I then added scrim, velvet, machine stitch plus lots of hand embroidery. Explored using different stitches to create the right texture.

 

My final layer is to add things like painted linen buttons, circles of free machine stitch, beads and sequins to create 3D textural textiles. These have been displayed in vintage tins, tea cups and under glass domes  to show that embroidery doesn't always have to be placed in a frame, creating a series of ‘lichen gardens’.