There’s pure magic coming out of Firecracker Studio, the home of Wellington, New Zealand multimedia artist Katherine Bertram. Formally trained as a printmaker in Sydney, Australia, Bertram creates incredible works of art using freehand machine embroidery, skillfully placing thread to create uniquely captivating images — like this striking fabric-collaged portrait of her daughter, complete with blue crown. THOSE EYES.
Bertram’s stitching creates texture and nuance out of stark black and white, in a manner that echoes engraving or linocut prints.
Her work’s not only at home on gallery walls — Firecracker Studio sells embroidered items like these bird purses and cushions, for usable textile art that brings a bit of that magic to everyday life.
Captivated by Bertram’s unique style? See more of her portraits, creatures, cityscapes, and fabric collage pieces!
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Gear Threads is brought to you from the offbeat gals at Urban Threads. Created by illustrator Niamh O’Connor, Urban Threads is revolutionizing machine embroidery one edgy, elegant, innovative, and/or offbeat design at a time. Discover the future of digital stitchery at www.urbanthreads.com.
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18 January 2015 at 8:32 pm
Wow, thankyou for this lovely article. I just found it on line and was thrilled. I have just completed some new images that have my freehand machine embroidery and hand embroidery as well as silk screen. I have enjoyed reading through all posts and love seeing the community of textile artists from around the world. Best wishes and thankyou Katherine
Ps ravenna does have the most spectacular eyes, mesmerising.