Still-life Botanical Embroidery November (3 Sunday Classes)

This is a 3 week class. First class Sunday, November 1st. Last class Sunday, November 15th.

Sunday 11 AM - 2 PM

For this three day workshop, participants will gain an understanding of drawing as it applies to still-life, embroidery fundamentals, and the ways that improvisation can be applied throughout the process. We will begin each class with timed drawing exercises. This loosens everyone up and settles perceptions of “perfection” as they pertain to the artist creation.

On the first class, students will draw outlines of still-lifes scattered throughout the room. They will pick their favorite vignette and settle in for a longer-form stitched drawing from this perspective. The next two sessions will be used for work time as students stitch directly into their cloths to reflect what they see, as well as making additional drawn sketches for reference.

The influence of multiple perspectives on the final product allows the artists to interpret their surroundings in a way that traditional, straight-on view of a still-life cannot.

The final creation will reflect traditional Victorian stitched compositions as they pertain to the larger canon of botanicals in the tradition of plant-based embroidery.

Class fee includes drawing and stitching materials, still-life vignettes, personalized instruction and encouragement.

Katie Vota (she/they, b. 1987, Cincinnati, OH) is a Chicago-based artist and educator. Her works utilizes pattern-based tapestry as an experimental drawing medium to explore the multitudes of change in the world around her, ranging from large-scale
connections surrounding water as a shifting, living entity, to the small, minute changes centered within the body as she meets her own on the day-to-day. It all comes back to this; to change and transformation.

Within Vota’s work, the imperfections of the reflected image of the moon and her attempt to repeatedly weave (albeit imperfect) circles are embraced with all their messy complications. In this, the moon is a symbol for the queer body in change, reassuring in
the idea she retains her essence through it all. The cyclical, phasing of the moon is a study in transformation; moments of change, captured. It wanes and waxes, strong enough to shift the tides yet delicate and shining in our perception. Its image distorts and morphs. The weavings follow suit (zooming in, eclipsing) a study of the partial
within the whole. As this body of work continues, the circles become more abstract, more improvisational, striking a balance with imperfection that marks the hand in the work.

Vota received her BFA from the Maryland Institute College of Art (2010) and a Studio MFA from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago (2015). She was awarded a US Student Fulbright Grant (’11-’12) to study traditions of Andean Back-strap Weaving and
Natural Dyeing in Peru, with the Center for Traditional Textiles of Cusco. Vota has exhibited in numerous solo and juried exhibitions, at venues including Threewalls (Chicago), Mu Gallery (Chicago), The Krasl Art Center (St. Joseph, MI), The
Indianapolis Art Center (Indianapolis), and Ignition Projects (Chicago). She is a Lenore Tawney Foundation Scholar, a Chicago DCASE grantee, and has participated in residencies such as Praxis Fiber Workshop Digital Weaving Lab, Corner Gallery’s Individual Artist Residency, CAC Field Work Residency, Chicago Art Department’s “On Mending” think tank, and The Hyde Park Art Center Center Program.

Notice of Filming or Photography

We may take photographs and videos during our events and workshops for promotional purposes. By participating and being present during the event, you give Third Season and The Roof Crop the right to use photographs and video taken during the event for promotional and or educational purposes. If you do not wish to appear in photographs, please communicate this with the organizer.