Perspective Study - El Gatito Negro & Stitches

 

This is a piece made for a perspective assignment in portfolio class at RMCAD. I wanted something quiet and somber yet touching. We had to use a robot if we wanted to do an indoor scene or a factory if it was an outdoor landscape. Of course, the little black cat showed up, and the robot turned out to be a little companion in a very sad transition. I plan on inking this but also got an idea of using various stitches to make an embroidery piece reminiscent of the "carpetas" that my grandma and great aunts made back in Mexico. 
I pulled out these books for inspiration. KBlue's Embroidery Stitch Book by Kim So Young (106 French Embroidery Stitch of K Blue 2017), Embroidered Botanicals by Yumiko Higuchi, and Stitches from the Garden by Kathy Schmitz 2016. 

In fact, I want to finally start (and finish) the Stitch book from the KBlue book. 

 

I've been wanting to learn different stitches and have taken a few classes from different teachers and methods, which I will list below, but have been waiting for a project of my own to practice.  

RSN Sampler course, Gimena Romero's courses, and Karen Turner. 

Autumn Finish!!

Finally finished Autumn by Sara Guermani. I started this in 2021 and had to restart it this year on a different fabric (56 count Cream Kingston Linen with DMC threads) since I miscalculated my counting when I started with the border on the top left. I started in the middle the second time and worked outwards, which worked out great. I actually have too much fabric all the way around now, about 8", but at least I can trim it depending on how it will be framed. Now I'm frogging the first start to reuse the linen on another project. I just wanted to post this before Winter starts tomorrow.  I did end up changing quite a bit of colors especially on the houses. I did write down the changes for future inquiries of if I want to stitch it again. It was very fun to come up with other colors that would keep the overall feel of her design. 

This was the first time using a count this high and I really enjoyed it. I'm not sure I will be able to turn back. 

I have picked up another project I started early this year called Evergreen Sampler by Rosewood Manor from a 2013 Christmas book by Craftways Herschnerrs A. I will post pics later. 

November 1st - El Gatito Negro y Las Monarcas

Digital drawing in Procreate on my iPad. 

 

El Gatito Negro on Day of the Dead

One of the stories that has developed in working on various illustration assignments for my undergrad at Rocky Mountain College of Art & Design is El Gatito Negro. It was created in Procreate on my iPad.

When I can relate assignments to cats and other themes that I am really into, I can gain more insight and motivation to do a better piece. Here is my final for Perspective class. The assignment was to use perspective to make the piece look like an illustration and not an architectural drawing. 

I really enjoy working on art in the current season, which is why my lead time on work will be for the year ahead. 

Happy Halloween!! and if you celebrate the return of your loved ones that have passed on Nov 1st & 2nd Happy Day of the Dead!! 

Gatito Negro y Las Monarcas - Repeat Pattern

As we creep closer to Halloween and Day of the Dead week, I have been posting images I worked on this year. This is a repeat pattern from El Gatito Negro y Las Monarcas by Nancy Cuevas (me). I will be posting more in the next few days. 

This time of year is bittersweet. It's my favorite season, but with it comes much grief. I lost my father almost six years ago, around this time of year. Losing him changed my life as it did my whole family. He was our rock, and without him, we have all had to reassess everything. It has led me to my recovery from taking on too much. I am very grateful, but I miss him so. 

Monarch butterflies symbolize the souls that return to Earth on All Souls Day - Day of the Dead. The life cycle of a Monarch butterfly is extraordinary. Their migration stretches months and vast distances to arrive at their breeding grounds in southern Mexico, Michoacan, where my family is from. 

Marigolds in the Aztec language Nahuatl are called Cempasúchil. Their sun god, Tonatiuh, gifted them to honor their dead. 

In many cultures, the black cat is considered bad luck, but for me, it's the solace of grief. The one that remembers because it knows what it is to be forgotten. 

Today, October 27th, is the day we honor our beloved pets that have passed on. 

Autumn Stitching and Plans

Autmn by Sara Guermani

I started this pattern back in August 2021 but realized that I had counted wrong for the fabric 36 count linen and decided to order 56-count, which would help reduce the size. This is the top left quarter section, which is almost finished. Need to do some final back stitching and fill in the door on the purple house on the right. I changed the colors considerably and made notes just in case someone else askes me what I used. I am filled with joy whenever I look at that acorn border. I am so smitten by this design. 

I'm not sure if I will be finishing this piece this year since I want to start a Halloween at Hawk Run Hollow by Carriage House Samplings. I saw this stitched on a bright purple linen that I absolutely LOVED! called Highland Heather by FabricsbySteph, which does not look like it's available anymore.  I am planning on dying a 56-count linen to see if I can match the color. 

 

Ballerina Angel Princess Cross Stitch Design

Stitched with DMC on linen

MobiStitch on iPad

Detail of "Trick-or-Treaters" oil painting by Nancy Cuevas

With Halloween around the corner, I wanted to share this design I am working on. It's of one of the adorable trick-or-treaters in one of my more illustrative paintings. 

She knew exactly who she wanted to dress up as for Halloween. She told her mother she wanted to be a Ballerina Angel Princess, and of course, her mother was able to combine all three costumes into one. She waits patiently for her turn to show off her costume and get her treats. 

I am working on reducing the colors of this design, which currently sits at about 31 colors. I would like to get it under 20, preferably, under 15 would be good.  

Hopefully, I can get this done before Halloween.