Sunday, October 31, 2010

Surjeet's Workshop

October 23rd and 24th I had the opportunity to take an embrioidery workshop with Surjeet Husain of the UK. She visited our stitchery guild in Oakville as part of her time in Canada to visit family and two other guilds. Surjeet is a very talented Indian embroiderer and painter. We learned about the textile industry in India and about Surjeet's journey as an artist. Eleven Million people in India are involved in textile industry in some manner.

Here is Surjeet instructing Danielle and Jayne. We each were given individual instruction and Surjeet wanted each of us to do an individual project. We worked on sheesha (mirrors) embroidery, pulkari and kantha stitches. It was a challenge for most of us.

Here is a lovely little bag that Surjeet brought from home for us to see. She brought many pieces of embroidery to share, all so beautiful!

Surjeet is showing us a small tree stitchery that has fabric appliques.

This large art embroidery is based on a painting of an Indian girl by Surjeet.

Overall, I had a great two days. I have admired Indian embroidery for a couple of years and have attempted a few embroideries myself. Now I have acquired a few new stitches to try on my future Indian embroideries. Thank you, Surjeet.