Working With Your Hands
I first came across the artwork above on a friend’s Instagram post years ago. It struck me immediately. It was created by a talented young artist named Dana Tanamachi, who I had learned about through some mutual friends from Brooklyn. The chalk lettering - with the purposeful lines and shading, intricate but delicate flourishes, the nuanced message it was conveying - it all resonated deeply with me. For years now, I find myself coming back to this work.
I’ve been thinking a lot lately about what it means to live a quiet life and work with your hands. The honesty of it. The intentionality of the pursuit. The counter-culturalism of it all. And how damn difficult it is when the world is so noisy.
But the ones who are doing it? Those are the people who always catch my eye. There’s something different about them.
There are a couple artists who I’ve really been admiring lately, and their work has been sparking new creativity within me.
I first took a calligraphy class with Queeny three years ago. I loved her work, energy, teaching style, and attitude. I’ve been following her career for a few years now, and I’m always so struck by her humility, enthusiasm, and earnestness. There are a ton of calligraphers out there, each with their own unique style, but her work stands out to me. She recently opened up her first brick and mortar store in San Jose, so I had to check it out and congratulate her in person.
I know, what?? But hear me out. This is NOT the kind of embroidery that you find at your grandmother’s house.
Jessica Long creates stunning modern embroidery artwork. There are pieces that are really just mind-blowing. My current favorites are her animal thread paintings and modern cameos.
I’ve been really enjoying her instructional videos and downloadable patterns as well, so perhaps I’ll share some of my own embroidery creations here soon!
