ereisa wells gentile

embroidery

Several years ago my mother gave me some embroidery kits and embroidery floss that she had stored away. I wasn't much into needle work of any kind and the few times I tried I was always a little frustrated that I was so bad at it. Recently, though, I have been craving doing something creative and have had little or no time to do anything in the studio. By the time I get home from work, I just want to enjoy the few precious hours I have with my daughter and husband. But I know I have a deep need to make things so I was thinking about my commute of nearly two hours a day and what I could do to sort of turn the subway into a moving studio. 

 

                   

                   

                   

Something made me think of a kit my mother had given me - a set of pillowcases with a floral pattern printed on and ready to embroider so I thought I'd take it with me and try it out. The first day was pretty funny. Having just turned forty I felt like a little old biddy - especially when I propped my red magnifying glasses on the tip of my nose (there's no way I could see those tiny stitches otherwise). Anyway, I was feeling a little shy about it until I glanced to my right and saw a 30-something year old guy with a mohawk knitting a scarf. You have to love New York. 

As I made my way through the project I found myself falling in love with this medium. It is such a relaxing process and more and more I realize how much I love any work that requires a kind of peaceful repetition and attention to detail. That being said, I did have a few moments of frustration at my lack of skill. Most of this was cross stitch which was pretty easy but anything more than that (satin stitch and especially the stem stitch) was a challenge. 

Once I finished I started thinking back to my previous attempt at adding emroidery to paper cuts and decided to try again with this little experiment.

 

                  

It was just the right size to take with me and, though I wasn't completely thrilled with it, I learned a lot about what you can and can't do with paper and stitching. I'm thinking of trying paint and emroidery on canvas next. I feel like there are many more possibilities there.

Have a great weekend,

- Ereisa :)

Inspiration

"Have the courage to follow your heart and intuition. They somehow already know what you truly want to become." - Steve Jobs

Thank you for everything you have contributed to the world. A true creative genius. Rest in Peace...

happy birthday

                 

Last week was a bit of a milestone for me (you know, turning 40 and all). I hadn't thought it would be much of a big deal but I have to admit, I do feel a little different... as though I'm on the other side of something. And getting "up there" has reminded me I had better do some work. Time's a-wastin'... as they say.

So, I finally finished the paper cut of Kurrajong tree pods I mentioned in my last post.

                  

                  

It was nice to finish something and I think I may take some time to complete other projects that have been collecting here and there in the studio. I think I am going to take a little break from paper cutting and get back to some painting... I just feel the need for something more substantial at the moment. Happy weekend!

-Ereisa

a new paper cut in the works...

A couple of posts back I showed a paper cut study of a Kurrajong tree pod I worked on in anticipation of doing a larger piece. I think I was envisioning something REALLY big but have sort of settled for kind of big (compared to the size of most of my work). Below is the paper cut in the initial drawing stage and then in it's painted (pre-cut) stage. I probably could use this opportunity for a tutorial but I am saving that for later when I can be a bit more organized about it. I plan to work on this one in the next week and will post the finished piece soon. 

 

                  

By the way, I'm in love with this new mechanical pencil... a Pentel GraphGear 1000.

 

                  

I realize it doesn't look like much now but interesting things can happen when you paint the paper first. We'll see!

- Ereisa

Checking in...

An artist cannot fail; it is a success to be one.
- Charles Horton Cooley

Though I have been away for months I am cooking up some things to share... stay tuned... :)

experimentation - embroidery and papercuts

So, I'm working on some small paper cuts at the moment and trying to incorporate some embroidery. The idea came about because I wanted a way to attach multiple layers of paper without relying on glue. As you can see, I am not so talented with the needle and thread but I figure I just need practice... and alot of it. I'm still trying to decide if the thread adds to the work or is distracting but I'm enjoying doing something new and being able to do some of it in the few evening hours I have after the baby goes to sleep.

                  

                  

                   

                   

I think I'll make several more and then offer one as a giveaway - stay tuned!

Ereisa :) 

tree pods

In my work at the moment, I am clinging to anything nature or plant-related in my work - a result of being cooped-up by this Winter weather. There has been snow on the ground here in Brooklyn since the blizzard last month and, with a newborn making it next to impossible to go out, I am going a bit stir-crazy. I was looking for a bit of inspiration and came accross these seed pods my friend Grace brought back to me from California last year.

                    

After a little digging around I'm pretty sure it's from a Brachychiton (or Kurrajong Bottletree). Looking at it I can't help but think of those of us on the East Coast... cramped inside our tight little quarters just longing for Spring to come.

                   

This a study I recently finished inspired by the pods and will be the premise for a larger paper-cut that I am also starting. 

 

                   

                   

 

Finnian made an interesting backdrop until he tried to take a bite of it...

 

                  

In the midst of these dismal, gray days I received a package in the mail. What's better than getting a package? Especially when it contains a beautiful gift - a hand-made baby blanket for your delectable daughter?

 

                   

                   

My friend Kara Garrett, one of my favorite childhood friends who I reconnected with a couple of years ago, also happens to be an artist and made this very special monogrammed blankie for the baby. I just love the colors. :) Kara writes a very funny and interesting craft blog Roses are Blue with her sister Alana and you can purchase her work at her Etsy shop Kersplash. Thank you again Kara! :) 

Baby Steps

 

                  

Happy New Year! Here I am... back again at last. I feel badly that I have been away from the blog so much but my beautiful daughter was born the day before Thanksgiving and preparing for her arrival and taking care of her has obviously been my priority. 

There have been many times here that I've talked about how I have struggled to do my personal work while being employed full-time. I almost laugh about it now that I am Mother to a two month old baby. Ha! I never knew how much time I did have before! Despite the new challenge of having a little one, I'm more determined than ever to get some work done - even if it means stealing 10 minutes here and there... so expect to see more of me here. And... I do realize I never followed through on my giveaway so look for that soon too. :)

Somehow, I did find away to finish one papercut - beginning it near the end of my pregnancy and, miraculously, finishing it just after the baby was born (when she was still sleeping a lot). I apologize for the photos which aren't very clear. I made this one for my best friend Jen. I have known her for 25 years (yikes!) and she is one of the most amazing people I have ever known. 

                  

                   

This paper cut was definitely a challenge in that it is more delicate than most of the others I've done. I really enjoyed it though especially knowing it was going to someone so special. 

See you soon!

Ereisa

 

 

Happy Blog Anniversary :)

It seems that, unbeknownst to me, the Anniversary of this blog quietly came and went back in July without any fanfare. I had long planned to have a giveaway to mark the occasion but I've been so lax about writing lately that I'm not sure how many of you are still out there. I do plan on giving a piece away before my due date in November so stay tuned. ;)

The Summer has come and (almost) gone in a blur (well, an uncomfortably hot blur) and suddenly, I have reached my third trimester. Most of my time has been spent "nesting" which I assure you is a real phenomenon... one that has me organizing and cleaning things that a) probably don't really need to be bothered with and b) some of which don't have a thing to do with the baby. Once you start it's really hard to stop. :)

A little while ago my husband brought me some of the tree seeds pictured below. I'm sure there's a more scientific term for these... but I have no idea what that might be. I think they are fascinating and a perfect example of one of those incredible things in nature that you might easily walk past or step on without really bothering to look at. A good reminder to take our time to really see what's around us. 

                   

                   

                   

                   

They inspired this piece:

                   

                  
 
In between hanging up tiny baby clothes and continuing the arduous job of cleaning out the soon-to-be baby's room, I spent part of yesterday baking from this cookbook:

                    

            
I am slowly making my way through the book and I highly recommend it for yummy bread that's relatively easy to make. Yesterday I made this Ricotta Chive Bread. I find something incredibly relaxing about making bread dough...

                    

                  
 
This isn't a crusty bread but the inside is dense and creamy and amazing toasted with butter the next day. Even though I am slowing down a bit on the artwork (temporarily) I'm still feeling creative in other ways. :)

Happy Labor Day! Be back soon...

Ereisa :)

news and (finally) some new work

Hello again...! 

It's been ages since I've posted though, believe me, I have wanted to and thought about it many times since May. The truth is, I haven't had much extra creative energy as I've been working on the ultimate creative project - a baby! 

                   
 
I wanted so much to get into the studio and post some things here but - Woah, Nelly - the first trimester struck with it's overwhelming fatigue and bouts of queasiness and all I could do was lay on the couch eating rows of saltines and doing face plants on the throw pillows. 

Happily, I'm feeling so much better now and I'm slowly starting to do some new paper cuts. I've been thinking more about seeds - yes, I'm sure you're getting it now...nests, seeds... I obviously have babies on the brain. But besides their potential reproductive meaning and and the idea of this tiny structure holding a mystery inside, I am mostly interested in the shapes coming from my imagination. Here's what I've been up to:

                     

                    

                    

                    
 

I'm hoping to do many more of these and keep working as much as I can until November when I am sure I will have to take a little rest from the blog.

See you soon :)

Ereisa