Tamara Russell is a Textile Artist specialising in free machine embroidery, hand stitching and visible mending based in Melbourne.
In my textile art practice I explore my surroundings and interpret what I see through the medium of embroidery. In my works composition, I combine light, colour, shape and texture to recreate images that inspire me. I consider myself a painter using thread, an artist painting with a needle. My work has been exhibited in the United Kingdom and Australia.
My practice engages with the natural environment recreating the images and shapes in my embroidered works in both 2D and 3D form. I am not primarily a photographer but my photos are invaluable to me as a record of composition, colour and detail, supported by my sketches. Photos are my starting point as I explore my subject matter directly onto fabric, painting with thread.
Each piece uses photography, watercolour painting, beading, fabric, soluble backing, machine stitch and/or hand stitch, either alone or in combination. This creates depth, perspective and richness to the work and combines effectively to give detail and texture.
I have been making my clothes and mending since a teenager. I love to personalise my wardrobe through embellishment and visible mending. We all know that fast fashion is not sustainable so we need to love the clothes we already own and work harder to make them last. By mending our clothes we create a bond with them ensuring we wear them longer. I enjoy teaching various forms of mending and embroidery. It is a core part of my practice along with my work promoting and facilitating community arts projects and sustainable practices.
www.karhina.com
See www.puddleduckdesigns.com for my greeting cards.
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