The Stitches Speak

I wrote a series here on my blog about the ten short films my sister and I viewed at this year's Black Maria Film Festival.  Many more films where chosen to be featured in the festival during the various showings around the world, and they were described in the program.  One that stuck out to me as a film I would like to see was The Stitches Speak, by Nina Sabnani.

(From the website linked to above):
"Tanko Bole Chhe (The Stitches Speak) is an animated documentary that traces the journey of four Kutch artisans towards finding themselves and forming the Kala Raksha Trust (a trust formed to preserve traditional art and to generate income for the rural artisans of Sumrasar Sheikh, a village 25 km north of Bhuj). The most amazing part of the film is that it uses the art of appliqué and embroideries as means of expression to narrate the story. Can you imagine that… now that is being creative to the stitch!"


I've written about the infinitesimal, about how the tiny speaks grandeur to me.  I love how valuable the stitches become, especially over time.  I love how each stitch tells a story, carries a culture.

I want to learn how to tell my stories.  I want to learn how to write my story into the stitches of my words, the stitches of my life, the stitches of my art.  I'm getting there.  Perhaps this is why I am so enamored with the stitches and the infinitesimal; perhaps this is why they speak to me. 

In the early fall, I'm taking a Thread Painting Workshop with artist Missy Stevens.  Thanks to Peters Valley I received a scholarship to help cover half of the cost of this. 

"The workshop will introduce participants to the technique of punchneedle embroidery using needles which hold one or two strands of sewing thread and create a delicate, dense and rich loop pile surface. Missy encourages a painterly approach that allows a conversation between the maker and the thread painting as it evolves. You will be instructed in the basics of using a small punchneedle: threading the needle, correct use of the hoop, stitching and materials and will be guided through visualization exercises."

I will go there expectantly.  I will go there listening with open ears and open mind.  I will hear the conversation between the maker and the thread painting.  I will receive messages about my life, and about how the holes that have been poked through have allowed for light, illuminating darkness like the stars at night.