This is the third major work in the ‘Commuter Life‘ series. The first was about the complexity of a commuter life with a long train journey and two homes. The second was when it started to feel simpler, but it became less simple by the third. My life’s addition of long train journeys with two homes is the prelude to Train x Stitch.
Creation Process
The concept did not have a pre-design. I stitched with variant thread Garden Cottage Threads 603 Pansy hand dyed stranded cotton. A variant thread is a length of thread that changes colour.
Stitching started in the middle base with a straight line. After the straight line, new lines were stitched, crossing over the first line and each other. This time the overlapping is not uniform, creating a varying pattern for the length of the work.
Variant threads create a challenge as you need to keep the colours of the bottom and top threads aligned. The bottom thread was occasionally made into a cross. The top and bottom would swap, keeping the colours together as much as possible.
The centre section was completed first, followed by an outside boarder covering three sides.
Exhibition History
It was part of my solo exhibition, Life Activity, at Community Bank Darling Square Sydney in 2024. Life Activity featured 19 original works and 12 limited-edition prints.
It is participating in Wingecarribee Shire Council’s Arts Trail Atrium Exhibition during November 2024.
Artist artwork statement
The third major work in the ‘Commuter Life‘ series shows that life isn’t easy. The long train journey and having two homes make it complicated.
Once you have adjusted to a new life, it begins with a lovely new rhythm and pattern. Then, it becomes seemingly overly complex as your old life lingers on. So you feel like you’re living two lives – maintaining the past and building the future.
Life has curated. We choose what to carry with us and what to leave behind.
How to experience the artwork Commuter life is complex in your life!
If you’re interested in the original, please contact Kate. The below can be bought online or at an open studio.
Key artwork information
- Third major work in ‘Commuter Life‘ Series
- Grey 14 count Aida
- Stitching time of approximately 75 hours
- Completed over a four month duration
- Stitched with stranded variant cotton 603 Pansy from Garden Cottage Threads
- The final size is 130mm wide x 270mm high
- Completed in April 2019
- The original is available to buy.
