Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Are computers involved ?
A: No.
Q: Do you draw or paint on the canvas
when doing FAFME ?
A: No.
Q: How long does it take to to
complete a piece?
A: Up to 400 Hours.
Q: What happens when you make
mistakes?
A: I don't make mistakes!
Q: Do you draw your designs first?
A: Yes, but on a piece of paper which I put
next to the sewing machine. I am a proficient painter and drawer.
Q: Is it a special sewing
machine?
A: No, but I prefer a Bernina.
Q: Do you give lessons?
A: Yes I have taught in USA, UK and
throughout Australasia, contact me for details.
Q: Do you use cameras or photography?
A: No and I don't use computers either.
Q: Are your images original?
A: Yes they come from my dreams and people I
meet and nature , they are copy right
Q: Where do your faces come from ?
A: Real people and dreams , I have just finished embroidering
portraits of a family..
Q: Who taught you?
A: I am formally trained as a fine artist but
I have self taught myself machine embroidery.
Q: When did you start?
A: Before I started primary school I used to
draw cartoons on my dolls cloths with my grandmother's sewing machine.
Q: How many coloured threads do you
use?
A: Not as many as I used to . I now use
optical mixing in the tradition of the Impressionist Artists like Monet
and Seurat.
Q: Do you practice other art forms?
A: My whole life is art, I draw all my work
first, I paint, and I make one off exclusive museum pieces of wearable
art.
Q: Which art form do you prefer?
A: I find the detail I can achieve with
machine embroidery is so fine that this makes this my favourite medium.
Q: What is the correct name for this
art-form?
A: FAFME or Fine Art Machine Embroidery.
It has also been called Free Machine Embroidery, Freestyle Machine
Embroidery, Freehand Machine Embroidery, Machine Embroidery and Thread
Painting
Q: Do you embroider clothes?
A: Yes as a matter of fact I do not own any
clothes that I have not made and I embellish them all. I am active in
the worldwide Wearable Art Movement.
Q: Can I see your work?
A: Yes at Beltana Gallery by appointment
Q: Has you artwork changed over time?
A: Yes I continue to experiment and love a
challenge I am now embroidering on paper.
Q: Which artists inspire you?
A: The old masters, the risk takers, those
who strove for excellence. Matisse Picasso, Klimt, Klee, Dali, Blake &
Turner: their colour, originality, imagery, passion and they broke new
ground. They were willing risk-takers individuals, leaders, free to
experiment even when criticised.
Q: How important is your art?
A: My art is me, personal, colourful, and my
passion. I live each day to create the art on the wall and the art that
I wear. Creating encourages me to think about possibilities - to ask-
what if?
Q: What makes me happiest?
A: Following my dreams!!
Q: Do I have an audience in mind when I am
creating?
A: No! I love to create what I want, I create for
me to express my dreams.
Q: What is your biggest artistic
achievement?
A: Acceptance, winning awards, teaching I get
very happy making other people happy.
Q: Are you a full time Artist?
A: Yes I create all the time, I frequently are so
engrossed I forget meals.
Q: Do you paint or embroider animals ?
A: Yes I am a member of The Royal Zoological
Society and my inspiration comes from my life drawing of
animals on location. I am currently doing a new body of work which is
predominantly animals. To exhibit at a solo exhibition at The Adelaide
Zoo later this year.
Q: Are you on Face-book?
A: Yes
Q: [Insert question here]
A:A: [Insert answer here]
Q: Ask Cheryl a question
A: cheryl@bridgart.com