The birds that appear to have landed on Beth Carroll’s embroidery hoops are actually hand-stitched masterpieces. The artist, who was born in Australia and now lives in Ireland, photographs several types of colorful birds as they settle for a break. She adds to the allure of these portrayals by embroidering a tail that goes beyond the hoop’s perimeter.
Carroll, a lifetime bird enthusiast, turned to them as a creative muse when the COVID-19 outbreak began. “I found consolation in my family and environment, loving the small birds hopping around,” she says to us. “[At the time], I imagined a robin embroidered on tulle standing on a real pole and was determined to make it a reality.” This first sculpture sparked more exploration with techniques and materials.
While some of her bird art depicts the winged creature perched on a real stick or barbed wire, others show the winged creature perched on the embroidery hoop itself. Carroll used a technique known as stumpwork, which involves the use of wires slips and tulle fabric. “First, I stitch the bird in a large hoop or transfer the tule inside the hoop to use as support,” she explains. “After I finish the tail, I trim the tulle to the edge of the embroidery and then finish the edges.” The end product looks like the bird is perched on the brink of a cage.
Carroll’s original art may be purchased through her online store, and you can keep up with her current efforts by following her on Instagram. You may also become a Patreon subscriber and receive a personalised bird pin if you wish to support the artist’s creative practice.
Beth Carroll, an artist from in Ireland, makes amazing bird needlework.
She knits brightly colored birds with tails that stretch beyond the hoop’s edge.
As a result, these feathery creatures appear realistic from a distance.
Beth Carroll: Website | Facebook | Instagram | Patreon