The Interview : Gemma Matthews

Rachna Singh, Editor, The Wise Owl talks to Gemma Matthews, an embroidery artist, with an evocative name, the Sewing Songbird.  Gemma lives in Nottingham, England with her husband and 4 children. She started her embroidery journey in 2018 as something to keep her hands busy and her creativity flowing. Gemma creates freehand stitched pieces onto upcycled denim and is greatly inspired by nature, books and the arts.

Thank you Gemma for talking with The Wise Owl. Embroidery is a beautiful blend of creativity and skill. We are thrilled to talk to an artist whose passion for embroidery has given embroidery art the importance it deserves. 

RS: For the benefit of our readers please tell us what inspired you to start embroidery in 2018 and become an embroidery artist? How do you stay inspired and keep your creative juices flowing?

GM: I kind of fell into it really, I started doodling on a pair of my children’s cut off jeans with a needle and thread, and it grew from there. First, I started making simple miniature fairytale scenes and it has evolved into bigger and more complexed scenes over time.

RS: You say that nature, books, and the arts influenced your designs? Could you please elaborate on this.

GM: I only stitch what I enjoy, I love being surrounded by nature, and I am drawn to all the textures and colours that it brings so I like to try and replicate that in my work. With every new piece I like to try and do something a little different, I love literature especially the classics, so I find it interesting to try and create a scene or character from my own perspective. Regarding the arts well, I was a previous performer, from about 8 until I had my own children I was always on a stage, I also worked in a theatre for numerous years, and I have had the opportunity to watch a variety of shows and performances so lots of memories and experiences to keep me inspired, but more recently my daughter is training to be a ballet dancer, so my dance themed pieces are quite often inspired by her and her friends.

RS: What are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced since you started your journey as an embroidery artist?

GM: I guess with like anything, the more you do, the need or want is to improve. My pieces now are bigger, more complex and definitely more time consuming, so I’m not producing as many pieces as I would like or previously did.

RS: Could you walk us through your creative process, from concept to finished piece? How do you decide on the themes or subjects of your pieces, the threads you will use, the stitches you will execute?

GM: I’m afraid I can’t fully answer that, I start with a blank canvas, I stare at it for a quite a while and wait for inspiration to come, I usually start with the main focal point and then work my way around, creating the background last. I realise that is a strange way to do things but it’s just the way I work. Regarding stitches and colours of threads that is all organic, there is never a plan, they just evolve as I go. The best way to describe it, is that I use the needle like a paint brush and see where it takes me.

RS: Do you have any favourite techniques or stitches that you frequently use in your work and what makes you gravitate towards them?

GM: I guess I do, there are definitely stitches that I use more frequently. I like to tell people to have a toolbox of basic stitches before trying to start their own pieces. I like to add to mine occasionally, learning or creating a new technique, but I only stitch with what I enjoy doing.

RS: I am really intrigued by the fact that you execute embroidery on upcycled denim. What drew you to using upcycled denim as your primary canvas for your work?

GM: As I said previously, it all began on a pair of cut off jeans, my children had an endless supply of ripped jeans so I had plenty of canvas and then people would give me their own unwanted denim to create on... Although that is not the only reason, the way I like to stitch can only be on a canvas that holds its shape, denim is a sturdy fabric, it doesn’t need to be stretched too much. I would never get away with the amount of long stitches I use in my work on thinner or more flexible fabric. You do need strong fingers though, as it is hard going with your hands and wrists, there had to be a downside didn’t there…?

RS: What do you enjoy most about being an embroidery artist? Are there any new techniques or materials you’re excited to explore?

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GM: I love the freedom it gives me, there’s endless possibilities of what you can do. I have been thinking a lot lately that I would like to challenge myself and take on a much larger piece. Definitely not as big as the Bayeux tapestry, and it may take me a lifetime to finish but I would definitely like to do something impressive…

RS: Can you share a particularly memorable project or piece you’ve worked on?

GM: Each piece is different for its own way, I think probably the first larger piece that I created (Lady Ethereal) purely from my own imagination holds a special significance, as it was the first time I saw myself as an artist.

RS: What advice would you give to someone just starting out in embroidery or any form of textile art?

GM: Get to know your basic stitches first, create something that makes you happy and don’t overcomplicate things, if you don’t like a certain stitch, don’t use it until you do.

Thank you Gemma for talking to The Wise Owl about your creativity and passion as an embroidery artist. We wish you the best in all your creative pursuits.