Landscape Embroidery
If you’ve ever taken a flight on a commercial airplane, you’ve likely seen the patchwork quilt of croplands below.
During the growing season, you’ll see numerous yellow, green, and brown shades outlined on the Earth, showing off the different property lines and fields that farmers work.
If you’re fortunate enough to live somewhere that encourages flowers as a crop, the spring season can develop beautiful color lines that stand out with simple magnificence.
Artist Victoria Rose Richards, based in South West Devon (that’s not a typo), uses these patterns to inspire her embroidery work.
As she says, she’s “autistic, queer, and proud.”
Sprawling Forests and Farmland Rows Are Her Trademarks
When you see Richards’ work, the effect is quite similar to an aerial view of the land below.
She’ll use French knots to create small green tufts that look like trees.
Satin and seed stitches work to form the rows typically seen in plowed fields.
Depending on the piece she’s creating, you’ll even see some of the colored lines that represent flowers.
Once she has finished with the basic outline of her new world, Richards starts adding the building blocks needed to help it tell a story.
If you look closely, you’ll find sheep, birds, roads, gates, and people throughout the piece.
When she isn’t creating these fantastical elements, you’ll find Richards hard at work creating beach scenes, autumn paths, and other landscapes that reveal different peaks and horizons.
Most of Her Items Fit in the Palm of Your Hand
What is even more remarkable about Richards’ work is that she uses one of the smallest embroidery circles to create results.
Almost all of her items offered for sale can fit in the palm of your hand.
When you stand far away from each piece, it gives you the vision of a snapshot taken for just a moment.
You’ll find rivers running through the forest, lakes that offer an inviting contrast to the farmland, and many other natural scenes.
Perhaps her most impressive work is the dark, cloudy storm at the beach.
Your threading of the rain creates remarkable depth from an uncharacteristic first-person perspective.
You can find more information about Victoria Rose Richards and what is currently for sale on her Instagram page.
Photo Credits: Victoria Rose Richards
