I love her work and can relate to it a lot as many of my drawings are really simple contours, semi abstract, and have never found a way to "live and breathe" with the more realistic imagery I like to collage. Her manipulation of the images' overall tone and value is key, here -- threads don't show up super well on the richly printed surfaces I try to embellish. Digital manipulation and a limited color palette really works for her. The way Smith enhances contours and mixes the seen and unseen is nothing short of brilliant. The scale of the work is fabulous, too - 36"? of stitching? Holy cow. I've been playing with images printed on fabric but haven't really found my way yet. This is truly inspiring!
I love how art communicates on its own, sans artist statement, but then can be shared on a deeper level when the artist articulates their process and views. The sharing in both image and word lets art grow universally, cross-pollinating creative processes around the globe. Evolution of media and process. What a time to be alive and be an artist!
On another note, my heroine worship continues as Amanda Palmer was featured on Design Matters podcast yesterday here. She is brilliant and every time I hear an interview I get something new and deep to think about. Art and life, lived well and to the fullest. Cheers.