Stitched Portraits: Bill Blass

I'm off to Craftland today to deliver the first portrait for the "mystery week" that is hanging next to the finished pieces in the stitched portrait show, Today is a Birthday.

Thursday night, June 21, saw the opening, where I selected 30 pieces from the project and put up 7 blank frames with the dates June 22-28. I will be blogging the experience throughout the week and including pictures of the show.

Blass was an influence on me as a strong American fashion designer and in my research for his portrait I found a quote of his that strengthened my interest in him as a person. He said, "The beauty of being able to draw, or paint, from an early age is that you never feel trapped, least of all by your immediate circumstances."

Bill Blass (drawing):

Stitched Portraits: Brian Wilson

No one more fitting to stitch for the summer solstice.
I really had to hold myself back from the obvious pun there...

But what to say about Brian Wilson? He's one of the greatest musical geniuses of all time, a Beach Boy, and a Killer voice that hasn't quit... And I've had the pleasure of seeing him perform live (thank you, Paul :)

Brian Wilson, at 70 years old, smiling:

Stitched Portraits: Nick Drake

Bringing tears to a young me, Nick Drake is a voice that is beyond moving.
A singer songwriter for the sadness in all of us, we lost him too early in a rush of water.
What he left behind transcends time, taste, and trend.

From the Morning - a personal favorite

and Nick Drake, smiling:

Stitched Portraits: Isabella Rossellini

This woman is pure class. Her projects, her attitude, her look... See links below for further proof:

Green Porno, watch them all

Blue Velvet


Rossellini (wrapped in it):

Stitched Portraits: Igor Stravinsky

Famous for The Rite of Spring which provoked a riot after its presentation, Stravinsky is a musical hero to me for his innovative rhythmic structures which subsequently influeced minimalist composers such as Philip Glass.

I decided to celebrate him on his birthday yesterday by recreating his finest moment. In 1940 he was arrested in Boston for re-orchestrating "The Star-Spangled Banner" at Symphony Hall...Tampering with the public property... Thanks, you maniacal genius.

Igor Stravinsky (Mug Shot):

Stitched Portraits: Ultimate Warrior

There is only one wrestling superstar for me. The Ultimate Warrior was so unbelievably absurd in his presentation that you thought he was going to spontaneously combust at any moment.

And if they gave Emmy awards to wrestlers, this speech would have won by a landslide.

Ultimate Warrior (torso and scream):

Stitched Portraits: Burl Ives

I will admit that I chose this man for his role in Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer, hence the snowman in the portrait.

A voice of Christmas, Burl Ives:

Stitched Portraits: Djuna Barnes

Her witty drawings and fearless poetry aside, Barnes led a difficult early life and let passion guide her away from the would-be madness of loveless marriage and a tyrannical father.

The Book of Repulsive Women - required reading

A magnetic presence, Djuna Barnes: