Stitched Portraits: Nikola Tesla

I have alternating current power for my amp, and looper/delay/chorus pedals because of Nikola Tesla. So I say thank you. I also don't need a cord when I talk on the phone. Thanks Tesla. But his work stretches far beyond these modern conveniences. He once powered 200 lightbulbs from a distance of 26 miles. He spoke eight languages. He scoffed at Einstein and Edison. In short, he was a mad genius.

Let's all sing his glory by turning on something electric and blasting it.

Nikola Tesla:

Stitched Portraits: Isaac Brock

Happy Birthday yesterday to the lead singer of Modest Mouse!
Actually, July 9th was a day for musicians. Bon Scott, Mitch Mitchell, John Tesh, Courtney Love, and Jack White were also born this day. And the more I make these portraits, the more I see these themes...

I met Isaac in San Francisco at the Treasure Island music festival, although he did not meet me. I work for a performance group called Big Nazo, and we were at the festival interacting with the crowds, doing what we do, as creatures. While backstage I remained in my troll suit and caught Isaac's attention. He responded by running away in fright, so I chased him around in circles.

This is the best way to meet someone that you like.

Isaac Brock (screaming, bruised eye):

Stitched Portraits: Käthe Kollwitz

German painter, printmaker, sculptor.
Censored by Nazis, they removed her work from museums, forced her to resign from her teaching position, and threatened her with deportation to a concentration camp. Being a well-known individual throughout the world, no further action was ever taken.

She is most famous for The Weavers, a series of images depicting the oppression of workers from Silesia who revolted and failed. Here is one of the etchings.

Käthe Kollwitz (stitched over swastikas):

Stitched Portraits: Satchel Paige

I hadn't included an athlete in this project until yesterday and it was mostly because I felt drawn to him. Upon reading about Paige, I was hooked. From his ingenuity to his hardball, he was an original and a solid piece of American history - the first baseball player from the negro leagues inducted into the baseball hall of fame.

Satchel Paige (fastball pitcher, looking on):

Stitched Portraits: P.T. Barnum

Yesterday I was stuck between two people that held a pretty similar amount of importance in my life. I was sure that I would be stitching Chuck Close due to the fact that he is a portrait artist. However, I could not pass up the chance to commemorate one of the greatest showmen of all time: self-described and true... And as much as I'd like to share all of his exploits and endeavors, I would just suggest that you to read his Wikipedia page for a concise history.

P. T. Barnum (ringleader, scheming...):

Stitched Portraits: Bill Withers

I guess it was important to choose someone yesterday who is a true American voice, being America's Independence day and all... And although it was the birthday of both Stephen Foster and Rube Goldberg, for me, Bill Withers is supreme. 'Use Me' is one of the most killer songs of all time and 'Ain't no Sunshine' continues to bring tears to hard hearts everywhere. Bill is also a good man, still alive and smiling - and he has such a happy man face.

Bill Withers (singin' it):

Stitched Portraits: Two Polish Poets

Czeslaw Milosz and Wislawa Szymborska are contemporary Polish poets who also happen to be two of the most revered. (They are also mine and my wife's favorite, respectively.)

Milosz was born on June 30 and Szymborska on July 2.
Their birthdays being so close it felt right to include them both in this collection and share them here together.

For Milosz, read: Bells in Winter

For Szymborska, read: Here

Stitched Portraits: Debbie Harry

Although she is well known for her role as the lead singer of Blondie, I like Harry for some of the roles she plays on film. As the Fairy Godmother in Downtown 81 (starring Jean-Michel Basquiat) and Velma Von Tussle in Hairspray, she is hilarious, and graceful.

An exceptional beauty with an attitude,

Debbie Harry (as Von Tussle):