Purls of wisdom «

Feeds:: Posts; Comments

Purls of wisdom

March 24, 2009 by michellegiacobello

purlsofwisdom

Purls of wisdom, 92cm x 92 cm, oil on linen,

I like knitting. And it’s ironic that so close to the show (when I really need to be relaxing) the closest I can get to it is by painting it. Is that sad? Kind of. But funny too.

Knitting for me, is a form of meditation. A mindless casting of yarn around needles that move quickly, and allow my mind to disengage from the present and wander. Dream and plan and explore. Watching the fabric grow as stitch is built into stitch I am reminded again how everything we do is a continuation of the pattern of life.

I find the repetition, and the fact that it is a uniquely human experience comforting. I find the fact that a knitted garment retains some of the energy of the maker thrilling and special. And I do love the special feeling one gets in wearing a hand-made garment with as much work as a knit.

After finishing this work, I stepped back, went for a walk, and came back to it wondering if she looks a little downcast? That is not my intention. I wanted to capture a wistfulness and that moment when you stop at the end of a row to examine the recent work and feel some sense of achievement. I may need to go back into it and make more of a smile play around her lips.

So I’m wondering, what do you think?

Posted in painting | 5 Comments

5 Responses

on March 24, 2009 at 2:15 p03 | Reply Daniel Sanger

Fantastic!
on March 24, 2009 at 2:15 p03 | Reply Catherine

She does have that certain look of a woman who has just discovered an unintentional hole about 10 rows back – in mohair…

Ask me how I know that expression!
l
Only kidding, she actualy looks as if she’s in the Zone, and nothing short of WWIII between her kids over whose turn it is for the gaming console will bring her back to reality – with a bump
on March 24, 2009 at 2:15 p03 | Reply kirsten

Love it. Love the colour about her face and esp the colour of her knitted work! Really lovely. One of my favs, in fact. xx

PS The Naan was bloody fantastic. Definitely doing that again.
on March 24, 2009 at 2:15 p03 | Reply pinry

She does look deep in thought. Hopefully she will stop soon to admire the effect of the beautiful handpainted yarn she is knitting! Love the little glimpse of spotty underskirt!
on April 5, 2009 at 2:15 p04 | Reply Bronwyn

She does look melancholic but I think that is what makes it so serene and beautiful – I love it