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I Started Creating Anatomical Embroidery After I Had An Extensive Facial Surgery
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I Started Creating Anatomical Embroidery After I Had An Extensive Facial Surgery

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Until the first of many phases of extensive facial surgery to correct my Bells Palsy three years ago, I’d never embroidered anything. It was during a hospital stay to insert one of my chest muscles into my left cheek that I realized I could marry up my love of hand sewing with my love of human anatomy and a hobby was born. I bought embroidery thread, dug out my old copy of Grey’s Anatomy, and got started on an anatomically correct image of the facial muscles which was immediately bought by my consultant facial surgeon.

I’ve since created hand-embroidered images of the heart, uterus, hand, ear canal, and am now working on an embroidery pattern of the kidneys and I’ve sold them to a mix of clinicians.

Each embroidery artwork takes up to three months and I start by researching images that are medically interesting and possible to be rendered in false color (otherwise everything would be pink!). I begin with Grey’s Anatomy then move onto books of photographed clinical dissections to get a feel for the textures of the organs. I’ve even dissected the dead animals that my cat has brought in, to get a better idea of which embroidery stitches I can use to render muscles (couching stitch) or glands (French knots), and have attended shows about anatomical dissection.

With each work of art, I begin by stitching a general color for each of the parts. I then move onto the darker and lighter shades, layering the stitches to create levels of texture and depth which also makes the unique artworks tactile. It helps the embroideries to pop off the hoop and gives viewers an idea of how the organs actually look and feel but without the gore factor.

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The beautiful artworks become increasingly intricate as I work them, moving from larger swathes of color to the tiniest stitches in single strands of thread. It’s extremely detailed work that requires constant reference to anatomical accuracy but it’s deeply therapeutic and the end result is an image that is educational as well as gorgeous (even if I do say so myself!).

I’ve now completed all of my facial surgery (for now, at least), and although I still carry the effects of Bell’s Palsy it has at least opened a door to a form of art that I had never considered before. It’s a silver lining that not only brings me joy but helps me create. Beauty and creative ideas really can be found in the most unexpected places after all.

More info: krakenkreations.co.uk

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    Cath Janes

    Cath Janes

    Author, Community member

    Read more »

    The brains and fingers behind www.krakenkreations.co.uk, where I stitch anatomical embroideries, feminist hoops and accessories for women who demand equality.

    Read less »
    Cath Janes

    Cath Janes

    Author, Community member

    The brains and fingers behind www.krakenkreations.co.uk, where I stitch anatomical embroideries, feminist hoops and accessories for women who demand equality.

    What do you think ?
    Add photo comments
    POST
    Kate Wilson
    Community Member
    7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    THIS is what taking back control looks like. When you have a physical, or indeed any sort of, ailment, it can become all that defines you. Or your physical appearance is how others define you. Creating these sorts of images gives the creator, the viewer, and the owner more knowledge, more control. And they are gorgeous. Have a feeling that I have rambled rather, but I love this work. Know yourself through embroidery. Why not?

    Community Member
    7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Kate, that is a lovely thing to write and I agree completely that knowledge is power too. A few times, during my hospital stays, docs thanked me for taking such an interest in what they were doing which shocked me. Yet they said so many people would rather not know and just allow things to be done to them instead, thereby treating the health issue as something to be suffered rather than involved in. Lordy! If my embroidery means I haven't done that, then all the better.

    Load More Replies...
    Diane Martin Cbe
    Community Member
    7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I love your work so much, it's so varied. These wonderful anatomical embroideries are fantastic on so many levels, the intricacy, the education, the skill, colour's and texture and the delight at how beautiful they are. They are so original. I didn't realise until reading this, the connection to your experience of facial surgery as that was not the first one I saw. Trust you to birth art from what must have been such a challenging journey. Oh no, I said 'journey' I sound like I'm on Britain's got talent. Well you've got talent and it's great that it was therapeutic for you. I love all of your work, I love your wordsmithery and how funny you are. Just wonderful! Diane Martin

    Community Member
    7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Diane, you utter star. Thank you. The weird thing about doing this embroidery is my addiction to everything anatomical. I recently discussed further surgery with my consultant and even though I don't need the surgery right now part of me wanted it so I could immerse myself in the anatomical tweakings again.

    Phemonoe 153
    Community Member
    7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    The colors! The shading! The textures! What a beautiful medium to use to create these! I hope your surgeries have gone well and are (mostly?) behind you. Please keep sharing them over time, i look forward to seeing what else you come up with

    Community Member
    7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Thank you so much Phemonoe 153! It's a joy to create these and fascinating to find stitches that replicate the organs' textures.

    Louise Foyster
    Community Member
    6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    These are so amazing 😍😍 I want to get my embroidery kit out now!

    craftsandcramps
    Community Member
    7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    It is amazing what people can create with embroidery! These are so strong & detailed! Thank you so much for sharing!

    Angela Williams
    Community Member
    7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Hey Cath, You need to know that, you have an amazing skill that has come out of your adversity with Bell's Palsy..I too am facinated by amatomy and dissection...your creations are breathtaking...hope your recovery is near for you..Very well done..sending love to and respect to you..xxx

    Community Member
    7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Angela, that is a lovely thing to say. Thank you. I have a few more surgeries to go (if I choose) but being able to have detailed convos about anatomy with my consultant makes them all worth it!

    Amy Irving
    Community Member
    7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Fantastic stuff! All the time put into them really pays off - they're stunning!

    Community Member
    7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Amy, thank you. They take hours of detailed work but then BOOM! I stand back at the end and it really is worth every second.

    Cathy Winston
    Community Member
    7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    These are the most amazing artworks - incredible detail and what a way to turn a less than fun hospital stay into something so creative and positive.

    Tana Poor
    Community Member
    7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    These are amazing! The level of detail is incredible. Sad circumstances to start but wow so awesome!

    Community Member
    7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Tana, thank you. The circs have been hard but are now such a source of anatomical fascination that I'm good with it!

    Kate Wilson
    Community Member
    7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    THIS is what taking back control looks like. When you have a physical, or indeed any sort of, ailment, it can become all that defines you. Or your physical appearance is how others define you. Creating these sorts of images gives the creator, the viewer, and the owner more knowledge, more control. And they are gorgeous. Have a feeling that I have rambled rather, but I love this work. Know yourself through embroidery. Why not?

    Community Member
    7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Kate, that is a lovely thing to write and I agree completely that knowledge is power too. A few times, during my hospital stays, docs thanked me for taking such an interest in what they were doing which shocked me. Yet they said so many people would rather not know and just allow things to be done to them instead, thereby treating the health issue as something to be suffered rather than involved in. Lordy! If my embroidery means I haven't done that, then all the better.

    Load More Replies...
    Diane Martin Cbe
    Community Member
    7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I love your work so much, it's so varied. These wonderful anatomical embroideries are fantastic on so many levels, the intricacy, the education, the skill, colour's and texture and the delight at how beautiful they are. They are so original. I didn't realise until reading this, the connection to your experience of facial surgery as that was not the first one I saw. Trust you to birth art from what must have been such a challenging journey. Oh no, I said 'journey' I sound like I'm on Britain's got talent. Well you've got talent and it's great that it was therapeutic for you. I love all of your work, I love your wordsmithery and how funny you are. Just wonderful! Diane Martin

    Community Member
    7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Diane, you utter star. Thank you. The weird thing about doing this embroidery is my addiction to everything anatomical. I recently discussed further surgery with my consultant and even though I don't need the surgery right now part of me wanted it so I could immerse myself in the anatomical tweakings again.

    Phemonoe 153
    Community Member
    7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    The colors! The shading! The textures! What a beautiful medium to use to create these! I hope your surgeries have gone well and are (mostly?) behind you. Please keep sharing them over time, i look forward to seeing what else you come up with

    Community Member
    7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Thank you so much Phemonoe 153! It's a joy to create these and fascinating to find stitches that replicate the organs' textures.

    Louise Foyster
    Community Member
    6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    These are so amazing 😍😍 I want to get my embroidery kit out now!

    craftsandcramps
    Community Member
    7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    It is amazing what people can create with embroidery! These are so strong & detailed! Thank you so much for sharing!

    Angela Williams
    Community Member
    7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Hey Cath, You need to know that, you have an amazing skill that has come out of your adversity with Bell's Palsy..I too am facinated by amatomy and dissection...your creations are breathtaking...hope your recovery is near for you..Very well done..sending love to and respect to you..xxx

    Community Member
    7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Angela, that is a lovely thing to say. Thank you. I have a few more surgeries to go (if I choose) but being able to have detailed convos about anatomy with my consultant makes them all worth it!

    Amy Irving
    Community Member
    7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Fantastic stuff! All the time put into them really pays off - they're stunning!

    Community Member
    7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Amy, thank you. They take hours of detailed work but then BOOM! I stand back at the end and it really is worth every second.

    Cathy Winston
    Community Member
    7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    These are the most amazing artworks - incredible detail and what a way to turn a less than fun hospital stay into something so creative and positive.

    Tana Poor
    Community Member
    7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    These are amazing! The level of detail is incredible. Sad circumstances to start but wow so awesome!

    Community Member
    7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Tana, thank you. The circs have been hard but are now such a source of anatomical fascination that I'm good with it!

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