An Informed Cross Stitcher

"Why Martha what a lovely cross stitch that is!"

"Thank you, it took me about 3 months to finish it."

"Wonderful! Who designed it?"

"Well, it's actually from a painting I think...err..I don't know who painted it though"

Rewind...now let's see what happens when the cross stitcher is informed about the artist or the artwork.

"Wonderful! Who designed it?"

"Well that's an interesting story. This was painted by John William Godward. He was an English painter back in the early 1900s. Just like today, there were trends in the types of paintings that were popular. When painters like Picasso started to catch the public eye, Godward's paintings fell out of favor."

"Really? Wow"

"You know what else?"

"What??"

"Godward committed suicide at the age of 61 and have said to have written in his suicide note that "the world was not big enough" for him and a Picasso."
(Speechless)

Now isn't that better? A cross stitch of a painting is just like owning the actual painting. Know about the artist and the art and it makes the project much more meaningful.I always like to think that creating a cross stitch project of a painting is a lot like honoring the works of the artist. It will be your companion for many weeks or months until it is done and when it is finally hung on your favorite spot, it does not just become a finished project but instead becomes a story to tell.

Godward's cross stitch patterns are now available on PinoyStitch. Browse through his masterpieces here.