About
Hi there, I’m Zoe Pearl, an embroidery artist & illustrator based in rural Southwest Scotland.
What inspires you?
I find the rainbow of colours found in nature fascinating and love sharing these plants and animals in my work. Currently I’m exploring themes around gardens & landscapes and the creatures that rely on these habitats. My hope is that through sharing my love of our local flora and fauna it inspires an appreciation of the diversity we have around us. The arts and crafts movement also inspires me to share my perspective. The ideas of craftsmanship being important within our lives and celebrating the joy of nature definitely resonate with me.
What is your art medium?
I work mainly with watercolours in combination with hand embroidery. The meditative practice of stitching lets my mind wander, a wonderful side effect of an art form that definitely requires a degree of patience. I love experimenting with stitch, playing with colour contrasts and learning new ways to portray what I find in nature. There’s something in the tactile nature of hand embroidery that I find really beautiful and seeing it slowly build is an exciting part of the process for me. ~ I generally use upcycled textiles which I paint with watercolours, letting the water and pigments create pools of colour. This definitely takes away an element of control but I like this contrast to the precise nature of embroidery. For any beads I use, I try to source these second hand or from unwanted jewellery where I can. Again I really enjoy the texture that beading can add to a piece and I think the jewelled look they give to a piece reflects my feelings that nature is precious and should be treasured.
How did you get into creating art?
I was encouraged to be creative with materials when I was young and loved playing with paint & spending time outdoors collecting things to use in my projects. The world of fashion discovered in my teens appealed to the maker in me & I decided to study Fashion Technology in the Scottish Borders. In my following career I learnt a lot about design & textiles, however the pace of mass manufacturing & often disposable nature of fashion was an uncomfortable reality of the industry. Taking time out of my busy day job to potter in our garden and sketch always gave me joy and after a move back to my home county, I took the decision to pursue my passion & create art that celebrates the magic of nature around us here in Galloway.
What do you make?
I create original embroidery paintings and have recently added art prints and greetings cards to my Etsy shop. A 160mm hoop generally takes around a week to complete and I often have a few pieces on the go at the same time. It allows the watercolour time to dry and I love the variety it brings to my day when I can skip between projects.
Do you work on commissions?
Yes, I really love collaborating on projects to create pieces that have a unique and personal significance. It could be a view of your garden, a wedding gift, a baby name and date of birth you want to celebrate. Personal textiles can also be included in the piece.
Please get in touch by email; zoepearlart@gmail.com
Approximate commission prices for round embroidered hoops are as follows;
130mm Hoop - £55
160mm Hoop - £75
190mm Hoop - £95
250mm Hoop - £120
Prices do not include postage and a deposit may be required before I begin the commission. I also create square & rectangle pieces, feel free to contact me to discuss this and I can provide you with an estimate. The final price quoted is dependent on the level of detail & extras like beads required.
Where can I see more of your process?
Find me on Instagram, Facebook or Pinterest where I share what I’m currently working on and inspiration images of mushrooms, flowers, even the occasional hare or butterfly if I manage to be fast enough with my camera.
