A few days ago I got a chance to interview Porterness. She does AMAZING inventive work. I was blown away by the beauty of her stitching. I hope you enjoy her work as much as I have.
1. Tell me a little bit about yourself.
My name is Jennifer L. Porter, but in my imaginary Etsy and embroidery empire I go by Porterness. I currently live in the Silver Lake area of Los Angeles with my partner in fur Winifred, a muted Calico cat named after my grandmother. I have a Maters of Fine Art from Calarts where I studied photography and video art. When I’m not stitching my brains out I teach analog and digital photography at Chaffey College.
2. How did you get started stitching?
My grandmother taught me the basics when I was 9 years old. I picked up embroidery off and on over the years for little for projects. Reform School, in Silver Lake, was offering an embroidery class taught by Erika of My Imaginary Boyfriend so I thought I would dust off all my grandmothers’ embroidery floss and learn the difference between a running stitch and the backstitch. It was a dark and raining night when I finally learned the magical ways of the French knot and once again became addicted to the meditative quality of embroidery.
3. What inspires you?
I'm inspired by Carl Jung’s concept of the shadow, collective unconscious, and archetypes. Oh, and then there is Spencer Krug of from the bands Sunset Rubdown, Swan Lake, Fifths of Seven and Wolf Parade whose cryptic lyrics create images that baffle and enlightenment me while leaving me completely confused. Is it illegal to stalk a rockstar through embroidery and did I just say that out loud?
www.blackcabsessions.com/sessions.php?id=1211923942
4. What advice do you have for other needleworkers out there?
Dig deep into your own experience and imagination to create something you love.
What an awesome woman! TY for the interview. TTFN ~ Marydon
ReplyDeleteGreat interview!
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