ART OF ANNEMIEKE MEIN Wildlife Artist in Textiles

by Annemieke Mein

Using various methods of embroidery, fabric-painting techniques and all kinds of textiles, Annemieke Mein demonstrates how to combine these skills to create a sculptural medium. Many of her textile studies of flora and fauna are illustrated in the book. frogs, blossoms and most often invertebrates, such as moths and dragonflies. Each work uses a wide variety of materials - silk, wool, cotton, synthetics - carefully chosen for their colour and texture. These fabrics are then painted and stitched to reproduce her chosen subjects and to enhance the tactile quality unique to textiles. Many techniques are used in various combinations - hand and machine embroidery, dyeing, applique, trapunto, quilting, pleating, felting, beading, weaving and plying. techniques, which, combined with her sense of colour and composition, show how textiles can be used as a scuptural medium. This book should be of interest to all those working with textiles, and all forms of needlecrafts, fabric painting and soft sculpture.

Genres: Art, Nonfiction, Crafts, Knitting

160 pages, Hardcover

First published March 1, 1992

Reviews

[Linda (NOT RECEIVING NOTIFICATIONS)]

The detail, realism and colors are mind-blowing. I envy this artist.

[Sophy H]

Wow! Just wow!

Annemieke Mein is a genius. This book of her work is absolutely stunning. It's hard to believe someone could make such intricate, detailed and lifelike pieces with material and thread. Mein is so talented and modest in her descriptions of her pieces.

I was honestly blown away by the skill in the work featured here. This book is definitely a keeper and one I'll get great pleasure from perusing in the future.

5 stars

[Tracy Shephard]

This is a beautiful book, filled with intricate designs created through embroidery and paint.
While there are no instructions on how to achieve one of the pieces yourself, there is a basic description on how they were made.
From wall hangings to free standing sculptures each one is stunning. The photography is just amazing and the skill involved is there for all to see.
All are very life like and the reality of some pieces are frightening.
I loved the stories that go with the designs, the author tells how each piece was born and brought to life.
There is no doubt of the talent and the expertise of Annemieke Mein and only in my dreams would I ever hope t be as good, but this book is amazing and while filled with inspiration, it will definitely be a talking point.

[Junee Rowe]

I have read this before and am reading it again as an inspiration for my own artworks.

[Frances Bullock]

The best embroidery - loved loved and inspiring

[mrs p.j.Killoran]

wildlife artist

What a stunningly beautiful book, the artists work is so accurately sewn , I am so happy to own a copy.there are no patterns, just a beautifully illustrated book.

[Lloyd Downey]

I've coveted this book for many years but it's always been a bit expensive on a cost benefit basis. But at a charity bookstall, it was a steal and it's a wonderful book. It depicts the textile sculpture and embroidery-artistry of Annemike Mein and her work is truly stunning. I guess i have a multiple interest in her work. I dabbled in sculpture for a while and her work is often very sculptural and in three dimensions. Also, I'm interested in the invertebrates such as insects and butterflies that she often chooses for subjects. And I've also dabbled in botanical painting and spent ages drawing a banksia infructescence (cone) ...which she also depicts. And, finally, I note that we are both the same age. But apart from interest in her work she just seems to be an outstanding artist. I just love her use of space and imagination with a vision of saw flies (not the most attractive creatures....especially their larvae) scrabbling for the light.One of the things I especially like about the book is the way she is so open about her techniques and what has gone into them....things like felt from discarded army berets and felted wool wrapped in a stocking. And then she lets her imagination go and designs fantasy butterflies ....which could easily be real. As a craftsperson, she is clearly right at the top of the pyramid and it shows in some of the working drawings which are annotated with little notes about how she will pucker the fabric here to give a 3D textural effect etc. Occasionally she uses painting techniques for backgrounds so she is not shy about mixing her media...whatever works.
There is enough there to not only display her works but also to show the working technique. Maybe I would have liked a few more photographs of her "on the job" ...or in the studio....orr in the wild making sketches etc. But Hard to be too critical. (Actually, after writing this I've gone back to the book and realised that there are a reasonable number of these sort of shots.....maybe I would have liked more). It's a really nice publication. Excellent colour rendition (well it looks good...impossible to compare with the originals...I note that it was printed in Spain)....and I'm really glad she put the effort into making the book. As her Lawyer said: "Make it and you will have regrets for a month ...don't make it and have regrets for a lifetime". An easy five stars from me.

[Carole]

An amazingly beautiful AND inspiring book! Even if you're not a textile artist, the artwork is of benefit.

It's also a book I keep out on my coffee table, it's that beautiful ... IMO.

[Erica]

The Art of Annemieke Mein: Wildlife Artist in Textiles by Annemieke Mein (2001)