While Mr. Forager & I are on the road, making our way to California, we’re rerunning Artsy Forager’s most popular posts. This post originally published on April 23, 2012 and got a huge bump thanks to being featured on the Freshly Pressed WordPress feature. Enjoy!
Do you have any idea how bummed I was to miss out on Shaun Kardinal’s show, Connotations, while we were in Seattle? So very very bummed. But time was not my friend on this trip. Two half-days and only one full day just isn’t enough to fit in time with friends, every gallery show I wanted to see and one on one time with the hubby. But I know I’ll be back and I have a feeling Shaun’s work is going to continue gaining ground while I’m gone.
Connotation No. 18, hand-embroidered paper collage, 9.75×6.5
Kardinal increases the complexity of his collages with this new series. Beginning with a foundation of vintage ephemera, he embroiders each piece with a geometrically intricate design carefully placed to compliment the retro imagery.
Connotation No. 25, hand-embroidered paper collage, 9×6
Kardinal’s work feels like sophisticated folk art and I mean that in the best possible way! It is approachable, yet thoughtful. Highly designed using common materials. Love.
Connotation No. 24, hand-embroidered paper collage, 11.75×11.75
Connotation No. 19, hand-embroidered paper collage, 9.25×8.25
To see more of Shaun Kardinal’s work, please visit his website. If you’re in Seattle, do what I couldn’t– go see his Connotations show at Joe Bar Cafe.
Featured image is Connotation No. 2, hand-embroidered paper collage, 11×11. All images are via the artist’s website.
aviatrixkim
April 25, 2012 at 8:33 AMWhat a great find! So glad you shared this.
Lesley
April 25, 2012 at 8:36 AMGlad you enjoyed Shaun’s work! Did you have a fave?
Cheers!
Lesley
aviatrixkim
April 25, 2012 at 8:38 AMI think the suspension bridge snagged my attention the most. It’s the one I remembered best after I left the page. What with all the sweeping grandiosity and all. 🙂
By the way, you’re about to get about 15,000 page hits in the next couple of days. Enjoy!
Lesley
April 25, 2012 at 8:48 AMGreat choice! I think my fave is the other bridge– I love the composition and juxtaposition of colors.
Wow– how I am getting that many hits? 😉 I’m already seeing an increase in traffic this morning. Do tell!
aviatrixkim
April 25, 2012 at 8:50 AMYou’re on Freshly Pressed, the daily WordPress “best of” collection. Just happened to me two days ago. (Mine is the cat photo, titled “On Working.”) 16,000 hits later…
Crazy, but fun.
Lesley
April 25, 2012 at 8:58 AMI just figured that out. 😉 This is my second go-round being on FP– it does make for a whirlwind few days, doesn’t it? Congrats on your FP, I’ve been away for a few days, but will check out your blog!
aviatrixkim
April 25, 2012 at 9:01 AMSame here. And both times, FP seemed to be driven by a photo of my cat. (She’s undeniably cute.) That’s the Interwebs for ya.
Carlie Chew
April 25, 2012 at 8:41 AMWow, great work! Thanks for sharing. I look forward to catching his show.
Lesley
April 25, 2012 at 8:49 AMAre you in Seattle, Carlie? I hope you can see it! Report back when you do, if you’d like. 😉
Cheers!
Lesley
Lauren Pauline
April 25, 2012 at 9:35 AMDarn it, nope I live in Tampa : (. Do you know if the show is posted online anywhere?
Lesley
April 25, 2012 at 9:37 AMYou can go to Shaun’s website to see more of his work, Lauren! http://www.shaunkardinal.com
Great art in Tampa, too! 😉
Cheers,
Lesley
thomaswrites
April 25, 2012 at 8:49 AMGreat! Thanks for exposing my culturally-ignorant self to this form of art, I really enjoyed it 🙂
Lesley
April 25, 2012 at 9:03 AMGlad you enjoyed it, Thomas! I truly believe that for everyone, there is a type of art that will “speak” to them. Hope you check back for more, you’ll be an art afficionado ( sp? ) in no time!
Cheers!
Lesley
Mikalee Byerman
April 25, 2012 at 8:57 AMSuch beautiful work…the “movement” in the bridge piece is incredible…love how it draws your eyes in.
🙂
Lesley
April 25, 2012 at 8:58 AMGlad you enjoyed it, Mikalee! Welcome to Artsy Forager!
skirting boards
April 25, 2012 at 8:58 AMAmazing work! Loved it 🙂
Valerie (all mussed up)
April 25, 2012 at 10:08 AMCan I just shine the spotlight away from the art and onto you for a moment? I am totally digging the groovy colour scheme you have going on!
Lesley
April 25, 2012 at 10:14 AMHaha.. thanks, Valerie! I loved the color scheme when I first started the blog last year, but I’m in the process of coming up with a redesign so that the background is a bit more neutral. 😉 The turquoise will still be incorporated though– my favorite color and you’ll definitely see it pop up in much of the artwork featured.
Cheers!
Lesley
Money and Business Plan
April 25, 2012 at 10:12 AMGreat find!
Katie Raspberry
April 25, 2012 at 10:20 AMVery interesting absolutelyloved the post!
Katie
http://katieraspberry.wordpress.com/
Lesley
April 25, 2012 at 10:26 AMThanks for visitng, Katie!
thebigbookofdating
April 25, 2012 at 10:21 AMThis is so creative and wonderful!
Jason Ministries
April 25, 2012 at 11:15 AMAmazing; I’ve never encountered such art. Are there other artists in this genre?
Lesley
April 25, 2012 at 11:36 AMAbsolutely! Check out the work of Lucky Jackson ( http://www.lostateminor.com/2012/04/21/365-embroidered-artworks-by-lucky-jackson/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+LostAtEMinor+%28Lost+At+E+Minor%29 ) and Jose Romussi ( http://cargocollective.com/joseromussi ) to start. There are others out there!
Jason Ministries
April 25, 2012 at 11:56 AMNice! 🙂 Thank you.
shauniqua
April 25, 2012 at 2:47 PMthanks, jason. there are a lot of cool works being made by a fair few embroidery artists… in fact, Elephant Magazine recently had an article on the recent boom (http://www.frameweb.com/magazines/elephant/elephant-9), noting these artists: Maurizio Anzeri, Lauren DiCioccio, Maria Ikonomopoulou, Inge Jacobsen, Shaun Kardinal, Stacey Page, Ehren Elizabeth Reed, Hinke Schreuders, Berend Strik, Melissa Zexter. i’d also add Gabriel Dawe, Erin Frost, Selflesh, and Jessica Ginsbourg!
cheers!
Jason Ministries
April 26, 2012 at 7:42 AMNice. I’ll be sure and check that article out. 🙂 Thank you.
Shaun Kardinal
April 25, 2012 at 2:48 PMthanks, jason. there are a lot of cool works being made by a fair few embroidery artists… in fact, Elephant Magazine recently had an article on the recent boom (http://www.frameweb.com/magazines/elephant/elephant-9), noting these artists: Maurizio Anzeri, Lauren DiCioccio, Maria Ikonomopoulou, Inge Jacobsen, Shaun Kardinal, Stacey Page, Ehren Elizabeth Reed, Hinke Schreuders, Berend Strik, Melissa Zexter. i’d also add Gabriel Dawe, Erin Frost, Selflesh, and Jessica Ginsbourg!
cheers!
Lesley
April 25, 2012 at 4:56 PMThanks for that list, Shaun! 😉
Shaun Kardinal
April 25, 2012 at 6:22 PMmy pleasure. sorry about the double-post there. 😀
gooddeedaday
April 25, 2012 at 11:48 AMLove suspension bridges in general, so very cool to see one used for art, thanks for sharing!
Lesley
April 25, 2012 at 11:53 AMThanks for stopping by! I share your affection for bridges. 😉
Cheers,
Lesley
kinetikat
April 25, 2012 at 1:13 PMThese are great, a really left-field use of vintage photos, embroidery and geometrics – often, as you say, with an almost classical-folk motif thing going on. Fab stuff, thanks for sharing it! And congrats on the FP! Just one thing – any idea what size these pieces are?
Lesley
April 25, 2012 at 4:57 PMHi kinetikat!
The sizes are listed in inches in the caption under each image. Glad you like Shaun’s work!
Cheers!
Lesley
Claudia
April 25, 2012 at 1:26 PMWoah, those are really cool! Detailed yet simple. 🙂
angelique523
April 25, 2012 at 4:17 PMI really appreciated the way you described the work as “approachable yet thoughtful” because I am completely fascinated with this work. Thank you so much for opening my eyes to something new and beautiful today. Excellent blogging.
tshirtlegend34
April 25, 2012 at 5:13 PMGreat post. Definitely an interesting read.
We’re giving away free t-shirts. Check it out today at…
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unsouthernbelle
April 25, 2012 at 6:16 PMI really found his work fascinating. Thank you for introducing us.
Lesley
April 25, 2012 at 7:14 PMGlad you enjoyed it!
katleenj
April 25, 2012 at 10:02 PMThe fact of seeing structures in the landscape or in a nice view you have, is something that hits me walking around. He found a very creative way to show them!
ashee
April 25, 2012 at 10:44 PMnice……
asheeee.blogspot.com
dreamz infra
April 25, 2012 at 11:08 PMawesome creativity..like it very much
dreamzinfragreat
April 26, 2012 at 12:45 AMnice post..good article
eighteenthousand
April 26, 2012 at 2:45 AMReblogged this on eighteenthousand.
Lesley
April 26, 2012 at 7:16 AMThanks for reblogging! 🙂
Cheers,
Lesley
Dean Whitehorn artblogs
April 26, 2012 at 6:17 AMAs a first time visitor, congrats on a great blog site promoting a great variety of artists and genres. Sean’s work is a particularly interesting use of materials creating visual interest! keep up the blogging!
Lesley
April 26, 2012 at 7:15 AMThanks so much for the kind words, Dean! Promoting interesting work by talented artists is my passion, I’m thrilled you enjoyed the site & Shaun’s work. Hope to see you again!
Cheers!
Lesley
ivanjerrickkoh
April 26, 2012 at 6:47 AMI like the bridge.
midnitechef
April 26, 2012 at 8:19 AMThese are interesting… never seen anything like it!
Kudos for FP!
Lesley
April 26, 2012 at 8:27 AMThanks, glad you enjoyed Shaun’s work!
Cheers!
Lesley
J Rankin
April 26, 2012 at 9:29 AMCongratulations on being Freshly Pressed. Thanks for sharing Shaun’s work. Fantastic. My fave is the bridge. The top part makes the symbol for the Akhet, but the hole in the circle is pure genius!
Lesley
April 26, 2012 at 9:39 AMThat is a fantastic observation, J! Thanks so much for stopping by and sharing your favorite and what you see. Hope you enjoy the blog!
Cheers!
Lesley
J Rankin
April 26, 2012 at 7:59 PMI am, and I will stop by again.
Richard McCargar
April 26, 2012 at 10:33 AMLovely post, and congratulations on your freshly pressed!
Lesley
April 26, 2012 at 11:00 AMThanks so much, Richard! Glad you enjoyed Shaun’s work.
Cheers!
Lesley
Constance V. Walden
April 26, 2012 at 1:14 PMInteresting artwork. Unique ideas. Connie
http://7thandvine.wordpress.com/
lindalind
April 26, 2012 at 5:46 PMCool art! Thanks for sharing 🙂
/Linda
http://www.lindalind.com/blog
Musings, random.
April 26, 2012 at 7:23 PMGreat works! Thanks for sharing.
http://musingsrandom.wordpress.com/poetries/
flats in bangalore for sale
April 27, 2012 at 12:10 AMvery creative ..
thanks for sharing .
and i think its a best blog on wordpress.
dreamzinfra
April 27, 2012 at 2:02 AMAs a first time visitor, congrats on a great blog site promoting a great variety of artists and genres. Sean’s work is a particularly interesting use of materials creating visual interest! keep up the blogging!
Aidyearts
April 27, 2012 at 2:08 AMoh this is cool photos 😀
lijiujiu
April 27, 2012 at 3:51 AMGreat find and beautiful pics.
Congratulations on being Freshly Pressed!
segmation
April 27, 2012 at 7:37 AMWhat nice choide of colors and mixed media! Thanks for sharing!
Saudi Prices Blog
April 28, 2012 at 2:59 AMgreat and beautifull
Like Q. | Best Quotes
April 28, 2012 at 8:17 AMGreat…
http://www.likeq.me
AbbyEscArt
April 28, 2012 at 9:53 AMThis is really cool. I love the combination of photography and embroidery.
Lesley
April 28, 2012 at 10:34 AMGlad you enjoyed Shaun’s work! Thanks for visiting, Abby!
Cheers,
Lesley
Homeward Bound and Messing Around
April 28, 2012 at 10:19 AMCool! This makes me want to visit Seattle even more.
Lesley
April 28, 2012 at 10:33 AMMy favorite city! Do visit if you can and make sure you have plenty of time to explore!
Cheers!
Lesley
Homeward Bound and Messing Around
April 28, 2012 at 12:14 PMI plan to! My husband goes there often for work and has only good things to say about it. I would definitely need at least a week to check it out 🙂
Fabricio M. Oiwa da Costa
April 28, 2012 at 5:45 PMReblogged this on Filosofia, Mente e Fabricio!.
princessofthejellyfish
April 28, 2012 at 6:27 PMIt’s really surprisingly beautiful.
mongrelcitizen
April 28, 2012 at 7:27 PMThis art is interesting and brings geometical shapes overtly into relationship with the “naturalism” of photographs of architectural structures and reminds us of all sorts of things, hidden and not so hidden.
Three Men & A Red Head
April 28, 2012 at 9:56 PMReblogged this on Open Kitchen.
Lesley
April 29, 2012 at 8:27 AMThanks for reblogging! 🙂
Cheers!
Lesley
sheepgomoo
April 29, 2012 at 7:10 AMUgh! I love his stuff so much it hurts- the use of geometry, found imagery, embroidery- this dude has combined all my favorite visual things. I first heard about him over on jealouscurator.com, but this was a great reminder.
Great site overall, btw, it’s made it into my ‘to visit daily’ bookmark toolbar!
Lesley
April 29, 2012 at 8:27 AMGlad you share my love for Shaun’s work and enjoyed the blog! I first saw his work through another of his fellow artists, though I’m also a fan of The Jealous Curator blog. 😉
Hope to see you around the blog!
Cheers!
Lesley
girltherapy
April 29, 2012 at 11:02 AMI had never heard of Shaun Kardinal and thus was unfamiliar with his works prior to coming across your blog. I checked out his website and love the embroidery pics. I remember doing something similar with some kids when I worked as a Nanny but clearly nothing like Shaun’s. I may even try it myself – would be good when I need to block myself out of a photo:)
Lesley
April 29, 2012 at 11:06 AMHaha.. love your idea of using to enhance unflattering photos! Glad you found the blog!
Cheers!
Lesley
Lauren Michelle
April 29, 2012 at 9:55 PMWhat an amazing artist. Sorry you missed the show, but thanks for the spreading the word!
Lesley
April 30, 2012 at 9:39 AMGlad you enjoyed his work, Lauren!
Cheers!
Lesley
minithingy
April 30, 2012 at 11:47 AMHello! Great article and really awesme blog keep the good work 🙂
I would like to share with you one of my project about the word emotion!
1-Click on this link : http://www.behance.net/gallery/Screw-your-emotion/3767504
2- “appreciate it” by clicking on the blue icon at the bottom of the page!
It’s part of a university project and my grade depends of the clicks and votes!
Please help me! thank you!
Vanessa
Great work again !
geordiesgirl
April 30, 2012 at 11:51 PMtotally inspiring!
http://www.geordiesgirl.com
www.macuisineetvous.com
May 1, 2012 at 12:30 AMsymetrical wonderful
Benoit
christopherduncanart
May 1, 2012 at 1:34 AMReblogged this on Christopher Duncan and commented:
Interesting stuff here!
Niki, unifiedspace
May 2, 2012 at 9:16 AMThat’s very cool work, really enjoyed the post, thanks.
Friday Faves: String Theory « Artsy Forager
June 1, 2012 at 10:56 AM[…] may remember the fabulous work of Shaun Kardinal, featured a few months ago. I was completely smitten by his technique of combining found materials and embroidered elements […]