Stitchin' Post

Seattle artist Rebecca Shapiro first learned how to embroider about five years ago. Her first artworks were largely based upon illustrations found in old medical books. Soon she began stitching examples of actual telegrams, safety instructions and people in old found photographs. Rebecca draws her inspiration from her collection of old books and texts on outdated psychology, health and nutrition; of old dental molds and deconstructed typewriters; and the comics of Superman's pal, Jimmy Olsen. In 2009 she became a hit at the Outsider Art Fair in New York when she was first represented by Garde Rail Gallery (formerly of Seattle and now Austin TX). After that success, Rebecca took a few years off to return to school, which is where we first met. I had the good fortune to have her as a student in the graphic design program at the Seattle Central Creative Academy. (See my post of her book design work in the latter half of this previous post.) After graduating in 2011, she has worked as a book designer and now a UX Designer at a nameless large Seattle company. And she has also found time to pick up her curiously odd embroidery again without scarcely missing a stitch. If you are in New York City this weekend, look for her work at the Garde Rail's booth at the Outsider Art Fair which runs through Sunday at 548 West 22nd Street in Chelsea, and please tell her hello!