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| An Early Attempt at Embroidery |
Anatomy: This is my favorite stitching subject. Assume that I was a straight A student in Anatomy? Former member of the Science Club? Please. My undergrad is in Criminal Justice. 4 years ago, I found myself switching from my role as a Foster Care Case Manager to an HIV Case Manager. I had previously interned at a psychiatric hospital but had no other experience with the medical field. Over the course of a typical work week, I spend endless hours sitting in exam rooms with clients while waiting for the doctors. Each room is equipped with an anatomical chart. Staring at these charts for months, I started to become intrigued with the art behind the education. I happened to be picking up embroidery at the same time that I was starting to become intrigued by anatomy art.
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| Co-Infection: Hep C & HIV Cells |
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| Stitchings of An Institutionalized Woman |
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| My First Freelance Project, Ink Magazine, KC |
Finished Product/Finished Job: When you work in the people business, the job is never done. There is rarely an easy fix and new needs always arise. Being ready to respond and provide support as needed is the heart and soul of the field. I know so many Social Workers who are also artists. I have a theory that they get an unconscious fulfillment that comes from completing an art piece. To know that the task is fully completed. The to do list can be fully cleared.
Beer Friday: I’ve always been in the non-profit world. I only recently realized that Beer Friday exists at some jobs in the private sector. Hilarious. I now get these too, after 5pm, with my stitching gig.
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| My Stitched Map of La Isla De Ometempe, Nicaragua |
There are my thoughts. More forward thinking and less debate about how I can manage to balance my two great loves. Maybe embroidery will be developed into the most powerful therapy tool to date. Until then, I'll keep on stitching.
