Ice Cream Bean Leaf

Always a creative soul, Kate knew she had found her medium of choice when she learnt to sew. She enjoys all forms of sewing: dress making, quilting, and even mending - but embroidery is her passion. Kate is drawn to the tactile nature of textiles and the way different embroidery mediums and techniques can be used to enhance an artwork. In addition to being a creative outlet for Kate, sewing also has therapeutic benefits. The physicality of the work and the mindful focus required for embroidery has provided a space for Kate to concentrate on her recovery journey.

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The vibrant colour of this Ice Cream Bean Tree (Inga edulis) leaf first caught my attention, but upon closer inspection, I was intrigued by the areas eaten away by insects. These nibbled areas created a delicate effect which reminded me of lace. I wanted to recreate this leaf and draw attention to the three different layers: the translucent skin where the insect has nibbled, the vibrant colour of the leaf, and the veins or skeleton of the leaf.