David M. Chartrand
I am so happy to welcome David M. Chartrand
from Santa Barbara, CA, to the Guest Gallery.
David writes:
"I have been doing needlepoints off and on for many years, and am absolutely self-taught. A Grandma Moses of needlepoint one might say, but with a contemporary bent. My interest is more with shape and color than in particular stitches, and my fascination is in the area of Abstract."
"Over the years, in the process of raising a family, there have been times when I could afford studio space, and times when I could not. Yarn was the solution when the space was needed for some other function, as it could safely be put aside without worrying about drying times. I had long admired tapestry work, but money and space precluded owning a loom. Therefore, needlepoint was a perfect compromise."
Please click on the images to see the enlargements:
24" x 22"
on 10 point Penelope
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"All the work is my own design and none of my pieces have titles. I'm currently working on piece number 65, and exhibited here are pieces number 45, 50, 56, 57 and 64, all completed during the past few years."
51" x 32"
on 10 point Penelope
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"I'm not fussy where the yarn comes from, and I'm definitely not a 'purist' . . . however, like most artists I get satisfaction from creating something that never existed before."
22" x 26"
on 10 point Penelope
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"I don't exhibit or try to sell my work . . . at 72 years I think my time is better spent working on my projects, although I would welcome any comments that might be forthcoming."
26" x 22"
on 10 point Penelope
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"Most of the time I start a piece with general areas indicated, but not really knowing how it will end. Sometimes it works, sometime it doesn't, but it is always a rewarding time of introspection."
20" x 32"
on 10 point Penelope
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"Now, that I no longer have to "work"; that my family is all grown; I spend my time traveling and working on the projects that suit me. This piece above is my sixty fourth needlepoint and I'm currently stitching number sixty five!"
"During the years I worked in business to support my family, and at the same time as a professional photographer, stage and lighting designer, artist and writer. During all that time I have always believed that the intellectual process was more important than the notoriety; that it was more important to 'grow' than worry about what others thought. Some may say a misfit, a radical, but stitching is a great time for introspection while the mind works in mysterious ways on my other creative projects.
My loving partner and companion of ten years has been after me, kindly, thank goodness, to let other people see what I do, and this gallery is a wonderful way to do just that!"
David M. Chartrand - September 2007
David can be contacted by email: David M. Chartrand
