Embroidered Artist Books

Embroidery is traditionally practiced on fabric; however, it can be an extraordinary and surprising way to embellish prints, photographs, or even artist books. In this workshop, we will begin by looking at examples of artists who embroider on paper, and then move on to a discussion of the necessary delicacy and techniques for stitching on paper and begin by making an embroidered paper "sampler." With this as a foundation, we will progress to making simple book structures and create an embroidered artist book.

Michelle Wilson is an interdisciplinary thinker, whose work involves papermaking, printmaking, book arts, installation, and social practice.

She has exhibited her work both internationally and in the United States, including participation in biennials such as Philadelphia's Philagrafika 2010 and the 2006 Second International Biennial for the Artist's Book in Alexandria, Egypt. Her practice includes frequent collaborations with other artists; in particular the Rhinoceros Project (with Anne Beck).

Her artworks are in various collections, including Yale University (New Haven, CT), Columbia University, (New York, NY), Stanford University, (Stanford, CA), the National Museum of Women in the Arts (Washington, DC), and the Mediatheque Andre Malraux (Strasbourg, France).

She is a past Artist-in-Residence at the David and Julia White Colony in Ciudad Colon, Costa Rica, the Jentel Artist Residency Program, in Banner, Wyoming, the San José Museum of Quilts and Textiles, and Riabitare con l'Arte in Fontechico, Italy. In addition, she served as a Teaching Artist for the NIAD Art Center, (Richmond, CA) and Southern Exposure’s program at the Oakland Juvenile Hall.

Grants and awards she has received include a 2021 Artistic Excellence in Performance Grant from San Jose State University, a 2020 Barbara Deming Foundation Grant, a 2016 Puffin Foundation West Grant, a 2013 Artist-Investigator Grant from San Francisco’s Triangle Arts Lab, and the 2007, Lenore Adelman Award for Book Arts. Creative Capital designated her as an "On Our Radar" artist in 2015.

Wilson currently teaching printmaking, artist books, and papermaking at Stanford University, as well as workshops throughout the Bay Area and beyond. She lives in Oakland, California.

• Embroidery floss in various colors (DMC brand recommended)

• Needles

• Scissors

• Cutting mat

• Exacto knife with multiple blades

• Papers for artist book interior - Rives BFK or Stonehenge recommended

• Old prints, photographs, interesting collage materials

• Various decorative papers for book covers

• Awl

• Bone folder

• Extra embroidery floss

• Sewing paper cards

• Bookboard for book covers

• Foam for absorbing punched holes