Kristine Clemons
Artist's Statement
History is my strongest influence, all aspects of history from writing, houses, clothing, family, and photographs, all aspects of the distant past. The imagery I use is inspired from photographs, etchings or décor typically from the 1700 and 1800’s.
I sew fabric in my canvases because there are very strong ties in history to sewing. All women would have needed or wanted to sew. Sewing was a staple of a woman’s everyday life, whether it is darning or embroidery, functional or decorative. Even the aristocratic women would sew. I sew by hand and the imperfect stitches become like a brush stroke, completely personal.
Calligraphy is used in my work, not only for its historical ties but it allows me to tell a story with my painting. My work has an illuminated manuscript quality when there is calligraphy added. I use the text to project the feeling, theme or idea of the painting.