Alyson Goes to Arches National Park

Just me and Angel.

While traveling to California, we stopped in Utah to visit Arches National Park. This was our first trip to a national park and it was breathtaking. Prior to the trip I heard that the number people of color visiting national parks was low. I’m not sure why exactly. But I am pretty sure Angel and I just increased the diversity. And Zeus increased the species diversity.

Zeus was comfy but thirsty.

Inspired by the rock formations, I started sketching the things that we saw there. The undulating lines created by the years of geological change were my biggest focus. I have always been a lover of geology and other earth sciences. This is why I have my gemstone guide and make jewelry. As a history buff, I love the stories these formations tell of the changes of the Earth. It also tells a story that nothing is forever. Even my life will end. That isn’t upsetting to me. Instead it just makes me know that I should live my life to the fullest. #YOLO! And I shouldn’t sweat the small stuff. Those shitty moments are but a grain of sand to these monuments of time.

The original formation which I believe is a Window Arch.

My sketch in color pencil

Deciding that I want to capture the “movement” of the undulating lines in the monument, I thought that a running stitch would mimic the lines.

Blue woven linen became my background. I cut fabric out in the shape of the formation and the sandy ground surrounding it. The red linen came from fabric I bought for a future dress or jumper. The tan fabric came from an old cotton camisole top that I used to wear. I attached the fabric to the background fabric with glue. Then my piece was ready for line work.

The running stitches are optically mixing the colors which is exactly what happens when viewing the real deal. As an abstractionist, I feel like I can easily capture these large forms in simplistic shapes to focus on color and texture. Of course, I am a huge Georgia O’Keeffe fan.

The final art piece.

A detail of the right side of the finished piece.

A close up of the left side of the piece.

This is a one of a kind piece and it is available here on my site. Shop now.

I want to make more of these and I take commissions. If you have any photos of desert scenes or any kind of nature scene that you would like to memorialize in abstract embroidery, please contact me.