Saturday, November 14, 2009
Getcha some top quality Manbroidery!
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
My piece from the Yard Dog Gallery opening last weekend.
Shalom,
Above is a link to the Yard Dog site where you can buy my piece if you think you can "handle the truth"...
It is a "sequel" to my original "Pro Life" piece that was already sold when curator Jenny Hart asked to put it in the show. Not discouraged, I just churned out a follow-up piece. Those Pro-Life peeps are just sooo adorable, dontcha think? Anyway, it is mistakenly titled "Pro Life Murderer" on the site. That's a bit too political for my taste. The title should have been "Pro Life 2: Electric Boogaloo", but I am still honored and amazed that I was asked to participate in this amazing exhibit. So many talented stitchmasters were involved and I am humbled to be a part of it. Also, Why is this the first show I've been in in since college? I am awesome! PUT ME IN MORE SHOWS SOON! It's hard out there for a pimp.
Love,
Johnny Murder-MANBROIDERER.
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"Pro Life"-the original:
c
Thursday, November 5, 2009
I am in an art show in Austin this Friday!
Monday, September 7, 2009
HOLY SHIT! BEST THING EVER!!!!
Sunday, September 6, 2009
Yes, it's true. I am actually posting a new completed piece. They said it would never happen, but they were wrong...dead wrong. More to come. I'm in a zone.
-Love,
Johnny Murder
Saturday, September 5, 2009
HOW DO YOU SPELL RELIEF?
As you may have noticed, the king of MANBROIDERY (yours truly) has been absent from the blog arena. I had back surgery in late July and I am just now getting to the point where I can function without severe pain. Yesterday, I was prescribed a miracle medicine...LIDODERM patches. It is a patch that disperses Lidocaine through the skin. My former mind numbingly painful surgery scar is now totally numb and pain free. They were expensive as fuck but totally worth it. If anyone has back or other types of pain I highly recommend these little wonders. Ask your doctor. You won't regret it.
Soon there will be new Manbroideries for you folks to gawk over. Stay tuned.
-Johnny Murder
Saturday, August 1, 2009
"Back" in business!
Well, I had my back surgery on July 20th and I am getting very close to being fully recovered. I can already tell that the surgery has done some good because my feet and legs are no longer numb. As far as the actual pain in my back, it is hard to tell if it has worked or not because I am still having pain from the surgery and incision etc. I am now ready, willing and almost able to reclaim the king of Manbroidery. I have lots of ideas for pieces (some of them are pain medication-dream inspired)... Get ready, Blogylvania, here it comes...
Saturday, July 18, 2009
tick...tick...tick
OH, BOY on Monday, I finally get my back surgery. Hopefully, this will alleviate some of my constant pain, and I will be able to walk and stand and sit for more than 20 minutes at a time. I will definitely use my bedridden recovery time to complete my current projects and make several more, so keep checkinh out MANBROIDERY for some pain med-induced visions of crafty embroidered offerings.
-Much love,
Johnny Murder
Thursday, July 9, 2009
UNDER THE KNIFE...THIS IS MY LIFE
WELL, FELLOW AND FELLOWETTE FANS OF MANBROIDERY. YOU MAY HAVE BEEN WONDERING WHY I HAVE BEEN "MR. LAZY POST" THESE LAST FEW MONTHS. THING IS, I HAVE A SERIOUS BACK CONDITION THAT HAS PLAGUEING ME SINCE THE LATE 1990'S.I HAVE TRIED EVERYTHING TO GET RELIEF, FROM PHYSICAL THERAPY, TO EPIDURAL STEROID INJECTIONS IN MY SPINE, TO HEAVY SELF-MEDICATION...(DON'TRY IT, KIDS)SO NOW I HAVE FINALLY DECIDED TO HAVE THE SURGERY THAT THEY HAVE BEEN RECOMMENDING FOR YEARS.
NOW, AS A RULE I AM BALLS-SCARED OF SURGERY BECAUSE i HAD SEVERAL AS A CHILD AND THAT FEELING OF WAKING UP FROM ANESTHESIA IS WAY TOO SURREAL AT THIS POINT. THIS IS BASICALLY WHAT'S GONNA HAPPEN. THEY WILL REMOVE THE LAMINA WHICH IS MORE OR LESS THE BACK, POINTY PART OF THE VERTEBRA. THIS WILL GIVE MY HERNIATED DISCS ROOM TO SWELL WITHOUT CRUSHING MY NERVES WHICH IS WHERE ALL THE PAIN IS COMING FROM. IT IS SUPPOSEDLY A SIMPLE PROCEDURE, LASTS AN HOUR OR TWO AND I SHOULD FEEL ALMOST INSTANTLY BETTER ONCE THE DRUGS WEAR OFF. WE SHALL SEE.
SO WISH ME LUCK EVERYONE AND HOPFULLY, THIS WILL KICK-START ME BACK INTO THE WONDERFUL WORLD OF MANBROIDERY FULL-TIME.
KEEP ME IN YOUR THOUGHTS,TROOPS. YOU ARE ALWAYS IN MINE!
-JOHN FREEMAN
MANBROIDERY Headquarters: Portland, OR
P.S.-
are Packages are always welcome and encouraged.
john
3901 sw. plum st.
portland, OR
97219
Saturday, June 27, 2009
Friday, June 19, 2009
When I'm not embroidering...I'm doing this:
Saturday, May 23, 2009
NOT SURE YET WHAT HE'S GONNA BE LOOKING AT OR SAYING. ANY SUGGESTIONS? PLEASE HELP OUT IN THE COMMENTS SECTION BELOW. THANKS,
JOHNNY
SOON TO RETURN: FULL FORCE MANBROIDERY!!!
Monday, May 11, 2009
NEW PIECE THAT I MADE WITH MY HANDS AND MY ROTTEN BRAIN...
WOMEN WANT HIM, MEN WANT TO BE HIM. HE IS EVERY THING YOU WANT TO BE. HIS NAME IS BART. HE IS A TRUE "PUSSY MAGNET"...
Bear with me...
Friday, May 8, 2009
EMERGENCY PANTS...makes me laugh. In my pants.
Tuesday, May 5, 2009
CAPTAIN CHAOS, WE'LL MISS YOU!
HOLY SHIT! WILL THERE BE NO END TO THE DEATH?!? First it was Bea Arthur. Now it's the almighty DOM DeLUISE. At the tender age of 75, this multi-talented behemoth of genius was snatched from the earth by an angry and unfair deity of some sort. Farewell, Captain Chaos...
-JM
Thursday, April 30, 2009
FUCK YOU, STEALERS!!!!
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
INTERVIEW: The masterful genius of Cross Stitch, Mr X Stitch, tells all...
What do you find appealing about cross stitch as opposed to other fiber arts?
One of main appeals of the magnificent art form that is cross stitch is its constraints. Those little squares provide security and stability, as opposed to the freeform maelstrom that is embroidery. I’ve never been a great artist – as a comic collecting child I always figured I’d be the letterer, rather than the artist – and so the confines of the cross stitched form work well for me.
That said, I am developing a strong desire to do the Royal School of Needlework’s Foundation Degree in Hand Embroidery, but that’s a bit like a blue belt karate kid wanting to train with ninjas…
Like me, your work seems to focus primarily on what most people would consider "obscene" or "misanthropic". Are you full of hatred for the world? Or is it more of an artistic choice?
I’m a lover, not a fighter. I have hatred for some of the people running the world, but I have a lot of love for the rest of them. My work is a bit like therapy; at the moment I’m processing my feelings and experiences, particularly in relation to me as a manbroiderer. I’m just making things, getting stuff out of my system to allow new ideas and inspirations in. I’m sure that if I keep making this stuff, eventually I’ll start making something decent.
You have really stepped up and championed the cause of MANBROIDERY. Where do you see the future of MANBROIDERY heading?
It’s exciting being at the forefront of the MANBROIDERY movement. I know how much I enjoy stitching, and how much it settles my soul when I do it. And that’s why I want to spread the word about the concept. Stitching isn’t just for girls. You get much more stressed and angry using your X-Box than using your X-Stitch. It’s gonna take a few of us to stick our necks up and say “Hell yeah, I’m a guy and I stitch on the fly!” and I’m up for it. It makes me laugh how homemade clothes are often derided, but bespoke clothes cost a fortune, and yet they’re essentially the same thing. Once men start to realise that making a tie is just DIY, they’ll get on board.
MANBROIDERY is here and people had better get used to it, cos it ain’t going away!
If we ever meet in person, can we go door to door selling our respective wares? I'll bet you can really lay on the "hard sell".
We can do that, although we might choose to set up a table in Portland’s main shopping district and let the people gaze upon our awesomeness. Of course we’ll have to spend the first week shooting the breeze, but once that’s been shot, we’re there. I’m not that much of a salesman, I’m more of a natural phenomenon, but we’ll make the sales either way.
Is there a large craft community in England where you reside? Or are you more tied into the tight-knit (no pun intended) and cult-like internet craft scene?
The UK is definitely behind the States and Australia with regards to the Nu Craft Revolution, and so most of my homies live on the other side of the world to me. I’m doing what I can to make connections here, and there are some quality things happening over here, but it’s still early days. That’s pretty exciting for me though, as I’m in a good position to show people how cool crafts can be.
How the hell did you get all those amazing comic artists to do portraits of you? I would kill to have Glen Fabry draw me.
We have an annual comic convention in Bristol each year, and I went for five years running. The first year I asked artists for sketches of superheroes, but that seemed kinda lame. So the second year I summoned up the nerve and started asking for portraits. And it went from there. We’ve got some cracking artists over here and I’ve got sketches from the best of them. I need to get Stateside so I can continue my collection over there.
I’m surprised more people don’t do it.
Is stitching your main gig or do you have a "real" job?
Alas stitching is my passion, but it earns me nothing at the moment. So it’s fortunate that I have a full time job working as an IT Trainer for the UK’s largest children’s charity. It is my mission to develop a living out of this stitchery stuff, because I really love doing it, and I’m working my ass off to get there, so fingers crossed. I’m feeling pretty confident and I have a lot of supporters, so I reckon the future’s golden.
You mentioned that you have a "Mancave" that is like your fortress of solitude. Can you describe it without giving too much away?
I’d love to say it was only reachable via a rickety wooden rope bridge high up in the Andes, but the sad reality is it’s my home office. It has everything I need in there, including my comics, my stitch supplies, my computer and a growing collection of contemporary embroidery. It’s cool though, it has a big window which I can open and let the whole world in. It’s my zen space.
What other fiber artists get you excited or have influenced your work?
My biggest influence in the work I produce is my sister from an American mister, Beefranck. She’s been integral to making Mr X Stitch the success that it is, and we’re always bouncing ideas for new stitcheries off each other. I also have to give big props to Julie Jackson (of Subversive Cross Stitch fame) for breaking this boundary open in the first place. If she hadn’t done that first “Fuck You” cross stitch sampler, we’d still be stitching country cottages.
On the Mr X Stitch site we’ve featured some amazing artists, too many to mention, and they are a constant source of inspiration and amazement to me. William Schaff is a recent find who blows me away. And there’s this awesome dude called Johnny Murder who always impresses me with his technical skill and terrific humour.
It’s a great thrill to find a new artist on Flickr and post about them before anyone else. The more we look, the more we find. And new amazing embroidered art just keeps appearing every day. I love being able to share this stuff with the world.
What are your feelings on Blood Pudding? I tried it once and...no comment. But I had Blood Sausage in Puerto Rico and it was awesome.
Black Pudding (as we call it over here) is perfect when you’re in the right mood for it. Try it with scallops.
(bonus question) How can a connoisseur of fine art purchase some of your amazing work?
My work can be bought via my etsy store, although I’ve not got much for sale at the moment. Once I’ve got a decent body of work behind me, I’d like to exhibit some, and then maybe sell it. If someone wants a piece of my action, they can get in touch with me via the Mr X Stitch site.
(extra special bonus question) Tell us about the new feature on your blog "Not Safe For Work Saturday". Are you concerned that it may affect your gig at Cross Stitch magazine? Or are they cool about that kind of thing?
NSFW Saturdays came as a direct response to someone on Twitter getting upset about a recent post about Lesbian Porn Embroidery. The concept behind the thread is to admit that people are doing some pretty rude things with a needle and thread, and to bring those ideas to a wider audience, in a context that there are no surprises. If a post says NSFW, it means you might get upset. If you think you’ll get upset, then don’t read it!
So we’re taking the step to showcase the rude stuff, primarily for the development of the genre. People are doing this stuff, it needs to be shown. The boundaries need to be pushed so that a new, natural level of stitched art can be established. It’s called evolution. We’re not going to show any old crap just because it uses the C-Bomb though, it has to be a decent quality of work.
I’m committed to helping the medium of stitchery develop as an art form, and these kind of posts are a part of that. Any work that I might do within a more mainstream context, such as posting on the Cross Stitcher magazine site, will remain polite and graceful, as the mainstream isn’t quite ready for the full impact of what’s happening. But change is in the air, and my involvement in Cross Stitcher is a sign of a willingness for that to happen. I’m not going to anything to upset them, but I am going to lots to broaden their minds. It’s what I’m here for.
Monday, April 27, 2009
IF YOU HAVEN'T SEEN THIS MOVIE YET, YOU SUCK!!!
Saturday, April 25, 2009
Tourette's Syndrome: My ace in the hole!
BEA ARTHUR...WE HARDLY KNEW YE...
The amazing actress, comedienne, superhero and role model for lesbians everywhere, BEA ARTHUR, has sadly passed away at age 86. This ties into embroidery in that the infamous Rosey Grier in his book "Needlepoint For Men", made a special project for Bea. Dearest "Maude", Dearest "Dorothy"...You shall be truly missed!
Thursday, April 23, 2009
ENTER THE MIND OF AUBREY LONGLEY-COOK. MANBROIDERER. MASTER OF FOUND FABRICS. DISGRUNTLED NON-BOY SCOUT. AUBREY WAS KIND ENOUGH TO ANSWER MY QUESTIONS. ENJOY:
1. How old were you when you first started stitching and why did you start in the first place?
I was 19 when I first picked up a needle and thread. I was in school at the time, but there weren't any embroidery classes offered, so I started stitching on my own. My mother embroidered, and her work was a huge inspiration for me. She died of lung cancer a few years prior, and the act of stitching helped me come to terms with that loss. I was able to enroll in a Fine Art Textiles class the following year, and it was really solidifying to finally show my work and get feedback from my peers.
2. I love your use of mixed media, it brings to mind some of the work of Robert Rauschenberg. What artists have informed or influenced your work?
That's funny, because I wrote a term paper in high school on Robert Rauchenberg and Jasper Johns. Having just come out, I found their relationship intriguing and their artwork inspirational. I am definitely drawn to the rich emotions of Abstract Expressionism and the graphic patterns of Pop Art. A lot of other artists have inspired me over the years. I love the playful and narrative work of James Jean, the serene series photography of David Hilliard, the lush and opulent watercolors of Jeremiah Goodman, and the rich colors and modern shapes of Henri Matisse.
3. I am originally from Texas and I know that it has affected my artistic sensibilities. Has living in Georgia had any influence on your work or your "philosophy" about art?
Even though I have only lived in Georgia for two years, I am told that I have biscuits in my blood. I was born and raised in Hartford, Connecticut and moved down south after graduating from school in Rhode Island. There is such a calm and comfort to southern living, that I immediately felt at home. The pace of my life settled, and I was able to focus on my work. This transition to a slower speed of life is very similar to the calming pace of working in embroidery and the distortion of time that occurs. The process is so meditative, and my concentration is so magnified that the world shrinks to the boarders of my hoop.
4. What is your concept behind the appropriation and embellishment of found fabrics in your pieces, if there is one?
Finding my own narrative in the fabric is very satisfying, and I enjoy the humor that can sometimes be uncovered. I am inspired by the wonderful embroideries of fellow manbroiderer Richard Saja. He is a master at embellishing found fabric.
5. Were you ever a Boy Scout? Some of your pieces have a demented Merit Badge feel to them.
Sadly, I was never a Boy Scout. I spent a lot of time hiking, canoeing, and camping as a child, and I loved being outside, but unfortunately it wasn't a popular group in my neighborhood. The patches were always the most alluring thing about the Boy Scouts, and I wanted a sash, and I wanted all of the badges. I did take ballroom dancing lessons though. Connecticut is classy like that.
6. As a "manbroiderer" living in the South, have you encountered any resistance to being a "guy that sews" or have most folks been supportive?
I certainly have gotten many odd looks in the past when describing my work, but people rarely voice their shock in a negative way. It's something that I've encountered both in the North and South, but in the end, the work speaks for itself, and most folks are supportive. I must admit it has always been more of an internal struggle for me. There is something sacred and forbidden about embroidery, and sometimes I feel like I should be doing something more masculine with my free time like hauling wood or working on my car. I find this "man guilt" so strange, but I like that it forces me to question my own gender roles. In the end, I enjoy the process, and that's enough for me.
7. What are your feelings on the "craft vs. art" issue? Is it an issue to you ? Basically, do you consider yourself an "artist" or a "craftsman"?
I do see "craft" and "art" as different things, but that doesn't mean they are not intertwined. I like to think of myself as an artist who aspires to be a skilled craftsman.
8. What are your favorite embroidery tools? You, know fave type of thread, fave stitch, wooden or plastic hoops. We wanna know your deep secrets.
I love working with bright fabrics, neon threads, color gradients, and monochrome two tones. Geometric patterns amaze me, and I always try to incorporate them into my work. I prefer natural materials like wooden hoops and recycle meterials.
9. Do you sell your work? If so, how can we get them.
I currently sell my work at the Young Blood Gallery & Boutique in Atlanta, GA. I am in the process of setting up my Etsy shop, and I am also open for commission work.
10. I noticed on Spool Spectrum you mentioned that you suffered from herniated discs and did a great deal of stitchery while recovering. I have the exact same problem and have found that embroidering while recovering from that extremely painful condition is very therapeutic. Do you feel that creating art has healing and therapeutic effects on the artist? Is Art Therapy real?
When you're 6'7" back problems don't really come as a surprise. I was in a bad spot in fall of 2007 and couldn't get out of bed for two weeks. The time surprisingly ended up being a productive one. I was able to escape the confines of my bed through my work, and I found it very calming. This no doubt led to a faster recovery and helped me combat that gaping feeling of not being able to accomplish anything. I am much more careful with my back now. I workout regularly and stretch daily, and that's kept me on my feet. It's comforting to know that I can continue my work if my back acts up again.
11. (bonus question) Do you think there should be a MANBROIDERY backed candidate in the next election, running on the MANBROIDERY party ticket?
I think the work of William Schaff is unbelievably amazing. He's got my vote. http://www.flickr.com/photos/
Saturday, April 18, 2009
TRANSMISSION #6: "Pro-Life"
HERE IS MY LATEST PIECE OF MANBROIDERY, COMPLETED THIS MORNING AROUND 10am.
I DON'T USUALLY LIKE TO GET POLITICAL, BUT SOMETIMES IT IS NECESSARY...
NAH! JUST FUCKIN' WITH YA! "PRO LIFE" WAS THE ONLY TEXT THAT WOULD FIT IN THE MARGINS OF THE 6" HOOP.
THIS PIECE WILL SOON BE FOR SALE IN OUR ETSY STORE.
HOPE YOU ENJOY THIS SLICE OF WRONG...
LOVE,
JOHNNY MURDER
Zombie Manbroidery
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
Johnny Murder gets mad props on Crafster.
Monday, April 13, 2009
DAMN PIRATES!!!!!
BREAKING NEWS!
The mysterious master of (post)modern cross stitch and Manbroiderer extraordinaire, MR. X STITCH, has finally succumbed to the pressures of this modern age. He went and got himself a Facebook page. Let's all show our support for our brave soldier and befriend him. Then we can make him take all those ridiculous quizzes that we are addicted to. BRAVO, Mr. X Stitch, we knew you had it in you!
Thursday, April 9, 2009
Take my wife, please!
My awesome wifey, Penny Nickels, is interviewed on the new Feeling Stitchy blog.
Check out the interview here. Don't forget to visit her amazing blog, Donkeywolf. It's the bestest! Also, get the real thing right in your own home! Visit her Etsy store.
Love,
-Johnny Murder
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
Read our friend Bascom Hogue's awesome interview on Donkeywolf!!!
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
TRANSMISSION #5: UGLY IS THE NEW PRETTY...
Here is a Manbroidery in progress that is almost done. I have noticed that each piece I do gets a little uglier. I have always felt that it is the ugly part of people that defines them. I am pretty de-sensitized to pretty stuff. It bombards us and rains from the sky like Gucci toads. It's gotten to the point that it is hard for me to tell the diference anymore. Everything just looks the same. Cars. Models. Houses. Clothes. Etc... But the ugly...the UGLY is always fascinating. It is the true originality of an object or person. Celebrate the ugly in yourself and your fellow man. Ugly is the universal birthmark of the new millenium.
End of pretentious rant,
-Johnny Murder
MANBROIDERER
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
SAMPLER PLATTER
nightsmoke
nightsmoke
Originally uploaded by johnnymurderMonday, March 30, 2009
TRANSMISSION #4: Wifey Awesome, honorary Manbroiderer, does it again. GENIUS!!!
My sweet and talented and beautiful Wifey (aka DonkeyWolf), the person who basically "forced" me to learn how to embroider because she said I needed a "bed hobby" and thereby inadvertantly created a thread and hoop obsessed monster (me), has once again created a work of embroidered art (actually a set) that simply boggles the imagination. (by the way, I'm pretty sure that was a run-on sentence that just happened.) When I look at her work, it is so amazing, that it usually just barely fits inside my brain. Well, this time, it didn't all quite fit so there is some amazing beauty dripping down onto the sleeve of my shirt.
We are both HUGE fans of Werner Herzog and Klaus Kinski. Anyone who isn't, is a retard. She decided to pay tribute to these frienemies (that's a friend who's also an enemy...duh!) with a pair of sextacular embroidered pillowcases. You can set one at each end of your favorite couch and just let them stare it out for eternity. They are for sale at our Etsy Store.
Buy them. Worship them. Bow down to the superhuman talent of my sweet, sweet Wifey. That is all.
-Johnny Murder
MANBROIDERER




