You’re Invited to Be Part of Rita Summer’s Cancer Free Celebration
Help me celebrate being declared cancer-free after 5 years! Last month, I got the final all-clear.
No more scans, no more specialist appointments.
So now I want to celebrate! I would love it if you could participate in this special slow stitch project.
The plan is to make a fabric scroll with all your contributions, quite a long one I hope!
The finished scroll will be displayed in the very first exhibition in our new art shed, which is in the planning stages right now.
The Celebration in Slow Stitch Details
The brief is to stitch a small square (4 in x 4 in or 10 cm x 10 cm). Here’s how:
1. Select one or more red thread/s
2. Collect some small fabric scraps
3. Cut one or more 4 inch* square pieces of white or cream fabric for the background [*or 10 cm]
4. Arrange, cut and pin (or invisibly baste) some of your small scraps onto the background as desired
5. Stitch over the layers with your chosen red thread/s
6. Embroider your initials (also in red thread) on the lower right hand corner of your square
7. Send your completed square to:
Rita Summers, Gone Rustic,
PO Box 12, St Marys, TAS 7215, Australia
Supporting Local Cancer Clinics
Having local cancer clinics makes the world of difference and donations make the world of difference to them. They empower them to be here for those we love.
If you would like to support the wonderful team and work of the Holman Clinic Trust you can make a donation here: https://www.northernholmantrust.org.au/donate
Dare to Dream Slow Stitch Path
The back story: five years ago I was diagnosed with a rare aggressive uterine cancer. Long story short: big operation in Hobart followed by five weeks of radiation therapy.
My body did not cope well with the treatment.
To help me get through I did 2 things:
A. I made 16 small handstitched art quilts featuring red and other colours, which I called Dare to Dream. I usually could work at least a few minutes each day on these little artworks, sometimes more.
B. I wore something red when going into the clinic for treatment. This was usually a scarf, a necklace or my red shoes.
I didn’t know for quite a while why the colour red was so important.
Then it came to me: red was for courage. It has other meanings too of course, but this was what it meant to me.
12 Ways to Explore Your Creativity and Strengthen Creative Courage – Part 2
Dive into an inspiring collection of ideas and methods to explore your creativity through creative courage practices, offering practical ways to explore and grow.
Creating a Slow Stitch Scroll From Your Contributions
The plan is to make a fabric scroll with all your contributions, quite a long one I hope! The finished scroll will be displayed in the very first exhibition in our new art shed, which is in the planning stages right now.
About the Artist
Artist Rita Summers creates her work from the land itself – leaves and earth – the result of a direct relationship and collaboration with the Tasmanian landscape.
She finds and reinvents vintage and recycled materials with natural dyes or earth paints combined with contemporary stitching techniques, allowing the materials themselves to inspire her creations.
Through these media, Rita constantly explores ways to visually respond to and express her thoughts/reflections about life experiences, her faith and the local environment.
Her qualifications include a Diploma of Art Craft Design (Textiles) and a Bachelor of Education (including an Art major for which she earned a distinction) and has operated a gallery/studio under the name Gone Rustic in St Marys, Tasmania for over 20 years.
Her work has been juried into numerous exhibitions within Tasmania, interstate and overseas, and has attracted many awards.
She has also been published in various Australian and international paper and digital magazines.
Through her business Rita also hosts and curates art exhibitions from Tasmania and further afield, including Europe and the USA.
Rita was born in Canada but has lived, studied and worked in Tasmania since her teens.
Follow Rita as Gone Rustic on Instagram and Facebook, book into a workshop or event with Rita and explore her inspiring work online at Gone Rustic and join her email newsletter for all the latest happenings (look towards the bottom of some of the website pages for the discrete signup box).
Be Part of Fabulous Tasmanian Events
ANIMALS: from Silly to Serious by Hildegunn Hodne
Be Delighted by the "Animals" Exhibition ANIMALS: from silly to serious is an exhibition with detailed illustrations by Hildegunn Hodne, featuring bugs and animals, as well as people who interact with the main animal characters. The exhibition includes a large amount...
Stitching & Beyond Painting with Thread Workshop
Portrait in Painting with Thread Working in hand embroidery, Nicole will teach you in this workshop the skills of working in portraiture whether that be self-portraiture, a portrait of someone else or working with a still life composition to represent a portrait of...
Explore the Huon Valley Studio Art Trail & Meet the Artists
Huon Valley Studio Art Trail Immersion The Huon Valley Studio Art Trail is one of Tasmania’s most anticipated annual arts events and blends a creative journey with the spectacular scenery of Southern Tasmania. Over 3 days in October, more than 60 artists and makers...
Discover Inspiring Tasmanian Artists
Art, Flow & Purpose: Meg Shaw’s Creative Journey
Joy and Purpose Through Art for Meg Shaw Art brings me joy. I particularly love being in the 'flow' state of creation – when I'm absorbed in the moment - so much so, I have no sense of time. Another aspect that's engaging for me is being able to express myself in an...
Rachel Harris Creates Art That Sparks Connection and Care for Wildlife
A Sense of Wonder Inspires Creativity Living in Tasmania, it’s impossible not to be inspired by the wild. I grew up in New Zealand, and even after many years on Hobart's eastern shore I’m still in awe of the unique wildlife found only on this island. Each encounter is...
Janet Fuller Paints Joy, Courage & King Island
Inspiration is Everywhere on King Island I love it when things just work. That one amazing brushstroke that elevates the ordinary to something that makes you go "wow, that's it". When colours come together in a way that's so bold they explode off the canvas, or so...
