Stand on that X there

November 4, 2022 9:42 AM

Using freehand machine embroidery, Peter Frederiksen recreates scenes - and sometimes even short animated clips - from classic cartoons, and sometimes makes more abstract sketches. His web site is a bit neglected and the freshest images are on his instagram page.

Here's a 20 minute interview from the Museum of Non-Visible Art, and more images from his current show at Postmasters Gallery in Rome.

Because his web site is so neglected, you might get security warnings when visiting pefrederiksen.com. It's safe, just not encrypted!

posted by moonmilk (8 comments total)

These are really rad, thanks for sharing.
posted by GoblinHoney at 9:54 AM on November 4, 2022 [1 favorite]

Very nice. I'd love to know what equipment he uses. I scanned the site and an interview but so no mention.
posted by bz at 10:05 AM on November 4, 2022

I found a bit more information on the Massey Klein Gallery site:

Throughout his exploration of the medium, the artist has developed a free-motion machine technique, commonly working on a standard sewing machine that has been altered by removing the presser foot and lowering the feed teeth, allowing Frederiksen to engage tension while moving an embroidery hoop around freely. The result is dense embroidery stitched onto linen canvas, which is then stretched onto a wooden panel as a nod to traditional painting.

posted by moonmilk at 10:10 AM on November 4, 2022 [2 favorites]

Thank you, moonmilk.
posted by bz at 10:14 AM on November 4, 2022

Some details on his tools and process in this article linked in his Instagram bio: Steal My Craft: Peter Frederiksen.
posted by fussbudget at 1:56 PM on November 4, 2022 [2 favorites]

Thanks, fussbudget - that article is great!
posted by moonmilk at 4:04 PM on November 4, 2022

Serious shades of Scenic Simpsons, Scooby Scapes and... Looney Tunes Backgrounds.
posted by BiggerJ at 2:27 AM on November 5, 2022

"Moving methodically in a straight stitch" is a little terse - I haven’t done this but I have a couple howto links saved:

https://youtu.be/6U0_Eq7o0k4

https://youtu.be/c6UU6HpLEpw

Often called freehand embroidery or free machine embroidery or possibly dogs-down, which doesn’t seem to have the search presence it deserves.

Doing it in dense ?satin? stitch is going to be slow but that’s how you get shading and other cool effects. It also seems easy to make it hard on your machine - consistent with the OP artist breaking needles all the time.
posted by clew at 10:17 AM on November 5, 2022 [1 favorite]