Featured Artist - Danny Mansmith

A few years ago, I ran across Danny Mansmith's work on flickr.

It is amazing what he can do with his old school sewing machine.  His "studio" set on flickr is fun to browse through. Go have a look, there is too much good stuff there for me to share here. He recently posted that he is now accepting commission works from photos.

Wouldn't something like this make a great house warming gift?

 

Here you can see some in progress shots of this piece that was made from a photograph.

I love the stitching on this one.

He also makes more sculptural pieces and clothing and accessories. How about this awesome skirt?

Here's a progress shot of the skirt.


I have been wanting to know more about him and his work methods. Danny graciously agreed to answer some questions for us.

How did you get started sewing and specifically this type of machine stitch drawing?
I started teaching myself how to use the sewing machine around 1991. I remember the very first thing I sewed was a shirt , it was a patchwork shirt and I stitched out figures with the machine all over the front of it. Since than I have been slowly working that idea of drawing with the sewing machine and continuing to develop more and more control with the machine.

Do you have formal art training?

Right after high school I went to an art school in Chicago for a year for oil painting.

I love your "old school" sewing machine. Is this a straight stitch only machine? Do the feed dogs go down for free stitching or do you turn the fabric under the needle?  
The one machine I use is a Singer 20U33, it is a straight and zig zag stitch machine with reverse.

Maybe because I have been learning on my own I actually never knew anything about free motion sewing. I think it was just recently that I learned about it because when I posted images of my thread drawings online people said that they were done with the free motion technique. I make the stitched images by using the knee lift,  moving the fabric around,  and almost always hand turning the wheel.

I have come about drawing with the sewing machine the same way one drawings with paper and pen.

Who influences you... who is your favorite textile artist, musician, actor, person in history, etc.?
Many things come to mind but now at 41 I see they are all some how linked to my growing up with a very loving family. Also growing up and experiencing being bullied and feeling different from others has influenced me to have great compassion for others.  I see great beauty in things that most people think are ugly or sad, different looking people inspire me as do little kids and their wonderful free spirits. A front yard that has been neglected and over grown with weeds inspires me.

I love artist Judith Scott.

Where else do you look for inspiration?
For me it is very important to have time to myself, just allowing feelings and emotions to come up to the surface and these spark ideas and impulses to make things.

I know a lot of artists have a "day job" to help pay the bills. Do you have another job to help support yourself? If so, what is that other job?

It is always a juggling act to keep afloat, from commissions to odd jobs. But the focus is to have time to make the things I want to make, which is getting harder and harder to do.

What are your favorite threads?
I really just buy the biggest cones of thread at the fabric store.

What types of fabrics are your favorite to work with? (i.e., silk, cotton, wool, linen, synthetics, brocades, quilted, etc.)
It is interesting people think I just love really ornate fabric,  but my favorite is muslin. I just don't have the money to buy such fabrics but also my joy is creating the fabric so muslin is the perfect blank canvas. But there is really something about it's simplicity and color I just really am drawn to.

Is there a fabric type you would never use? Why?

I don't think so, as long as I could think of something to do with it then it could work.

From viewing some of your process photos it seems that you sometimes have a clear vision of what the end product will be, as when working from a photo. Other projects seem to grow organically and develop a life of their own.  Can you tell us about your work process and how you approach a new piece?
The images that follow a clear idea are almost always the commission pieces. Ideally when I work making art for me is pure freedom and joy. Making art It is a reaction to the world we live in, for me I often feel held back, frustrated, and many other things that aren't very nice feelings. So I create this spot in the world at that moment, my studio, to break free and run as fast as I can over the cliff.

Which of your pieces of your artwork are you most proud of and why?

I have very fond memories of an installation I did at the Hyde Park Art Center in Chicago  a few years back that was dedicated to the three ladies that influenced me growing up, my mom, grandma, and great aunt.

Is there anything else you would like us to know about you or your work?

Sharing more of myself to hopefully reach others to see the possibilities around them for creation for themselves. If anyone is near Seattle I will be selling my artwork and accessories at the Urban Craft Uprising Show on July 13, and 14 at the Seattle Center Exhibition Hall. I will also have a piece in the Surface Design Association  "Dancing Surfaces" show August 9th at Phinney Center Gallery in Seattle.

Danny, thank you so much for joining us today. 

Please take a moment and browse around Danny's flickr page, you won't be disappointed. Make sure you look through the studio set. Also, here is his shop.