The making of...The Birds of Innocence

THE BIRDS OF INNOCENCE

The Birds of Innocence design is based on the composition of an antique ‘spot sampler’, where images and motifs are arranged together in an aesthetically pleasing format, but don’t necessarily create a realistic scene. The motifs Sabina chose for this design were birds, and each species featured is either threatened or endangered. As with most embroidery samplers, alphabets, numbers and verse were frequently included in spot samplers as a way to practise detail and lettering. Each design from the Samplers of Sincerity collection contains a trompe l’œil embroidered verse, inspired by those found in antique school samplers. The verses contain a moral caution to protect our natural world.

Sabina wrote the verses in each design, inspired by the texts she found during her research; She also penned an additional short verse to accompany each design.

Those whose fond wishes and thoughts do aspire

For feathered creatures to thrive! Such a simple desire.

If you are wise, you’ll see there’s much to gain,

Use well your time, live not an hour in vain.

The ibis, the hornbill, the dove, the macaw,

Rush to save Earth’s beautiful birds, I implore.

THE BIRDS OF INNOCENCE ILLUSTRATION IN PROGRESS