Melissa Jan @melissajanart - Tumblr Blog

One of my favourite birds, and a very special piece in the Birds as Folk collection, currently on display at Mansfield Museum.

The nightjar is the storyteller, cloaked in green, surrounded by moths, carrying old tales and quiet magic. This piece is painted in gouache and pencil, a medium I hadn’t used in over a year, so I’ll admit I was a little sceptical about how it would turn out.

#nightjar #bird painting #art blog #wildlife art #bird art

Meet the Jay, the collector

This soft sculpture is part of my Birds as Folk collection, currently on display at Mansfield Museum as part of a wonderful exhibition of local creatives.

In this collection, birds take on human roles inspired by folk art and local wildlife. The jay is the collector, drawn to beautiful, curious things, feathers, acorns, buttons, and pearls, all carefully gathered and held close.

Every single feather on this piece is hand-stitched, which means two things: a lot of time… and a finger that is still recovering.

Unlike the blackbird, this one was never introduced to the cats. A deliberate choice in the interest of preservation and personal safety.

She was meant to have woodpigeon friend, but I ran out of time to make him! I will start working on him again soon.

If you’re able to visit Mansfield Museum, you can see the jay in person alongside the rest of the collection and so much inspiring local work.

#soft sculpture #textile art #art blog #modern folk art #bird art

My only digital illustration in the Birds as Folk collection, currently on display at Mansfield Museum.

She is a long-eared owl, the watcher: quiet, observant, and still. Dressed in a cardigan, she sits just on the edge of the human world, noticing everything.

This piece took a little longer to arrive than the others. I actually illustrated her twice, because the first version didn’t quite sit alongside my textile work in terms of folk style and colour. Coming back to her, reworking the palette and feeling, helped her find her place among the stitched pieces, different in medium, but still part of the same story. If you're local, be sure to check out the exhibition at Mansfield Museum and support lots of local creatives.

#artist on tumblr #art blog #bird art #illustration

I’m so excited to finally share some art! This large embroidered and appliquéd blackbird is part of my Birds as Folk collection, currently on display at Mansfield Museum alongside work from so many brilliant local creatives.

In this collection, birds take on human roles inspired by folk art and local wildlife. The blackbird is the gatherer, he is wearing an apron full of flowers, busy collecting and caring for the world around him.

This piece took about a month to make, stitch by stitch, and I honestly couldn’t be happier with how it turned out. Huge thanks to Rain the cat for his very important assistance (moral support, thread supervision, occasional interference).

If you’re nearby, go and see the exhibition, it’s wonderful to be part of such a creative community.

#modern folk art #blackbird #textile artist #embroidery art

The heron embroidery pattern has landed on Patreon!

Elegant, calm, and perfect for your next slow-stitch project.

Available now for patrons

Creating wildlife textile art and illustration.

#embroidery pattern #heron #wildlife artist

Meet the newest member of my embroidery patterns: this little duck

A simple line-art embroidery design, taken from a series of duck illustrations I drew earlier this year. The full pattern is available now on Patreon! https://www.patreon.com/c/melissajan

#patreon #embroidery #embroidery pattern #mallard duck

Kicking off the new year with a little thank-you From 1st–14th of January, get 25% OFF all illustrated bird goodies!

Shop the sale before it flies away! https://www.etsy.com/shop/MelissaJanArt

#etsy sale #new year sale #art shop #birds

New textile pieces just landed in my Etsy shop!

Mushrooms, pigeons, puffins, bullfinches, and more, all stitched by hand and many made with reclaimed fabrics.

If you love nature, colour, or tiny worlds made of thread, have a peek.

https://www.etsy.com/shop/MelissaJanArt

#hand embroidery #applique #textile art #textile artist #bird art #melissa jan art

I’ve just released my December embroidery pattern on Patreon!

This month’s design features a robin on a snowy branch, full of cosy winter vibes and lots of texture. I pushed myself a bit with this one, trying out new stitches, layering techniques, and fun details to bring the little robin to life.

If you’d like to stitch along with me this month, the full pattern + stitch guide + step-by-step are available now for all patrons who join Songbird Corner. It’s a lovely project for the winter season (and a great one to curl up with on a chilly evening!).

Come stitch with us! https://www.patreon.com/cw/melissajan

#embroidery #winter art #embroidery art #embroidery pattern #art blog

My Patreon is officially LIVE!

If you’d like to support my work, you’ll get: * Behind-the-scenes looks at my creative process * Progress pics of my art & textiles * A brand-new embroidery pattern every month

Your support means the world and helps me keep creating.

Join here:

Creating wildlife textile art and illustration.

#patreon #artist on patreon #artist on tumblr

I love weaving both illustration and embroidery into my work because they feed different parts of me. Illustration sparks my curiosity, while embroidery satisfies my need to slow down and work with my hands.

If you’d like to see more behind-the-scenes sketches, works in progress of both my illustration and textile art, I will be sharing lots more over on my Patreon when I relaunch in October. Your support there will help me keep creating these little worlds of birds, beasts, and stitches.