TJ Barczak

In my hunt to recreate this Greco-Roman mosaic, I realized many things. First, I love Michael’s. This craft store will hopefully someday become my next apartment; I can make crafts anytime I please. The medium I have chosen to compose the Parrot Pergamom is embroidery stitch, good ol’ embroidery stitch. Now you might ask, TJ, where did you learn to stitch? I didn’t. I just like making those summer camp friendship bracelets and said, “I can roll with this.”

My hoop setup is very mobile, so my work environment can change wherever I take it. I love that about my project because I won’t have to be cooped up in a room or basement to finish my project. I have achieved the ability to have options. How this will relate to the mosaic, mainly color and shape will be of note, color through the invention of dyed thread and the shapes of the main details in the mosaic. So embroidery floss can fill the whole hoop, and the background will distort into a circle. Some problems I am willing to anticipate are creating a parrot template, seeing that drawing isn’t something in my daily routine, and playing around with a new medium I have never tried (the stitching aspect). On the other hand, my drive to recreate a colorful parrot on a brick will keep my mind positive in this endeavor!

When audiences look at my composition, I hope to appreciate the fine details that coincide with the creation of this stitched parrot. Also, I want audiences to look into the contrasts of color between the background and foreground and the contours/shading of the entire piece. Pushing the thought away from the audience and more the maker, my sister is an influence on me whenever I try to do art. She’s my best consultant and lifeline if I ever feel that I’m struggling to “open my creative side” and just craft. Since she’s a sophomore at MICA, Renee knows a tip or two when it comes to shrinking down work time or working out an art-related problem. For that, I often thank her. Another influence I’m taking is the style of the stitch which I’m inspiring my piece from (making this stitch slightly simpler). This video by Sarah Homfray Embroidery explains a condensed mosaic stitch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nvbpbg_xQBY. This stitch can give off the effect of a mosaic tile with smaller “groves” surrounding more full sections. I’m super excited to work on my recreation of the Parrot Pergamom and the peaceful stitching I get to do for the next couple of weeks!