Kindred Tales | Martha & Hogan | Illustrated Stitch
Martha Hussey is the London based artist behind Illustrated Stitch who creates bespoke hand threaded artwork. Using a thread paint technique, Martha uses hand embroidery thread like paint to create images of people, dogs and wedding portraits. Joining Martha in her studio is Hogan who enjoys nothing more than a lunch time stroll around London’s Hampstead Heath
Tell us a bit about Illustrated Stitch and how it all started
It all started at Central Saint Martins where I completed my BA in Fine Art, since then I had been a portrait painter. Illustrated stitch began when I moved into textiles and thread painting in the last few years and I have recently started using a “Tuft Gun” (a large automatic yarn gun for rug making) creating portraits but on a large tufted scale.
Tell us about Hogan and how he came into your life.
Hogan came into my life 6 years ago when I met my boyfriend. He was an odd little thing, very picky about who he liked and wasn’t into his food, my first day there with him he fell asleep on my tummy when I was having a nap and that was my sign of his approval.
How does having a Hogan fit into your general working day?
An average day with Hogan starts with a kiss on my cheek (on a good day) or a body slam/bum on my head to tell me it’s time for his breakfast, then he either goes to work with my boyfriend who takes him everywhere or stays with me in the studio and we go for a walk on the heath.
What essentials do you always have on you when heading out for a dog walk, and what do you carry them in?
I never leave the house without poo bags! He loves paddling in a river (but he must know it’s not deep! Because he hates swimming) so a good walk along the river is a favorite.
