47. Fashion, Art and Mystical Stitches with Christi Johnson

On today’s episode of The Good Dirt, Mary and Emma have a conversation with artist, teacher and “sorceress of the stitch” Christi Johnson. Christi’s art reflects communion and connection with plants, revealing the hypnotic beauty of botanicals. Her work includes alchemy, herbalism, and images which are stitched slowly and methodically into fabric. Christi is dedicated to rejoining the art of embroidery with its complex and meaningful origins. Throughout the episode, Christi discusses her own history within the fashion industry. Mary, Emma and Christi remind us that “cheap is never a bargain” and discuss how many of the problems with manufacturing in the fashion industry are hidden from the consumer. Christi also dives into the concept of images as language, and talks about allowing the creative process to be a conversation between you and the work that is ever-changing and not predetermined. Christi discusses her dedication to experimentation, exploration and evolution in her work, shares her dream of bringing art and meaning back into traditional craft and how giving our art power in turn allows us to empower ourselves. Christi’s new book is entitled “Mystical Stitches: Embroidery for Personal Empowerment and Magical Embellishment”. THIS EPISODE IS BROUGHT TO YOU BY PLAINE PRODUCTS. USE CODE LADYFARMER FOR 20% OFF. Let’s get into the episode: 1:30. Mary tells the story of her plant rescue mission 9:00 - Christi Johnson, sorceress of the stitch 11:20 - Christi introduces herself 15:30 - Understanding composition 30:30 - The intersection between herbs and art 34:00 - A “good” price 37:30 - Images as language 52:00 - Working with the seasons 1:00 - Mystical Stitches 1:01 - What does the Good Dirt mean to you? Things Mentioned: Mixed Color Mystical Stitches Magic Threads Stitch Wish Shop Plaine Products Textile Arts Center Doug Johnston Emily Fisher: Haptic Lab Braiding Sweetgrass The ALMANAC Summer Enrollment A History of the World in Seven Cheap Things Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy