Annie O'Dorisio Embroidery Art with Wool and Ink on Paper

Portland-based artist Annie O’Dorisio creates these minimal, yet complex works with ink and yarn on paper. The geometric formality of her work is softened by the use of wool, something she refers to as adding warmth to otherwise ‘masculine’ shapes. Annie O’Dorisio practices extreme restraint in these works, sparingly using carefully chosen touches of colour, and leaving masses of negative space. The result is this unique body of architecturally inspired works that makes the viewer want to get as close as possible and examine each individual mark.

Tell us a bit about the progression of your art to where it is now

I actually think about this a lot. I used to make these really large-scale oil paintings inspired by cityscapes when I was University of California Santa Cruz (UCSC). Before that I was always making, since I was really young, I remember the drawings I made when I was 8 years old and how I felt when I was drawing, so happy. And then I just kept drawing and adapting the drawings into other mediums, sculpture and painting. Natural progressions I suppose. But when I got out of college and lived in small apartments in San Francisco I did not have room to paint so large on canvas so I started painting and drawing on paper and playing around with sewing into the paper as a way to get closer to what I was creating. I also tried painting and sewing on linen canvas, but at the time the paper just resonated more with me. Lately, I have been experimenting again with linen but am using linen twill which is much more forgiving. I have just sort of been drawing with wool. It’s really breathing some new life into me and my art practice.

At what point in your life did you decide you wanted to be an artist? And how did you start out?

I would say a real turning point was when I was about 30 years old, I had continuously made work but was feeling like I needed some support and to be around other artists, and hold my self a little more accountable. I signed up for a couple night classes at California College of the Arts (CCA). It was the best decision I could have made. I met incredibly talented artists and teachers that were supportive, resourceful, and inspirational.

What is it like to work with yarn on paper? Are there any restrictions to your medium?

It feels meticulous and extremely satisfying. I really enjoy how the wool adds dimension and warmth to the work. More literally, I love running my fingers over the wool, I’m the only one who gets to do that. Over the years I have developed rules for how I add the wool to the paper, there are restrictions but I have imposed them and often they more have to do with composition than whether it can be sewn into paper.

Why abstraction?

Well, this is interesting because I don’t know that I would necessarily use that word to describe my work. I actually did once and one of my teachers sort of convinced me that was not an accurate description. Not sure why, maybe it’s too all-encompassing? Anyway, I think it works but more often I would describe it as sculptural and architectural. Regardless, the shapes and patterns just form constantly in my thoughts and I have to actualize them.

A lot of artists are turning to fiber art right now, what does it mean to you to work with fiber?

I started experimenting with embroidery thread and paper about 10 years ago. It felt right and wrong, the thread was too shiny but I felt excited and once I found the very thin wool I use now I knew I had found my new medium. To me that is really what it is, another medium for drawing, it’s warmer and tactile and sculptural and it just opens up so many possibilities for what I want to make.

Where do you get your inspiration from?

I think I am always just absorbing what’s around me, if something that I have done, like taking a hike, or something I’ve seen or read brings me joy or curiosity then I feel inspired. Sometimes it is something more obvious, a building, a trip to the museum, or a documentary, but a lot of times its just everyday sparks of happiness that inspire me and get my brain into a create mode.

Can you describe your daily work routine?

Honestly, I am sometimes afforded time during the day while my children nap but most of the time I work for a couple hours once they are asleep at night. I’ve hesitated in the past to share that I am an artist and a mother because I have been told that people will not take me as seriously, but it is a huge part of who I am and influences my practice immensely.

How do you spend your time when not making art?

I love being outside, so I walk, hike, or run every day. I have to stay active, it helps my mood and I am much more inspired and engaged when I am feeling content. I obviously spend loads of time with my children, they are little and not in school quite yet. It’s really fun because I end up going places with them that I would not end up otherwise and I see things I wouldn’t otherwise see.

In what direction would you like to take your work in the future?

This is what I am working on right now. I am sort of having this moment of disenchantment and am working on some new ideas. Bringing drawings back onto linen and using just wool, but then I hesitate to call that crewel embroidery because that is not what it is to me. It’s tricky, so I am letting go of some of my rules and experimenting and seeing where it takes me. It is already informing my practice and providing me with a mini-revival.