Is N.H. a New Destination for Creatives? Why Some Cultivate the ‘Creative Economy’
Contemporary embroidery artist Sarah Benning at her home studio in Keene, New Hampshire. Photo by Katherine Garrova for NHPR
At her home studio, embroidery artist Sarah Benning stitches together one of her pieces. It’s a sun-filled room at this time of the morning. The artist’s finished work spills into the space around her with dozens of circular canvases bubbling up onto the walls. There are also plenty of house plants around.
“A lot of my work is inspired by my own house plants,” Benning says, “The very first plant pieces I stitched were actually inspired by houseplants that I killed, luckily I’ve gotten better and they’re not all dead plants now.”
Viewing Benning’s embroidery work feels like looking through little portholes to find scenes of lush green plant life and tiny stitched scenes of home. The artist says she’s inspired by mid-century modern furniture and clean minimal lines.
What started as a hobby for Benning is now a full-time job. She teaches embroidery workshops around the world, consistently sells out of original pieces that range from about $80 to more than $1,000 and has half a million fans keeping up with her work on Instagram.