Individual from Kopeysk performing needling artwork
In the quiet town where she resides, Elena Senko is known for her captivating embroidery works that adorn the walls of many homes. Her pieces, a blend of tradition and creativity, have been a labour of love ever since she picked up the needle again in 2011.
Elena's husband crafted special, comfortable hoops for her embroidery work, and she keeps her tools minimal - a blunt-ended needle for cotton thread, a sharp one for beads, canvas, and hoops. This simplicity allows her to focus on the intricate details of her designs.
Her inspiration often comes from the world around her. After finishing a new masterpiece, Elena ponders what she should embroider next. Recent additions to her collection include a meter-long embroidery piece depicting a girl by the ocean and a pair of lions, inspired by her horoscope.
Elena's works are a testament to the unwritten code among embroiderers - all work should be neat on both the front and the reverse, with no knots on the back. This meticulous attention to detail is evident in her works, which are often hung in every room of her large house, including the sauna.
Elena's admiration for embroidery began as a child, watching her grandmother create beautiful flowers without any patterns. This intuitive approach to embroidery has influenced Elena's own style, as she often embroidered people and recently started embroidering animals as well.
One of her most notable works, a meter-long embroidery piece, took Elena three years, two months, and one day to complete. However, if she were to do just one stitch a day, it would take eight years to finish such a piece. Due to her eyesight, Elena can no longer work on a "stitch a day" basis, but she still dedicates several hours each week to her embroidery.
Elena's works are cherished by friends, acquaintances, and relatives who admire her dedication and artistry. Her latest project, the pair of lions, features an impressive 35,000 crosses, a testament to her patience and skill.
Despite the time and effort required, Elena finds joy in her embroidery, a passion passed down through generations and a tribute to the traditional art form.
Elena's embroidery works, not only enrich the home-and-garden atmosphere of her large house but also reflect her unique lifestyle, blending tradition with creativity. Fashion-and-beauty enthusiasts might appreciate her intricate embroidered depictions of people and animals, showcasing her distinctive sense of design and detail.
