How Mediterranean life inspired freehand embroidery of a sea bream fish illustration

Freehand embroidered fish notebook

The Mediterranean evokes vivid memories for me.

Many years ago, I lived in the Mediterranean, and spent countless hours snorkelling in the crystal clear waters of the Aegean and Mediterranean, sheltering from the blazing sunshine.

The underwater world was abundant with fish, octopus and sea creatures and I learnt to recognise the most common fish swimming alongside me.

It was impossible to resist painting them there and then on the harbourside, but marine life has continued to inspire me ever since.

A few years ago, I traded my brushes for a needle and began stitching, translating the spirit of the sea onto fabric. The result was a freehand embroidery fish illustration, inspired by the sea bream.

Sea bream, known as Çipura in Turkey is a delicacy found on the menus of almost all seaside restaurants. The embroidered fish was transformed into a notebook cover and remains my tribute to my Mediterranean memories.

Freehand machine embroidery of a fish

Browse through my portfolio of fish illustrations fine art prints.