This piece marks a significant milestone in the Vintage Western series—El Toro, my first embroidered bull. Let's begin with the story of its background. The fabric is a deconstructed seed sack from 1902, unquestionably the oldest fabric we have ever worked with. The bag was carefully laid flat, quilted, and stitched with over 100,000 stitches, featuring unique pick stitches and motif stitches that fill the entire 10-square-foot canvas. I intentionally preserved the scars and mended areas, embracing the history and character that make this backdrop truly one-of-a-kind. Once complete, the background was mounted on a board and prepared for its final presentation.

The bull itself is monumental, crafted with over half a million stitches in rich, luxurious wool thread. Tones of blue, steel, lavender, and caramel give life and depth to its form. After days of meticulous embroidery, the bull was hand-trimmed and mounted on clear acrylic, creating a striking relief effect against the vintage fabric background.

Measuring 40 by 40 inches and framed in acrylic, this piece would make a captivating addition to any home or office space, blending history, craftsmanship, and bold imagery in a truly unique work of art.

40x40x2 inches, framed in acrylic.

2025