We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Louise Traficanti. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Louise below.

Louise, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Do you think your parents have had a meaningful impact on you and your journey?

My parents never questioned me going to Art College even though there was no obvious career choice that evolves from that path. They understood that this was my path and I would not be happy doing anything else. They always encouraged and supported me: I realize that not everyone’s parents are as supportive of their children’s career and I only hope that I can do the same to my own children as they navigate life.

When I decided to emigrate at the age of 21 they did not stop me or project their own fears or worries. As a parent I realize how difficult that is: my daughter is almost the age I was when I left Ireland and while I would like to think that I will be as open as my parents were to my choices I can see how difficult it is to allow your child to take such a large leap in life at a young age.

Louise, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

I studied Textile Design in Ireland at NCAD (National College of Art and Design) and have always loved any textile media/application. After college I emigrated to the US and worked in various jobs before I found my textile home at Eastern Accents. My position as Creative Director allows me to be inspired by textiles from all over the world, While working at this job I continue to create and explore my own voice.

Eventually I created a website www.pointyneedle.com where I make and sell items. Pointy needle felt like a natural fit as a name where my work often involves sewing and fabric. Embroidery is a constant thread through my work and I have embroidered on leaves and wall hangings, I also make large scale tapestries and tiny embroidered earrings.

Another love I discovered is working with flowers, I use flowers as a medium to create dynamic and beautiful pieces. This led to tablescaping and creating environments for events.

Everything I do involves color, texture and layers whether in textiles or at an event. My work always seeks out the same ingredients with color, pattern, interesting compositions and details that tie a theme together.

I have completed commissions for clients also: weaving a hanging/shawl that represented a Female CEO’s journey through life and her career was one of the most intimate commissions I received: knowing details and struggles of her life and translating that into a finished product to accompany a talk she gave was an honor and a whole distilling process of life, techniques and information into a creative composition.

My wiring is such that when I am not creative or challenged I feel as though I am not alive: the act of making, learning and creating art is what inspires me onto the next idea and project. Mistakes are often the direction that I need to take to get to the next stair on the creative journey I am on. I am inspired by other artists works and sometimes just even conversations. I do not question the journey as each step leads to the next platform where I sometimes stand and reflect on what I am doing and where this stage came from: sometimes it is an aesthetic viewpoint sometimes it is more than that. It is all sustenance and necessary to keep moving forward.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

I cannot see the world through any other eyes than my own and the way I see the world is through layers, color, pattern, texture: all the essential things that are in my work. The personal fulfillment is what drives me: I am compelled to create and this is just my DNA. Another outlet I have found is through teaching: I also teach classes that involve flowers, embroidery and textile techniques like tapestry weaving or fabric decoupage. There is no roadmap in this journey but when you share with others this inspires me further and allows me to keep moving on my own journey. Continuous movement is what I need to feel rewarded and that I am doing what I need to. I have been painting lately and feel the impetus to create with paint and texture. After working in a media for a period of time and then pursuing a different media when you return to the same media again the viewpoint has changed and my approach and style also changes. Nothing is ever stagnant and that is what I love about being creative.

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

When I was 14 years old I was in Art Class at my High School and while the whole class was working in a particular media at the time I asked the teacher if I could do the same project in a different media. This did not go down well and the teacher allowed me to do it in the most passive aggressive manner: I had to sit away on my own from the rest of the class with the materials I had requested and create with no input or guidance from my teacher. I was ignored and marginalized because I wanted to explore something new.

I sat on my own and executed the project as best as I could. While my teacher did not like this situation and was discouraging any initiative from students I think he learned that I was not going to be silenced. I was going to do what I felt and would deal with the consequences whatever they would be. Throughout High School I won art awards nationally and internationally and the teacher never dictated what the medium was but he did help guide and navigate me through these different processes.

Your gut always tells you what is right and you cannot ignore that inner voice. To not follow that voice only encourages regret which is something that I try to eliminate from my life as much as possible.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.pointyneedle.com
• Instagram: thepointyneedle and textiletrailblazer

Image Credits
All my own photos