The Paul McCartney Project

Textiles with added mixed media
80cm  x 70cm

My name is Jane Sanders, and I am a textile artist based in Newcastle Upon Tyne. I stitch portraits of popular musicians on my vintage Singer sewing machine. I love the dichotomy of using a domestic utilitarian machine to create vibrant pop art portraits. I like to stretch the boundaries within textile art by often sewing with unconventional materials, and adding mixed media. I think it adds to the narrative of the person I am trying to portray. Ultimately, I am striving to create a familiar face in a whole new light.

My sewn portrait of Paul McCartney is a celebration of him being the being the most successful and loved composer of love songs this country has ever produced. Created in his 80th year, I wanted to portray him holding his hands making a heart symbol, with a jacket festooned in love hearts. I asked, via my social media, if McCartney fans would like to make or donate a heart for the jacket. I was so flattered that in all, 57 fans from all across the world sent hearts! The result was a wonderful and colourful collaboration between myself and people that love and relate to Paul’s music.