Heather Martin

Artists and their artistic creations go hand in hand with cross-stitching as their second palette for others to enjoy.  Whether this is cross-stitch transferred from a famous artist whose work is well known and very famous, or it is a well know artist who designed a particular needlepoint in mind, is in the eyes of the beholder.  The quality of artwork is good regardless or they wouldn't be selling online. The bad ones have been and gone long ago.

One American company, The Candamar Designs, handles such work as the Candamar cross stitch kits, featuring international famed artists like Thomas Kinkade. The kits contain the chart and aida fabric with a full color background printed on it, stranded cotton thread, needle and full instructions. 

The foregrounds areas are to be worked with the threads, creating a wonderfully 3-D effect.  Many cross stitch works have been made into projects by some of the most famous artists who ever lived.  One fine example is the work of Thomas Kinkade and his works of light, "Painter of Light" and "A Holiday Gathering".  This company also carries Monet's pictures such as the "Japanese Bridge".

Another excellent company from Holland called Lanarte creates counted cross stitch kits from the Lanarte design studio.  With some being created in fine evenweave fabrics, these designs are specialized from original drawings or paintings, and are created by professional artists.  The cross stitch designs created by this company are soft and subtle romantic pictures that are translated over from the original art.  Colors are soft in beiges and natural tones, with just touches of color to enhance the feeling of this work.

The Janlynn Cross Stitch Kits are very creative, and work with a large base of artists.  This home-based company has the largest and widest variety of cross-stitch designs available, with wide styles and designs available.  The company was originally started in 1979 with the motto of "express your creativity" as part of their company's identity.  Artists such as Teresa Wentzler's enchanting designs of magical Arthur, dragons and mythical creatures ranging to a wide variety of dog and cat cross-stitch designs complement their list of available projects.

The works of Berta Hummel, charming design pictures about the life of children in early Bavaria, are available from the Anchor Company, also known for their quality needlepoint threads.  A large variety of kits, also available are the Native American and Oriental counted kits, with humorous works available too.  American based, this company does a lot with the embroidery machines and threads for them.

One of my favorite companies that do kits from architectural drawings is the Britain in Cross Stitch kits, which feature their famous castles, cathedrals, and well-known landmarks.  One such quality work, "Leeds Castle, Kent" has an easy to follow color chart, with a white 14 count Aida fabric, stranded cotton threads arranged onto cards, needle and full instructions.  Leeds Castle is located in Kent, the "Garden of England". 

Another castle cross-stitch is Buckingham Palace with Big Ben, the Tower of London, and St. Paul's Cathedral.  These cross-stitches are of ultra sharp quality and outstanding beauty of the real thing.

Overall, anyone who has the ability to create is an artist. So, by creating a cross-stitch you are using your artistic creativity the same as any of the great creative artists. If you desire to transfer your art onto your blank fabric, then by all means, do so.  You are only steps away from the same position as artists' such as Rembrandt, Picasso, and other famous artists of that ilk.