Aleea Dugstad’s embroidery-based mixed media art bridges the worlds of traditional craft and contemporary conceptual design.
Aleea Dugstad's embroidery work merges geometric abstraction with organic themes, using innovative stitching techniques to explore structure and symbolism.
Through meticulously constructed pieces, Dugstad combines geometric abstraction with symbolic imagery, exploring themes of nature, structure, and visual rhythm. In Bug with Flies, Flower Bouquet, and Untitled, she showcases her innovative approach to embroidery, transforming thread and fabric into striking visual narratives.
Explore our curated selection of contemporary artists from around the globe.
Naturalist Gallery offers artist representation internationally. Apply your art.
Bug with Flies, Aleea Dugstad, 2022, mixed media, 11.25 x 8 in. / 28.57 x 20.32 cm.
Bug with Flies (2022) is a visually engaging embroidery piece that places a stylized bug at its center, surrounded by hovering flies. Dugstad carefully planned the composition, first stitching the border before centering the insect’s form. The deliberate use of two thread colors enhances the sense of depth, guiding the viewer’s eye toward the bug and the surrounding movement. This piece highlights Dugstad’s fascination with insects as artistic subjects, emphasizing symmetry and organic motifs within a structured format.
Flower Bouquet, Aleea Dugstad, 2024, mixed media, 11.5 x 8 in. / 29.21 x 20.32 cm.
In Flower Bouquet (2024), Dugstad translates natural floral forms into a geometric arrangement. Using an abstract design approach, she sketched the composition beforehand, ensuring a balanced distribution of flowers and stems. Each bloom is unique, reflecting a departure from realism while maintaining a recognizable botanical theme. The artist employs a loop stitch technique, creating a subtle texture that brings the piece to life. The fusion of strict geometry with organic elements exemplifies Dugstad’s signature aesthetic.
Untitled, Aleea Dugstad, 2025, mixed media, 11.5 x 8 in. / 29.21 x 20.32 cm.
The Untitled (2025) piece represents an evolution in Dugstad’s practice, blending bold graphic elements with intricate stitchwork. Initially focused on a single flower, the composition expanded to include a side panel with contrasting patterns. The addition of red thread introduces a striking pop of color, breaking the monochromatic scheme and injecting energy into the piece. Dugstad’s choice to use a non-traditional stitch technique—replacing the usual cross-stitch “X” with a diagonal slash—adds a dynamic sense of movement.
Across these three works, Dugstad demonstrates a commitment to structure, abstraction, and detailed craftsmanship. Whether through the symbolism of insects, the geometry of flowers, or the interplay of patterns, her pieces embody a harmonious balance between tradition and modernity. By reinterpreting embroidery as a contemporary artistic medium, Dugstad’s work invites viewers to see textile art in a new light.
Learn more About Naturalist Gallery of Contemporary Art.
You may also find the following articles helpful:
The 14 Essential Artists of Impressionism
Expressionism: 20 Iconic Paintings & Their Artists
Renaissance Art: Origins, Influences, and Key Figures
Classical Art Movement: Exploring the History, Artists, and Artworks
Figurative Art: Understanding, Collecting, and Appreciating the Style
Daily Routines of Famous Artists: Learn from the Masters
Top 12 Controversial Artworks That Changed Art History