Featured Artist David Poyant

Enjoy the stunning portfolio of artist David Poyant, who threads a new chapter in contemporary embroidery art. View more by visiting his website.

 

 

I never set out to be an artist. In fact, for most of my life, I was a cobbler and worked in the orthotics and retail industries here in New Bedford, Massachusetts. I didn’t pick up a needle and thread until after I retired at 66. What started as a way to honor my late mother—who always had a sewing project going—quickly became something much bigger.

 

 

I work entirely by hand, one stitch at a time. My process blends modern tools with traditional craft. I use artificial intelligence to help create conceptual images, but every piece is stitched by me on artist’s canvas, often using hundreds of thread colors. A single work can take 60 hours or more. My subjects range from surreal dreamscapes to wildlife portraits, landscapes, and personal memories.

 

 

In just a few years, this passion has taken me further than I ever imagined. I was honored to receive a $5,000 Massachusetts Cultural Council Grant in 2024 for my embroidery art. My work earned the Exhibizone Grand Prize in A Celebration of Art Without Limits, as well as awards like The New Protagonist of Contemporary Art in Saint-Paul de Vence, France, and the International Prize Cote d’Azur at the Musée National du Sport in Nice. I’ve also taken first place at the Venus Art Awards in Italy and received recognition from the Circle Foundation for the Arts in New York.

 

 

My embroidery has been shown at the New Bedford Art Museum, Gallery X, The Narrows, The Art Loft, and The Collaborative, and I’ve been a featured artist at The Wamsutta Club. My work has been covered by The Boston Globe, New Bedford Light, New Bedford Standard Times, and Artsy Shark, and featured on ArtTALKS.

 

 

At 70, I’m still exploring what’s possible with thread and fabric. I see embroidery as more than just craft. It’s storytelling. Each piece reflects patience, intention, and a desire to connect with viewers on an emotional level.

 

 

Whether it’s a majestic black crowned crane in flight or a quiet moment of a child reading in the branches of a tree, my goal is to create work that invites people to pause and see the beauty in the smallest details.

 

 

If my story says anything, it’s that it’s never too late to start. Every thread I stitch is part of my own journey—a reminder that the next chapter can begin at any age. Art has the power to transform not just fabric, but lives.

 

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