Admire Santo Cielo's intricately stitched animal portrait masterpieces

In the heart of Berlin, renowned embroidery artist Santo Cielo is set to host a workshop on April 27. Known for his intricate and unique embroidery portraits of pets, people, and fictional characters, Santo Cielo invites enthusiasts to join him in this creative endeavour.

Born Annika Veil in Uruguay, Santo Cielo grew up surrounded by animals on a farm before moving to Montevideo to study industrial design in textiles. His artistic journey began with hand-stitching people and landscapes, documenting his travels during a 2018 tour of Europe in an embroidery journal.

Santo Cielo's work is characterised by his embossed frames and intricate designs, often featuring pearls and slogans. His sense of humor has made him popular, with his viral participation in the #toiletpaperpatternchallenge during the pandemic.

His university project on embroidery and national identity in collaboration with visual artist Stefania Assandri sparked his interest in the medium. Since then, Santo Cielo has taught embroidery in Germany-wide workshops and an online course available on Domestika.

Santo Cielo's embroidery portraits have gained recognition and popularity, with many people commissioning him to create portraits of their pets. His works range from €360 to €620 depending on the size and subject.

The artist's unique approach to embroidery is deeply personal. He describes capturing the essence of pets and people as "making that moment eternal and opening another way of looking at them through touch". This philosophy is evident in his work, which is not just a visual representation but a tangible testament to the bond between people and their pets.

For more information about Santo Cielo's upcoming workshop, visit his website. You can also follow him on Instagram at @santo_cielo. Santo Cielo's embroidery portraits have become his main source of income, allowing him to continue his passion for creating detailed and intricate artwork. Despite living in Berlin apartments without a pet, embroidery has since evolved into a way for him to keep a love of furry friends in his life.

Book your spot for the workshop today and join Santo Cielo in creating a piece of art that captures the essence of a beloved pet or a cherished memory.