I'm sorry it looks like machine embroidery. I don't see all that well even with my glasses. Can someone explain this to me?

It is a form of machine embroidery, but it is done free hand. Machine embroidery is done with a design that was already digitized and programmed into the computer of the machine. Usualy thread painting is done with a design drawn in the fabric.

Sometimes it is just done slightly to enhance a feature (s), other times it can be quite heavy, like an embroidery.

I can tell I'm old. I like the feel and look of hand embroidery. Although of course it takes forever.