For centuries women have used cloth as a tool of comfort and as an expression of beauty within their homes. Creating cloth for warmth, cloth for shelter, our female predecessors embellished these linens with hand stitch using laborious and time consuming techniques thereby enhancing the functional beauty of objects which enveloped and protected their families. Inspired by these women I hope my creations pay tribute to and recognise the devotion expressed in cloth by our female ancestors .







''the use of traditional often time consuming process alludes to the devotion of a mother''. c K. A. Ruane 2007







Wednesday, September 10, 2008

Looking back

I have really been missing my embroidery since I started work. Most days I am really busy but at breaks and lunch I am always thinking 'I should be sewing'. In the evenings I do manage to get a little bit done but nowhere near the amount I used to. I want to say thanks to everyone who offered advice and comment about the work life balance in my last post. I have taken it all on board and feel less anxious about the little things...housework!!!
Anyway, I think I have been over analysing what I do. Don't ask me why, but I feel the need to begin more research for a new body of work. Because of that I got out the research that has fed what I do now, the wrapping cloths. Those of you who have been coming here a while will know about the connection of domestitcity, motherhood, utility etc in what I do. That's why in these pictures you will see samples which have blanket in them


I think I will always want to work and focus on those themes, but perhaps use a different starting point. It may be that I only come up with a new surface pattern for embellishment or I could come up with a whole new product, who knows. The only certainty is that I am determined to start fresh research.


Now for the hard part, it has been so long since I picked up a pencil or paint brush that I am slightly nervous. There are other techniques I could use like I have in these samples, collage, pin pricking etc so I think I will try and combine these with painting and drawing.

In the meantime, my crazy patchork cloth is nearly finished. Once that is done I will start my new research, posting pictures here for you all to critique. Please be gentle with me......and wish me luck!!
Oh and I nearly forgot. I will be guest writing for another blog for a few weeks, you can find my first effort here, check it out!

11 comments:

Gina said...

It all sounds fascinating Karen. Pleased you are able to prioritise and ignore the housework.
x

Threadspider said...

You must be entering a new creative phase. Good on you. Sometimes the pressures of life really goad that creativity.And congrats on the guest blog-it looks like fun.

Victoria said...

The start of a new creative phase is so exciting and full of possibilities! Congrats on the guest blog spot!

Ulla said...

Congratulations on the guest blog, will it be every Monday now?
Your new samples look very promising.

Michala Gyetvai (Kayla coo) said...

I love the pin prick designs.
interesting when mixed with the stitches.

Jane said...

these samples look so texturally satisfying. Fascinating. Of to look at the guest spot now

Needles said...

The housework has never ever gone away. I've been trying for 15 years and it still is there, still the same amount undone, and no one died and I only cried once or twice.

It is going to take a few weeks to feel like you are in the groove again. Be easy on yourself. You'll find the right balance for you.

jude said...

the blanket touch is interesting.

Jacky said...

Hi Karen, I am so excited about this new work you embarking on...loving the snippets you have shown so far, especially the pin pricking and the blanketing.

Sara lechner said...

I love all this, Karen, I'm eager to see more...

calamity kim said...

love what you do! I read your guest spot and agree that Jude and Thread spider slay me with their style and execution of stitches. sigh...it's all so beautiful