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







Friday, October 16, 2009

Fragment

Almost a week since my last post! I really hadn't intended to be away this long but I think it's been a good thing. Things are a lot calmer somehow, not quite finished with the upheaval but light at the end of the tunnel. Thanks to all of you who have been asking how I'm feeling. Just a cold thankfully nothing more sinister. Actually I think someone must have slipped something in my coffee as wardrobes were meant to be completed today, the end of intruders in my house, yet when they told me they had to come back on monday I was calm. No psychotic murderous outburst just a calmy said ''no problem it's fine''. I'm also back to relaxing with Elvis and a little Barry White thrown in. This being rational, calm, cool under pressure is quite scary really, can't imagine where this person has come from. Then it dawned on me, it must be because I have been in that embrioidery corner again and actually made some progress. Embroidery.......the key to world peace. So here is a piece for Sparkle, what do you think? I have decided to call these pieces ''fragments'', it seems apt.



These pieces will be sold as they are, no frames, no canvas, merely embroidered fragments to do with what you want, (floor cleaning, pot washing, bathroom wiping, you decide) at the end of the day if nobody wants them I am more than happy to keep them and eat stale bread, they do say impoverished artists are more creative. Then there are these, buttons, made in a similar style and obviously inspired by the above.



O.K. so I have only got 4 buttons, 1 fragment, a nearly finished wrapping cloth, 5 unfinished pincushions and a swaddling band that will be lucky if it's finished before the next millenium but I really do feel more positive, like I am getting somewhere. I am really excited about the house taking shape and I desperately want to give you a few glimpses and I promise I will when it's over and done with. No work now until next wednesday.................did you hear me scream in excitement??????? Have a fantastic weekend. x

21 comments:

Anonymous said...

The buttons and the fragments look great and at the rate you are working now and the next 5 days off you will have the swaddling band completed no problem.
Have a great weekend
Jill

Jackie said...

You have more ready for Sparkle than I do.
The fragment makes me want to turn it into a collar or neck piece . Its beautiful.

Cerejeira said...

Beautiful and exciting!!!

Lajoni said...

Your work as always intrigues me I would love to watch you, as the concept of your type of work baffles and amazes me as I have no idea how you do what you do ....I only know I love it....those buttons are just gorgeous xx

Claire said...

Ohhh, you're a better woman than me... creating during renovation. I can't wait to see the 'glimpses' of your space.

Talking of glimpses, I lovvvve the yellow bits on the fragment (excellent resolution of your 'display' dilema by the way).

I've been embroidering with cotton gauze on a linen ground in the last week I was just starting to lose steam, but you've inspired me to get playful and start getting some texture going.

Jane said...

You'll be ok, it will all come together and you will have just what you need to take with you. The fragments piece is beautiful,I really like the way you get an intriguing flash of colour coming through

Ingrid said...

Gorgeous Karen,the fragment and the buttons!

Elizabeth said...

You made me laugh again Karen, you probably have no idea how much fun it is to read your stories. Just love to see your embroidery and read your thoughts.

A few weeks back Julie wrote that writing is the new praying. My reply was that embroidery is the new way of praying and now your story. You just proof my point.

Have a lovely weekend.

jennyflowerblue said...

Fragment- really rather nice, and like Jackie says it seems to want to be worn.

Gayle said...

Beautiful, beautiful, beautiful!!! Very natural and organic! I love it!

Gina said...

I love your fragment piece - so textural.

Janice / Dancing with Sunflowers said...

I would just have a fragment to touch. Second photo especially makes me want to do that. Beautiful work as always. Hope the house is very soon yours again and looking as you want it. I had workmen here nearly every day for 5 months at the beginning of the year / end of last!
Janice.

Chrissie said...

I love this piece - I think it's what I might see if I went snorkelling on a coral reef. Hope that's a nice thing to say - it was meant to be!

Anonymous said...

I love your fragments - they remind me of rockpools and coral. Wishing you all the best for Monday. I hope you get your peace back soon.

JP said...

just love the fragments - are they planned or organic and just go?!!!!!!! - ijust find your textures amazing

Threadspider said...

Little pieces of pure inspiration.

qwerty said...

That Fragment is both beautiful and inspiring - I wish I could take a workshop with you!!

CJ STITCHING AND BLOOMS said...

Good Day Karen, Your fragments and buttons are always very inspiring and the fragments to me looks like a beautiful coral reef. I look forward to seeing the finish work of art. Hugs Judy

Victoria said...

Beautiful and inspiring as always! Love the fragments, and love that you will sell them unframed, unmounted. I think tactile objects work best when they can be moved, and handled.

Asphodèle said...

I have just looked your photos on Flickr. I' m very impressed by your work, thanks for your art.
Cathy

Jacky said...

Your fragment piece is divine...I love those nobbly things (great descriptive embroidery term...I dont know what they're called), they look great in the muslin. Such a textural piece!
The buttons are gorgeous too...very contemporary!

Jacky xox