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







Saturday, January 8, 2011

black fine liner pen....

Vivienne Westwood inspired sketchbook pages today. Not as fussy or extended as the previous works, more a Vivienne Westwood ''edges'' inspired spread. I have always had a thing about edges, finishes, fastenings and this lady I would say has that skill pretty much perfected, well definitely perfected actually. All the images in this book are of finished garments, finished shoes, bags etc but I was constantly gazing at the finishing. The zips, the studs, the ragged edges, the loose threads. I have tried to capture a tiny part of that here and although I would definitely say that my work is the total opposite of hers both in skill and finish I am certain that these little doodles will influence my edges at some point.
This post will probably be the last sketchbook inspired story for a little while. I am conscious that this is an embroidery blog and my fingers are conscious that I haven't done any of that for a while. I am not going to consign the sketchbook to history though, my plan is to try and figure out how to create a ''sketchbook'' section on here and add to it from time to time, As for the embroidery, not sure really. I have a hankering to work on my throw yet I also have a hankering to do more of the little sample from my last design sheet. I think I may put the kettle on, take some time in my quiet house, (everyone else is out) and spend some peacefull thinking time.
Tomorrow I answer e-mails.....promise...

16 comments:

Elizabeth said...

Too bad that you put your sketchbook aside for now because it fascinates me.
Hope you enjoy your tea and needle, a perfect combination.

Anonymous said...

I just LOVE your sketches!Looking at them is inspiring.
I wish I have 1/4 of your skill...

I guess (and hope) you are going to have a great year 2011, Karen :)

Jane said...

This is fascinating. You ought to keep this up, it seems as if this could be an inspiration for you embroidery. Could work well together
Enjoy your quiet time. I've been down to one child here for most of the last week, and I can't believe how quiet it's been. Three hours, and the peace will be shattered!

jill said...

I really like these sketches, well done.

Anonymous said...

Nice use of the pen.
I've really enjoyed seeing the little bit of sketchbook work you've shown and would love to see more of it.

vintagerockchick said...

You could link to the Sketchbook Challenge blog, and you could post your sketching pics on Flickr. (Or did I say that before. If so, I'm sorry for nagging) x

Jan said...

What a talented Lady you are ,you really should be embroidering Kate's wedding dress ..love Jan xx

Suztats said...

I think these sketches are fabulous!

jude said...

oh but i love these....

Jacky said...

Enjoying your sketching Karen... inspiring pages!

Jacky xox

Beacee said...

I always find your embroidery fascinating and the sketchbook pages are beautiful - so inspiring, thank you for sharing your work.

MarieE said...

Keep sharing the sketches!! I think it's an important part of process. Hopefully it'll inspire more embroiderers to try out their own designs instead of relying on patterns.

Diane Kelsey said...

You should join the sketchbook challenge. See the button on by blog for further info. Wonderful work in your books.

Tammie Lee said...

my goodness, you are a talented sketcher!

Brenhargood said...

Just want to add how much I love your sketches. I am studying City & Guilds Machine Embroidery Level 3 and you will know how much design work we have to do, never mind the stitching but it's the design work that inspires my stitching. Love your embroidery and the colours you use.
Brenda

Anonymous said...

I remember visiting a Vivienne Westwood exhibition - I can quite see how inspiring she can be!