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, June 24, 2011

sampling for number four...


This is not number four, just a process I am going through to arrive at a final decision on where to start with number four. Looking at my vintage stash, looking at shapes and lace patterns. This piece, the pricking and stitching that is already done doesn't tick any boxes for me at all but it has informed what will come next. I have a firmer plan, an improved idea in mind.


For me this looks too contrived, it doesn't flow as I want it to. I could keep going and add to it but once I have in my mind that something hasn't worked then I can't ever seem to get past that, flogging a dead horse so to speak. Of course, it hasn't been wasted time as it has fed the next stage, that's what sampling is for isn't it.
I think I have been here every day this week.....you can tell that my collection has taken a back seat. I really must remedy that when I get back from London. For now though I have five more days to work on paper before I go. The weekend looks exciting.....inspirational too if I am lucky!

12 comments:

Jane said...

The whole process, from thought to finish product, is fascinating

Joanna said...

I quite like your dead horse, especially with the lace next to it, with perhaps just a little more blue on it

jude said...

i love the paper against the cloth.

deanna7trees said...

that piece of lace in the first photo is exquisite.

Anonymous said...

The contrast of French Knots with holes is particularly effective. I'm looking forward to seeing more of it!

Anonymous said...

I love the scalloped napkin edges in the second photo and the spiders webs on the stiff paper. Lookign forward to seeing where these are leading you!

Anonymous said...

I really like the effect of pricking holes from the back and the front, together on the same piece.

Carol Q said...

who would have thought stitching on paper could look so beautiful and textural just by turning the paper upside down?

Flaming Nora said...

I can see what you mean, but its a very interesting beginning. It kind of looks like a beach scene, the shapes seem like mussel shells especially the cut away one I think its just the play of light on the silk coupled with the blue printing. Also the fact they are arranged in a sort of star fish shape. Oh and the swirly eddies of water rushing in and out and in and out. Oh and the little barnacles clinging on for dear life.
Don't loose that quality in your reworking, its making me very happy.
Even though its probably all about something else in real life!

**EYE-SNACKS** said...

Karen,it looks great,i know how you have to concentrate to put those wholes in that paper.
But again it's really gorgeous!

Linda Carole Bloom said...

I really like the way you let us follow your thoughts - feels like we are part of the creative process with you. Love the lace in the first photo! If you have time to visit, I posted some photos of my stash of vintage needlework - out of those cabinets you want to rummage through! Love, Linda

Lois Evensen said...

I love watching your progress and the process through which you develop your work. So very cool!