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, October 15, 2008

Bravery in the extreme & 11 of my favourite things

Boy oh boy, must I be feeling off colour today! I can't believe I am laying out my sketching here for the whole world to see. Trust me when I say that there are certain people out there who would not believe it in a million years! Well here it is, (hides behind the sofa!). I'm afraid I had to scan these images, just couldn't get them right with a camera so the quality is not the best. These are prelim examinations of my new theme, swaddling bands. I absolutely agree with a comment on my last post from needles, where she says that working (a proper grown up, tax paying kind of work) has somehow re-invigorated my creativity. I definitely have a new focus anyway, which in itself is very exciting.


Following on from this and bearing in mind that week nights I am only physically capable of easy, non challenging activity, I have started to sample another band. It is in the very early stages but can you see the connection with the sketches? And please don't faint, that is red you see before you! I am hoping to bring in more fabrics that for me represent the domestic. By the weeknd I should have made more progress with this so stay tuned!




Finally, for today, I am going to share with you 11 of my favourite things courtesy of 'mass' tagging by the lovely Kaija from Paperiaarre.


Clothes Shop. I really dislike clothes shopping. If I have to it's usually M&S, most things under one roof and all that.



Furniture Shop. In my dreams I buy all my furniture and soft furnishings from Designers Guild, reality is a litle different, IKEA all the way.



City. London London London



Drink. Coffee, I'm a real addict!



Music. Lots of varied stuff but my all time favourite is Motown, The Supremes, The Four Tops etc. etc.



T.V. Being an information junkie, (or is it nosey??) it has to be the news.



Movies. Of all time.....it has to be Lady Sings the Blues. More recently....Leon, that little girls eyes...



Workout. What does that mean?



Pastry. I absolutely adore christmas cake...have you made it yet mum???



Coffee. Strong and Black.



Sweets. Lemon Bob Bons....yummy!!
Now consider yourselves tagged!

8 comments:

Anonymous said...

Karen this is your mum, and of course the cake is made!love the work, as usual i am on schedule with my preparations for christmas. Keep up the good work at your end. love you.

Gayle said...

It is amazing watching the direction your art is taking...so creative!

Anonymous said...

well I think your sketches are quite good - they get the idea across - but considering i cant draw myself that might not mean much to you:). like the red checks - very domestic

Michala Gyetvai (Kayla coo) said...

I love the french ticking fabric.
Your sketches look great to me.x

Gina said...

I think there's nothing wrong with your sketching Karen and I love the introduction of red... very exciting.

jude said...

first off your sketches are fabulous and i am glad you are sharing. and there is definitely new energy in your work.

Anonymous said...

I love the sketches and think you should continue them, I would be happy to have a collection of them. Also I made some christmas cake but burnt it so have to eat the inside so will bring some up at some point. I like what your'e doing with the gingham, you beat me to it. I forgot I had it

Anonymous said...

Karen congratulatios.Good work. i love Londooooon too. Fantastic city!