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, June 30, 2012

then and now.....




Looking at sketchbook work from way back and comparing it to current work for my embroiderers ledger. In these images there is an obvious difference in terms of colour but looking at the older work, the white, the lace like structure...they both say 'me', Karen. I enjoy the occasional foray into colour, reminding myself that colour actually exits and is valid yet I always go back to white in the end. Diversity....I adore white, others stay away from white. It doesn't matter in the end, creating with white or colour...both are equally worthy.
And talking of white, I worked more on my cloth last night but I had a passing thought that maybe you were bored of seeing that, it's getting a bit monotonous for you, especially those of you who prefer colour. Is it? boring you, becoming monotonous? For today I can vary that, add some colour. It won't always be like that because as I say, white is me, it's what I do....there will be the occasional splash of colour sometimes though.

8 comments:

Jane said...

It could never be monotonous, I always look forward to seeing it. Lovely to see the splashes of colour, but it makes us appreciate the white even more. We wouldn't want to you who you are

deanna7trees said...

never boring. even though it's white, it's still different and interesting. those of us who come here enjoy seeing the YOU that is represented.

Hoola Tallulah said...

It certainly is not boring! It is quite beautiful and I doubt anyone would disagree. I often look at all white embroidery, clothing, homes and feel quite envious, I love the peaceful look of all white. I have tried to be all white and find myself injecting pops of colour, I just can't help myself, I wish I could be more restrained. So no, never ever monotonous, if anything, it is the consistency of all white that holds the appeal.

Rachel said...

Sometimes it's a bit scary to look back on past work, sometimes it's really pleasing, and sometimes it engenders new ideas - all good reasons for the occasional retrospective!

Corinne Loomer said...

Keep the white coming!!! Great art/handwork is never boring!

Barbara said...

It's never boring seeing your your work Karen, be it in white or with splashes of colour... I always used to like colour, big and bold and clashing but now I'm changing my opinion but I think I will always have to add a touch of delicate colour :)
x

ersimarina said...

Never monotonous, never boring, always beautiful and inspiring. It is such a pleasure to see how much you can 'say' with just this one delicate, subtle and exquisite colour.

Magpie's Mumblings said...

Monotonous? NEVER!!!!!! White/colour - they're all fun to see through your eyes.