Karen Ruane

2023 Artist Books.

It's almost three years to the day since I held my last Artist Book class.

I reckon it's time for another, for more exploration, a refresh maybe.

Details below.

***please note, this class is completely seperate from my monthly subscription online learning. This is a 'one off' stand alone class.***

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2023 Artist Books.

Begins Tuesday March 7 2023 for 8 weeks.

Join me in my first artist book gathering for three years.

Always a popular class, this eight week learning programme will hopefully inspire you to new ways with pages, new approaches to artist journals, to the creation of unique books in which to record your thoughts, your stitches, your sampling, your explorations.

Also included, live Zoom discussion, feedback and overview in our final week, times scheduled to cover all time zones.

Think of this as a 'refresh' if you have previously taken an Artist Book class in any setting.

***please note. I have only basic book making skills. I extend these skills by 'testing' various forms of page binding using paper and perhaps cloth too. I am happy for you to be experimental and adventurous with your own books. I encourage the pushing of boundaries, the exploration of idea and thought.***

My role will be to demonstrate the creation of collaged, textured and folded pages of paper and embroidery, to illustrate the creation of stitched scraps for pages and to then share how a page can be adorned in order to enhance the presentation of your sampling before investigating and testing ideas for finished book forms. This in turn will lead to the creation of unique ''artist books'', a library of ideas and inspiration and a valuable resource for the future in terms of design and the extension of embroidery sampling.

In addition to a private class blog where all video and images will be hosted you will have access to a public, invitation only Flickr group for class members only with a private discussion area where you can upload images, view images from other group members and participate in discussion re the course, suppliers, relevant exhibitions, artists etc. You will also be free to begin your own discussion topics.

Images of my own ''Artist Books'' can be seen here. From viewing these images you will gain an appreciation of what can be achieved during this programme and beyond.

karenannruane.typepad.com/karen_ruane/artist-books

No deadlines. Access to all learning resources is pemanent......forever.
Work at your own pace.

***No prerequisites, suitable for beginners and the more experienced.***

You do not need to have participated in any of my previous online learning programmes to take part in this class.

A welcome mail detailing suggested supplies for this course will be sent out within 24 hours of registration.

Register here.

resources

A question I am often asked is 'what do you do with the pieces you create'.

I rarely sell my work, the act of making gives me a connection to my pieces which I find hard to sever.

I am able occasionally to part with some pieces if they start life as 'something to sell' but otherwise I keep them.

(something to sell doesn't mean less thought, less time spent, less quality, it just means I am mentally prepared from the start to part with the piece)

That isn't the end of them though, they tend not to languish unnoticed, they are invaluable as resources for my teaching as illustrated here.

These pieces have been laid out, visible to me, for the past few days as instruction and inspiration for 'a sampler's cloth'.

This new online learning programme begins in just over a week and the first videos were made this morning.

I am very excited!!

sampling for a sampler's cloth

Remember I said here that I was going to put flowers on this sample? Well here they are.

There is also a little applique and some small cut outs, token like pieces which have been embellished with hand stitch.

The base of this piece is a vintage hankie and it has the feel of a vintage nightgown when I am stitching into it, it's beautifully soft.

As I said last time you saw this, the extra edge has been machine basted around the outside to allow for damp stretching. That will be removed when the piece is finished.

This sample is practice for my new class 'a sampler's cloth' which will be all things hand embroidery.

I am going away tomorrow and won't be back for ten days or so.

I'm visiting Stanley and spending time in London.

There will be cake and there will be shopping.

Registration for a samplers cloth will remain open here.

 

 

surface design

I'm a little later than normal today. My schedule is a little upside down at the moment because of family stuff but I made it here in the end.

This work is progress from 'creative portfolio'.

There is appliqued kid leather, stitching on paper, gimp, ribbon and hand made ball buttons. ( I am in love with those and can't stop making them!)

These compositions, these design ideas are very satisfying to create and extend.

There will be more of this.

a little glimpse into class

It's a little hectic here at the moment but I thought I would let you have a glimpse of what's happening in class.

We are at the very early stages here and I am still trying very hard to channel my inner Lacroix.

Let's hope I get there before class finishes!

(it's not too late to join us, just go here to read more)

London shopping and other news

Hi all, I'm back. Did you miss me?

These are a few of the things I bought whilst I was in London over the past eight days.

I didn't really have much time for shopping and you will hear about that further down in this post, saving the best until last.

Apart from the 'other thing', my new class, 'creative portfolio' is high on my list of things to get excited about. These colours, the ones above will hopefully have a prominent place in my sampling for my personal collection created during those eight weeks.

Class begins in just under two weeks.... you can read more about it and register here.

While I am here, could I ask that you please consider subscribing to this blog using the Feedblitz link on the right hand side of this page (just above the video).

My old subscription feed has closed down and it would really help me and this little blog if you subscribed...thank you!! (it won't cost you anything x)

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Now for the big announcement.

Stanley Edward Gordon arrived on Monday January 17 at 6.55 am weighing a whopping 9lb 14oz.  (originally they gave his weight as 9lb 9oz but it was revised upwards).

My heart is stolen.......

asking questions

More stash images today. This helps me, it allows me to take stock and assess. I'm struggling to really concentrate hard at the moment because I am waiting for the phone call..... doing this allows for some clarity.

(for those of you who don't know, my daughter and future daughter in law are due to have babies any day. In the case of my daughter that will mean a quick dash to London....I'm on pins)

First of all though, embroidery.

Why the huge investment in my stash? Why the sampling of stitches and composition?

It's because I will be working outside of my comfort zone in terms of colour and clashing during 'creative portfolio' so not only am I easing myself in gently I am assessing what I can and can't live with.

The first decision in that regard has already been made. I won't be using the mirror trim. It's too much for me. I am however considering removing the mirrors and working with what's left.

The other dilemma I have at this moment, right now is to not get too far ahead before class begins so I am going to knit for a couple of days.

More stash building below.

(if you are registered for 'creative portfolio' you should have received a short video from me this morning. If you haven't received that can you please let me know)

gathering.......continued.

Gathering continues here, collecting and recording pieces to use in 'creative portfolio', to inspire, to use alongside new work, for these pieces to become an integral part of my design work.

There are more little collections here and here, the same theme, cohesive collections, at least I hope so, just as I hope I can do all these gorgeous pieces justice when I begin my work.

(Only the ribbon is new here, the fabric swatches and paper piece have been in my 'stash' for a long time as have most of the pieces in the other collections mentioned above.)

in search of bling

There isn't much embroidery happening here at the moment which is a good thing. It's a good thing because I am itching to play with the trimmings and adornments I am gathering for my next class 'creative portfolio'. If I set off too early I am likely to be finished before class even starts.

For now I am getting a lot of pleasure from the gathering, from looking in boxes which haven't been opened for an age, from searching through fabrics for the little pieces which will fit with my theme and from gathering these together and appreciating the potential.

The other reason for a lack of embroidery is knitting. I am almost finished with the second of two pieces I am creating for the little souls I am dying to meet next month. Once the parents have seen those I will share with you I promise.

 

 

gathering, sampling, questioning,

I hope you all had a wonderful festive season. It was quite quiet here, we are mostly hunkered down waiting for babies and I have got sparks coming off my knitting needles! such is my urge to get these things finished.

Both babies are due in January so I am keeping that month commitment free, that doesn't mean I can't play though or order inspirational things to inform my work for the new class 'creative portfolio' which begins in February.

I have copied more information about that class at the foot of this post but meantime take a look at the first things to arrive from my latest shopping spree and how I have used those for sampling, sampling which isn't really focused at the moment, it's a getting to know you and a getting my brain ticking exercise!

Begins Friday February 4th 2022 for 8 weeks.

Suitable for the beginner and the more experienced embroiderer.

You do not need to have participated in any of my previous online learning programmes to take part in this online learning programme.

Content suitable for those with a love of cloth, a preference for paper based work or both.

During the course of this 8 week learning experience we will examine the basics of design for embroidery, recording our sampling, our colour choices, our thread and fabric selections in a creative portfolio which will be an invaluable tool for future work and a unique resource for your creative library.

Think play, think small stitched samples, think colour studies, think fabric swatches, think presentation, think adorning pages, think 'artist book' if that is your preference over portfolio.

Instruction and demonstration will be provided regarding the creation of both a paper based presentation portfolio and a cloth based presentation portfolio.

Included in our timetable will be space for live demonstrations using Zoom along with the provision of one to one, face to face zoom sessions for anyone who would like guidance, support, an appraisal of works in progress or even just a chat.

The timing of Zoom sessions will be finalised in the early weeks of class once I have ascertained the needs of the group.

Participation in any Zoom session is entirely voluntary. Should you not wish to participate in that aspect of the course, demonstrations which take place on Zoom will be available to you for private viewing.

All video and instruction will be hosted on a private blog.

Access is also provided to a private online image sharing group which also allows for group discussion.

Register here.