I know I said yesterday that I would show you my latest paper stitching next time I was here but that is not quite ready yet.
I wasn't intending to post today but I thought I'd share some bits I have been gathering for more paper/cloth/lace compositions.
I hope you're having a lovely Sunday.
Yesterday I spoke about other artist books which were coming together in class. This is one of those or should I say this is a page from one of those. I'm considering this one finished now, complete. I may swap the gold ribbon though, I am thinking about it. I have some 'duck egg' ribbon ordered and when that arrives I will try that there. It's a white ribbon with the slightest hint of blue in it....I think it may live better here than the gold.
There are four other pages which form this book, some of them can be seen here and there are overlays too. It's going to have a beautiful weight to it when all the pages, overlays and layers are joined and placed in the cover.
I've stitched a reverse for the piece with pom poms, this piece. More has been added since yesterday when I took these photos and I'm hoping by tomorrow to have this completely finished. It will look very different by then if all goes to plan.
Then there's this....
Collage in progress, stash building for the ''12 month artist book adventure''.
And.......my first collection for ''studies in stitch'' is coming together. I will show you that later this week.
I love it when something which has been in progress for weeks begins to come together, when all the pieces fit....very satisfying indeed.
I made you a video today....an explanation of what's going on with all the stuff you can see in the images. It's easier to say it than write it.
I've been asked....and asked again.....so here it is, a new class...artist books and collage, paper, cloth, embroidery, beads, buttons, titivation's.......
Artist Books
Begins Monday April 17 for 8 weeks.
Online format.... Private password protected blog.
Join me whilst I create pages of stitch and collage using cloth, embroidered scraps, beads, buttons, lace, pattern and paper. My pages will, at the end of our 8 weeks, be combined in order to create an Artist Book, an Artist Book bursting with samples and inspiration.
Your pages can be added to any book you wish, make your own ledger with fine paper, with hand made paper, with patterned paper or use a special sketchbook, maybe even a story book. These things will be discussed and considered during our 8 weeks of creativity.
***please note. I have only basic book making skills. This is not a book making class in terms of the creation of finely bound sketchbooks, journals or ledgers. My own book will be very basic and simple. I am happy for you to be more 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 large collaged sheets of paper, cloth and embroidery, to illustrate the creation, from those sheets of stitched scraps for your pages and to then share how a page can be adorned in order to enhance the presentation of your sampling.
In addition I will make large sheets of stitched cloth and paper which will ''stand alone'' and not be added to my little Artist book''.
This is not an ''art'' class as you may imagine. There almost certainly will not be paint, pen, drawing, sketching.....my little book will be enhanced purely through the use of stitch.
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 our 8 week programme and beyond.
http://karenannruane.typepad.com/karen_ruane/artist-books/
Please note, certain tasks within this programme require the use of a sewing machine.
Access.... Unlimited. Forever.
Materials required.... List sent upon registration.
***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.
Collage sheets are fast becoming an addiction, as if I need another one. This one you saw the other day has now been torn up and stitches have been added here and there along with beads and other titivation's to create little fragments to finish the second artist book of this series. (I was asked a few times whether the copper in that piece was ribbon. No it isn't, it's embossed on the surface of some paper I bought and tore up to use in the collage)
Also here, some scraps of graph paper with cloth and stitch which you haven't sen before.....
Yesterday I created another cloth and paper collage and I am embroidering into it, treating it like a piece of cloth. The possibilities are endless and it's such a beautiful surface to work into, to handle. I will share that on here when I have worked on it some more.