'If you make happiness your goal, then you're not going to get to it… The goal should be an interesting life."

Dorothy Rowe

Tuesday 12 August 2008

This is probably the oddest book I have ever made...

I mentioned in a previous post that at the exhibition in the ‘Discovery Centre’ I was struck by the ceramics of Tamsin van Essen. I think I have also mentioned that, as part of the preparation for the Creative Textiles course I am starting next month we have to keep a sketchbook – and part of that sketchbook has to be a study of two artists whose work we have seen. [My problem has been sticking to two...]

One of the pots which struck me at the exhibition was this one:

http://www.saatchi-gallery.co.uk/yourgallery/artist_profile/Tamsin+Van%20Essen/30521.html

and scroll down to the white pot. I am often drawn to achromatic pieces, although I usually use colour in my own work. [Preferably lots of colour.]



When I do use an achromatic scheme it tends to be black and silver or gold. [If that counts as achromatic.] The only time I tried a cream piece I got so bored I had to add some blue.

But - I have been exploring different ways of attaching one piece of white paper to another – and the book is the result. [The pliers in the photos are there to hold the pages open.]

This is the front cover - staples. The whole thing is held together with string, and sewing that through 8 layers of watercolour paper wasn't easy, even with prepunched holes. Hence the pliers ...















More staples.






Buttons.















Duck tape. I really like this one.










Decorative brads. I knew I'd find a use for them eventually.













Eyelets. The string is for decoration only.













Cross stitch. Regular readers will know that I loathe and abhor cross stitch, but I can manage four.










French knots. Purists will notice that these are not well made French knots - if I made them properly the paper tore. Hence the little tadpole tails.





I am going to make something similar using fabric. I am not sure if this will lead into anything in embroidery – perhaps something 3D? - but I am having fun.


Although I find it hard to believe, this is my hundredth post – and coincidentally Mary has kindly given me an ‘I love your blog’ award.

The rules of the award are:



Put the logo on your blog.

Link the person you received your award from.

Nominate at least 7 other blogs.

Put links of those blogs on yours.Leave a message on the blogs of those you’ve nominated

Well – Mary’s excellent blog is

http://maryandrews.blogspot.com/

so I’ve managed two of the five. I am still pondering on who else to lumber – er -nominate – so watch this space!


2 comments:

Carol said...

I like your book - very unusual but it's fun and has lots of potential.

jackie said...

Your book looks fun. I went to the Discovery Centre for the Craft Council exhibition last week. I really enjoyed it - I love the idea of a free gallery with some top class exhibitions, but I don't have to use it as a library as well.