Tome, Tome, Tome

Have you ever worked on a project and reached a "sweet spot" almost by accident? When the piece turned out even better than you expected? Or maybe it was just a little remnant that you almost ignored and it became THE one?
I was practising  with some cotton organdie - thinking that these were definitely PRACTISE pieces and that I'd continue on with the 'good" stuff in a bit.....
and WOW ! I love that fabric! It is crisp, yet has a gentle drape without being stiff - mind you, its the good quality organdie - not the cheap stuff and so hard to find....I had bought a metre a while back and now that's its almost gone, I'm starting to panic if there's no more at my favourite store...

I tore the fabric into strips and began with some mark making - using Dye Na Flow paints - they don't change the hand of the fabric and are easy to dilute and can be heat set - perfect for this work. I also added some finer lines with gel pens - a little asemic writing!

I folded the strip, intending to press the folds flat into pages as you might find in a book, but stopped myself in time and fell in love with the gentle folds. I set up the table with a paper drape and take what I like to call my "glamour" shots -

The next strip I tore from the opposite end of the fabric and because it wasn't cut straight off the bolt, ended up with a long triangle - not one to waste, I folded it lengthwise and dipped the fold into Old Brass Dye Na Flow and let it dry in place. I then folded it up and stitched down the centre.....

I love the centre line where the fold was and think one of the best qualities is the way I can manipulate the curves of the book and move it into slight variations....

The third tome is  slight variation on the other two - it hasn't been stitch down yet, one corner of folds is held together by a small clip - I'm not certain how I'll manipulate it yet but I also like the "rosette" quality of the middle photo. I'd also like to add some stitching, perhaps in a fine black thread. the nice part of the series, even though they are so simple and basic - there's endless variations.....

So, there we go...more ideas for consideration in my Iceland Narrative - BTW, have you signed up yet? Just hit the top right button on the side bar and see what awaits you....

Making Tomes....

I've spent the last few days experimenting and trying out ideas to prepare for my Iceland residency (more about that later) and since the residency is titled (my working/focus title) A Textile Narrative, I've been playing about with some book formats....

I started by cutting random triangles into some painted paper -a large 12" x 18" sheet of newprint - and then folded it into half one way and quarters in the other direction. You can see a how to here:
https://www.pinterest.ca/pin/314689092708144588/

I didn't worry too much about where the triangles were placed and was pleasantly surprised and the windows that appeared in an intriguing way.

The next one was a large sheet of newsprint where I had glued down strips of marked fabric ( I should have taken a photo of that). I tore the strips after the glue dried and and stitched them together in a long, long strip, adding free motion stitching along the way....

I then folded the strip up as an accordion fold, playing around with the length between each fold....

 

I tried to take some "glamour" shots on the slate beside our wood stove.....I loved the way the little book stood up but obviously need to work on the photography! But as a trial I think it was entirely successful!

Right now my studio is a mess as kitchen renovations have pushed boxes and shelving into my precious space....but that's another story! I noticed a rumbled strip of cloth on the table, ironed it flat and then folded it with an accordion fold and stitched the folds together on one end..... viola! It's my "Teeny Tiny Textile Tome" - a little more than 1" high!

Lastly I glued some painted papers into one long strip and folded it into even lengths. Then started cutting out windows - starting with large ones and getting progressively smaller. Again, I'm happy with the results - although this one rather predictable - it certainly offers up further explorations....

And I spent last night watching YouTube videos on photographing 3D objects....

Now here's some fun! Would you like to come along (in a virtual way) on my Iceland Residency? I'm planning an exclusive opportunity to share my adventure through videos, blog posts, photos and much more. I'd love it if you would consider being a Sponsor for my Residency, there are three levels of support, starting at just $15.00 CDN. You can read all the details here:
https://www.susanpm.com/an-iceland-narrative/

Þakka þér fyrir (that's Thank You in Icelandic)

It's Been All Black and White....

Even with lots of visitors and fun this summer, I've managed to get a fair bit of work done - some of it the essential paperwork but also the essential art work! I've made some more books and found that to be a very welcome creative release - make one that leads to another and another and another - just the way it goes....

I made several small-ish books that were totally fun and then a few more serious....I had some beautiful linen that came from a thrift store or something - it has the most luscious drape and hand to it. I knew I want to use it for something special and I've dyed some and also painted on some of it - just big circles....then I added torn strips of shibori that really seemed to echo the lines so nicely.

Tide Lines

Tide Lines - unfolded

The long strips were pressed on the fold lines and the book is bound only in the centre, then the folds/pages come into the centre.
I'm so pleased that Tide Lines will be part of the Victoria Arts Council  - Celebration of BC Culture Days to be held at the Cedar Hill Arts Centre, September 20-30, 3220 Cedar Hill Road. Please stop by for viewing!

Ready for My Closeup!

I'm in the midst of finishing some fabric books to enter in a couple of upcoming exhibitions. I took the last stitches in one that I've titled "Tide Charts" and since its so very long, traditional art photography just wasn't going to work.
So I drove down to the far end of South Pender Island and got set up for what I'm calling "glamour shots", basically photographing in unique situation which I hope will showcase my books to their best advantage......I have a lot to learn! With all the wildfires here in the province, its been so smoky and overcast, not nice to be outside at all.....at the beach it was like a fog, I was barely able to see more than a couple hundred yards in any direction. But being overcast meant there were fewer shadows to contend with.

"Tide Charts" was placed on rocks, on the shoreline, on logs and more. No one picture was totally outstanding but I think a couple of them captured what I envisioned.

Not a good idea to photograph straight on!

Not enough contrast on the log....

Not bad, but fighting with the big rocks....

Best one, I like that the flow is mirrored in the seaweed.

Totally lost - shipwreck! 

I also took some of my other books and was pleased with those photos....its an entirely different approach than taking pictures on my design wall....sitting on the ground looking up at them, making certain the grass, bugs, and leaves are out of the way or not! At least my subjects were still and not jumping about or flying off!

Good value contrast

I managed to get some of the water behind!

 

All in all, it was good fun, and I learned a lot - plus I'm so happy to live where I can go out and do things like this. The air quality is supposed to improve and I pray that the fire crews will ahve rain soon.