Textile kings!

So many companies doing great things with ethnic and recycled textiles at the moment. Hopefully this means, throwaway is on the wain and traditional textiles are being seen in a new light.

  I love seeing how for example Ikat, can be given a new feel by sitting within the aesthetic of designer/brand.

Toast - of course! Ikat with silk velvet, with reindeer fur, with knitted cushions and welsh blankets.

Sparrow & Co - I can't wait for Samuel to launch his on-line store. Really lovely kantha quilts in fresh new colours (I'll be getting one), welsh cushions and rare breed sheepskins. Follow him on Twitter for all the news.

I think Laviva home are magical. Laura has managed to make ethnic textiles fresh and new and relevant to modern homes.

The story behind these A.P.C quilts is just super. Using past season remnants they created modern quilts based on heritage craft. Watch the video here. Somebody sent these to me thinking I would be upset. Not at all - in fact I'm excited by it. These types of quilts have been around for a long time in every quilting country and culture. 

If it means this style of quilt is seen and loved, then I'm all for it.

And of course - Dosa. Indian, African, Mexican etc etc. Wouldn't it be great if Christina designed and made some quilts? Expensive most definately but stunning I'm sure.

All standard techniques,similar fabrics but completely different sensibilities. They'd be very lovely all in a room together wouldn't they?

Just super photographers

I'm looking at photographers at the moment (any excuse) and I've come across two who's work I think is pretty special.

Above is Katya de Grunwald.

and then there is

Brian J Ferry. His work is featured recently in Kinfolk magazine.

Both filter light and compose their images beautifully. They also make you feel like you are actually there inside the photo, not just looking - that's a rare and wonderful skill.

Inspiration - birds

 

When I start a quilt commission, I go in search of inspiration. I don't actually look at fabrics or 'quilting' books, because I think that restricts your creativity and the way in which you 'see'. So I head off to galleries - Miro at the Tate was fabulous, as was the Twombly at Dulwich Picture gallery. I might look at paint swatches or buildings. I might look at gardens and I definitely look at books, just not books on quilting. I have boxes and boxes of tear sheets from magazines,concert programmes and ticket stubs - all of which could trigger something .

For a commission I'm currently working on, I looked at birds. Their colouring is an extraordinary gift from Mother Nature and there is a certain regal quality which totally fits with this client.

I find it's the best way to create the most fantastic and personal ideas, because you're not restricting yourself to what you think you should look at and somehow one's brain produces something completely different (and usually better) than planned.

 

Collaboration

I use the web a lot (probably slightly too much) to see what's happening, new ideas, new exhibitions, artists, photographers and voices.

Two great ideas I discovered this week: A new bi-annual online mag - Kinfolk. A large group of people who love small gatherings, have curated and produced a beautiful magazine on the art of cooking, sharing and enjoying. You can read the online magazine here. 

It's visually stunning and an even better idea.

Then there is The Makers Project, by Jennifer Causey. She is a fantastic photographer from Brooklyn who gets the most beautiful light and depth into her photographs. In her project she interviews and photographs some of the most interesting and creative people in New York.

It's really exciting seeing these ideas and the quality of work coming from individuals and small groups, in what is meant to be a very difficult time for businesses.

The images above are from three of my favourite creators - Elephant Ceramics, Lena Corwin and Saipua.

Need Inspiration?

 

Then choose Trend Tablet by the great and clever Li Edelkoort. I guarantee it will be responsible for many hours on the computer and much thought once off it......

A little inspiration

 

At any time on my screen I have between 20 - 50 images of things I've seen that I find inspiring, clever, lovely etc etc. What's interesting is how when pulled together, they all seem to fit together. That must be the back of my brain trying to force its way through?

 

Studio Inspiration - Barbara Hepworth

You know when you walk into a gallery, or see a painting, or a studio or a pot and your heart flips? It doesn't happen often and I guess it shouldn't because we all interact to 'art' in different ways. 

I live near Dulwich Park which is just beautiful in its own right. Tucked on a curve on the path is a Barbara Hepworth sculpture. I make sure I walk past it every time we are there and it brings great pleasure.

We were in Cornwall last week, so top of the list was her studio and garden. It was a delight to see my mother break into a frenzy - literally filled up by the plants, and the light and the art. For me it was uplifting, inspiring (an overused word I know, although not as bad as 'love, love, love')and a chance to see another way of living.

A couple more pictures of the studio below (notice the painting that is a most excellent starting point for a quilt.

A little inspiration

If I was allowed to, I'd sit all day with pencil, pad and ruler and draw ideas for quilt designs. On Friday, I managed to spend a couple of hours doing just that - happiness indeed. I have all these little sketches in many pocket books, on the back of receipts and even in the back pages of novels. Often inspiration comes from artists (Richard Long on Friday)or nature, or by looking a quilts of old.

It's fairly clear I'm not a fan of contemporary/traditional quilts. I appreciate the skill level required and the preciseness, but I can't see personal expression and the slight 'wabi sabi' needed for me to find it beautiful. 

I love the original, simple and beautiful quilts from Japan, Africa, Gee Bend and Korea for example. Where you can see the hand of the maker and their emotions are expressed through stitching. Bold and modern but very personal.