On The Shelf The books that inspire some of our favourite writers |
 'Finding your own Visual Language' (ISBN 978-0-9551649-2-7) is written by Leslie Morgan, Jane Dunnewold and Claire Benn (). It's a marvellous book that really does show how to 'see' and how to translate what you see into design and textiles. We asked the writers of this book to choose their own favourite books and you can read about their choices below. | |
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Nancy Crow: Transitions
(ISBN 978-1-933308-03-6) Nancy Crow Published by Breckling Press, web site www.brecklingpress.com Amazon price £28.55 (hardback). As a younger artist viewing exhibitions, I looked for powerful dazzling colour compositions. I wanted to gasp at the wonderful richness of colour placed next to colour. Sometime, over the years, that changed and I found that the pieces that grabbed my heart were the pieces I wanted to stand in front of and cry. My book choice accomplished both my younger desires and my present criteria. I sat down and read it from the first remarkable quote 'I have made more than 300 quilts' to the end describing the joy of 'twirling through my endless stacks of hand dyed fabrics, their colours overwhelming my senses, beckoning me all at once, exploding into my vision'. I cried the whole way through. Much more than a book on how to make quilts, this book is about living, struggle, joy and wonderful colourful quilts. It is an intimate look into the life spanning 1988 to 2005, of the most remarkable Quiltmaker. One of the many memorable quotes from Nancy that lives on my studio wall is 'Talent will not always find its way. Commitment will.' Chosen by Leslie Morgan |
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The Stitches of Creative Embroidery
(ISBN 978-0-08-874011-12) Jaqueline Enthoven Published by Schiffer Craft Amazon price £11.69 (hardback). I've been pondering your request and it was so hard to choose only one book! So, with her indulgence, I've chosen two. The first is a stitch book, which I doubt will ever go out of favor. Jaqueline Enthoven's 'The Stitches of Creative Embroidery', was first published in 1964. I acquired my copy in 1974, when I learned to embroider as a way of de-stressing during my college years. I was immediately hooked. This book endures because the drawings and descriptions of how to do the stitches are clear and easy to understand. Other books may be flashier and more current regarding grounds and embellishment, but no book has ever illustrated individual stitches better than this one. Fortunately for us, original copies are easy to find. I have six! And the title was reprinted in the 1990s - with a new cover, but the same great content. My second favorite is 'The Prophet', by Kahlil Gibran. This poetic classic goes back a long way for me, too. I received my first copy at communion - and I won't even say how long ago that was. It has been an enduring companion all these years. I have used some text in a quilt: 'Your children are not your children. They are Life's longing for itself. They come through you, but not from you - and they live in the house of tomorrow; which you cannot visit, not even in your dreams'. I picked up The Prophet again recently, and re-read sections I'd not read in some time. At the age of 53, I understood everything I read from a new and deeper perspective. Gibran delivers powerful food for thought in this time of strife and unrest. Chosen by Jane Dunnewold |
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All Messed Up: Unpredictable Graphics
(ISBN 978-185669-390-5 ) Anna Gerber Published by Laurence King, web site www.laurenceking.co.uk Amazon price £62.44 (hardback). I love excellent graphic design and I love graphics, fonts and the written word. All Messed Up celebrates the visual power of mistakes in graphic design and explores the important role that mistakes and accidents play in the creative process. I have a high 'be perfect' drive, so this book acts as a timely reminder that perfection isn't necessarily a requirement of good visual art. Chosen by Claire Benn |
 'Thr3fold' is a journal written by Linda and Laura Kemshall and Catherine Nicholls (). It features work from these three amazing quilters and also includes a CD ROM with lots of extra information and some mini-videos. We asked them to tell us about their favourite books and here are the results. | |
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Taking Risks with Watercolour
(ISBN 978-0-00-713326-0) Shirley Trevena Published by Harper Collins, web site www.harpercollins.co.uk Amazon price £11.69 (hardback). I have chosen Shirley Trevena's 'Taking Risks with Watercolour' rather than suggest a quilting book. Shirley's book is visually exciting. The painting style is the most creative use of the medium I have ever seen. Her sense of composition is always unpredictable and her colour sense luscious. No-one could fail to be inspired after seeing her book. Chosen by Linda Kemshall |
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Artist's Colour Manual
(ISBN 978-0-00-714703-8) Simon Jennings Published by Harper Collins, web site www.harpercollins.co.uk Amazon price £10.39 (hardback). Simon Jennings 'Artist's Colour Manual' is full of information and glorious illustrations. It really makes me want to get my paints and dyes out and get cracking.
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Solitary Raven - Selected Writings of Bill Reid
(ISBN 978-1-55054-797-9) Robert Bringhurst (Ed) Published by Douglas and McIntyre, web site www.douglas-mcintyre.com Amazon price £32.18 (hardback). 'Solitary Raven - Selected Writings of Bill Reid', edited by Robert Bringhurst is one I can pick up, read a section and the words never fail to inspire me. It makes me want to be a 'maker of things' as Bill Reid called himself. Chosen by Catherine Nicholls |
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It has been so interesting finding out which books these creative quilters can't live without. In particular, there are more on inspiration and/or paint media than stitch. In conclusion, it is also interesting that their own books are self published. Both are produced to a very professional standard - is this the way that our highly visual books are going? Is this a good thing? Let me () have your thoughts and we'll publish them as letters. | |