Category: Book Making

I’m pleased to say that I did make my postcards, it felt like a small positive creative move. I’m still engaged by the standard paper shapes that we have around us and in the small differences that each culture has. Something to develop further.

---

---

Over the years I have chanced across words that have lead me down a path into a new body of work.

Recently I have pursued the quote, “Vulnerable to Alteration” from the book ‘400 Years of Fashion’ from the V&A Museum, and here I am again following a similar train of thought.

For instance,

“Evidence of a thrifty use of a costly material” from ‘Cloth that Changed the World’

“The Alteration is a part of its history”  Kate Strachen

“None of the full sized dresses dating from 1750 to 1770, is in its original condition”, ‘400 Years of Fashion ‘V&A Museum.

Whilst these quotes appear similar to the original one that I honed in on, I find that I am of an age when ‘Adapt and Alter’ are crucial in order to lead a productive and creative life. Adapting to different circumstances does seem to come first and then there is the need to find a way to navigate forwards.

So I have ideas to pursue, ‘costly material’ could be translated into the printing plate, which has taken time to design and make, the ‘part of its history’ could relate to changes in design or to being cut up. The analogies could go on!

So within my creative project, I am looking for alterations in book designs and structures and how they change the books perspective, size and shape do matter!

---

I worked out this apparently simple book format, there wasn’t a back or a front, both sides had equal status, I adapted a printing plate to fit and printed onto grey and silver tissue paper, the pages are Hosho paper

Then I decided to alter the sizes and the type of paper, this book is made from Indian Cotton rag paper, Again I repurposed a printing plate.

---

And there is still one more to be made in a different size. But its far too cold to work in the studio! and I shall reveal that one next time!

---

Lately life has been a bit complicated and not quite under my control, but that’s OK, however it has meant that time in the studio has been short and unpredictable. I have found that I have not been able to devote enough time and thought to a body of work, so I’ve been jumping around with all sorts of things. In many ways it has been quite liberating but now I find that I need to gather all those thoughts and experiments together and present myself with a rational plan about it all and where to go next.

There were ideas about prescribed stationery sizes that we all use and recognise, after my memory cards and loom cards, I have found myself drawn back to postcards and I have a set of those printed and not yet dry. More next time.

There were experiments using Hosho lightweight paper and coverless book formats.

Ideas around loose threads stitched into the antique textile fragments. Fragments always have interesting edges, they could be ripped, cut, worn out or have unpicked seams.

Old seams

Dart stitching

Two different weights of thread, mending, or an adaptation?

Many of my thoughts are moving towards adaptations of the past to meet the needs of the present. Whether it be darning a sleeve, shortening a hem, or creating postcards!

We all adapt and alter.