Thursday, December 13, 2007

fall down seven, stand up eight!

Give us the fortitude to endure the things which cannot be changed, and the courage to change the things which should be changed, and the wisdom to know one from the other.
~ Oliver J. Hart


I have been busy working on a few projects over the last few weeks
I am sorry that I can not share with you this book in its entirety, but I can share with you some of my creative process when I work on a large or small project.

for the most part I do start with a pallet... almost always have a theme be it a poem or image in the case it was the photos of my grandmother that I used as a starting point.
then I picked out some fabrics, I then begin to pull objects that complemented my theme

I have a vast collection of carved mammoth ivory, bone, and wood beads and a amazing netsuke collection that I pulled onto the mix. I could not stop myself so I add some vintage lace!

I sorted through my rubber stamp collection and put out some words that could be used, I pulled a old Japanese book off of my book shelf and I scaled down the size of my images and printed them out on silk and transparencies.

Now once I start working I get lost in the process so there are no photos to share but for the most part I will lay out all of my spreads play with them a little then I decided how I will connect all the parts together.

Now in the end this book has 10 pages counting the front cover and is compiled of four signatures
I also had to make up four spacers because my pages are very thick.


Here they are all stacked up so I can mark were my holes need to be punched out

and here is the view of all the signatures ready to be bind.

I used waxed linen thread and a needle because the binding was so thick

I also needed to use my awl to help me find my way to the end of each hole.

and here is my completed binding of this book.

and this is what the side view of the book looked like before I added a cleaver closer to keep the book under control!

in the end I would say that I only used about 20% of the supplies that I laid out from the "pallet" that I created and this is true of most of my work I tend to start out with a lot of possibility's then really edit things down and try to tell a story with my work.

Here are the last 2 pages of the book the image is one of my grandmother laying down on the grass and I could now help but use one of my favorite Japanese Proverbs:

" Fall down seven, Stand up eight"


Because in the end its always about Courage!

"I have lived on a razors edge. So what if you fall off,
I'd rather be doing something I really wanted to do. I'd walk it again."
~Georgia O'Keefe



Keep your fears to yourself, but share your courage with others.
~
Robert Louis Stevenson



19 comments:

Kim H. said...

WOW this is stunning! I love all the elements you used! This is so inspiring! I have wanted to try my hand at a fabric journal but not sure where to start! Your's is beautiful!

Cindy In Carolina said...

I LOVE looking at your work. It seems there is always so much to look at and take in. I too have wanted to try my hand at a fabric journal. Thanks for sharing and keep it up!!!!!!

Anne, Bulles dorées said...

C'est absolument fantastique !!! *o*

Heartinmyhand said...

OMG I love all the elements you pulled together. Can't wait to see the whole thing. Love the quotes

Pat said...

Rhanks you for sharing, this i a beautiful book.

evelyn:sitarrasmom@sbcglobal.net said...

hey its me evelyn back in elgin. your projects are so amazing!!! that book....i could never come up with something like that on my own. my question is do you know what you want to accomplish when you start or do you jump in and let creativity take over? what can i use to give me direction and inspiration in a fabric project? we miss you here!

FARBTUPFER said...

Thanks for these wonderful words and I am looking forward to see the whole book!

~Red Tin Heart~ said...

i love your site. it is thoughtful and beautiful. <3 xoxo nita <3

beachbungalow8 said...

whoa. these are amazing. i don't think i'd have the patience. they're beautiful.

great blog too! thank you for adding me to your blog roll~

Holly Loves Art said...

Beautiful. Happy holidays, my friend. I hope you're having a wonderful December filled with fun and creativity!

Hope to see you in 2007!

Holly

Jo Wholohan said...

beautiful ruth, is it for a publication or a gift??? sooo yummy :))

Karla Rosendall said...

It is always fun to see how an artists operates. I love your style and the book looks amazing.
Karla

Judy said...

Stunning Ruth!!!

Mercedes said...

Beautiful!!! Congratulations for your effort. Thanks so much for your pics. I like to see the process.

Ro Bruhn said...

What a fabulous book Ruth, I'm currently in an ABRR with Judy from red velvet and it reminds me of her book, masses of texture and so much character, love it. Thanks for sharing

knitsteel said...

I don't think I've ever seen a fabric journal before - maybe one at an art exhibit once - but nothing that looked so tactile and .... I want to say visceral or raw, but that's not the right word. Maybe I mean so open, so right out there for us all to see.

p.s.
your comment on flickr- I sent you a flickrmail with my address.

Vicki W said...

Thanks for visiting my blog today so that I could find yours! Your work is beautiful and I am looking forward to keeping up with your creative adventures.

art-creations said...

your book looks so amazing! like your style! and your sweet package arrived me yesterday and i`m sooo happy. Thank you ruth, i love all of the goodies and your necklace and the cone are stunning!!!

Beate Knappe said...

I am looking forward to see the whole book! It looks so amazing. I love your Work and I wish you a wonderful 2008