I am very excited and proud to announce the arrival of ‘Textile Travels’ , my fourth title for Batsford Books on the 1st October. In these challenging times it is wonderful to have a new book to celebrate.
The book is as the Batsford advance information says:
‘An evocative exploration of how travel – local and far away – can inform, inspire and enhance textile art.
Travel has always featured heavily in textile art, from artists’ ‘travelling sketchbooks’ to large-scale installations mapping coastal erosion or the effects of climate change. In this book, renowned textile artist Anne Kelly shows how to capture your travels, past and present, in stitch, with practical techniques sitting alongside inspiring images.
She begins the book by discussing maps in textile art, including their iconography as well as incorporating actual maps into textile work. She then goes on to explore the influence of different cultures from across the globe on textile art.
From India and Peru to Scotland and Scandinavia, the book shows how to harness traditional techniques, fabrics, motifs and colours for use in your own work. The chapter ‘Stopping Places’ captures the moments in time on a journey that can be distilled, remembered and documented to create stitched postcards, sketchbooks and other pieces. The final chapter, ‘Space and the Imagination’, explores the possibilities of space travel as a source of inspiration, and covers inner space too, with artists mapping their own emotional journeys.
Including a wealth of practical tricks and techniques as well as exquisite photography of both Anne’s own work and that of other leading textile artists, this fascinating book will inspire all textile artists, embroiderers and makers to use past travels to influence their work.’
I’m really pleased to have a ‘face to face’ (socially distanced of course) book signing arranged with the lovely people at Pincushion Pantiles, in Tunbridge Wells, where I live. It’s on Saturday the 3rd of October from 2-4 pm and you can preorder your copy on their website or send me a message.
I’m also hoping to do a launch day chat on Instagram, you can follow my account for announcements and details. There have been very positive reviews in both Embroidery and the Quilter magazines – current editions.
It has been wonderful to see the response to the Artists Support Pledge work I have been highlighting on social media. All the work under £ 200 on my website is eligible and I have been busy visiting the post office sending packages all over the world!
I was heartened also by the response to the Textile Artist ‘Stitch Club’ workshop that I gave last month. The work was really superb and there were a wide range of interpretations of the theme which was great to see.
I am returning to my work for Kent Adult Education online this month and hoping that a few socially distanced workshops (for details of forthcoming planned classes see here) will proceed. I’m doing some studio chats on Zoom which is really fun and a good option for groups who aren’t able to meet at the present uncertain time. Contact me for details and stay well and safe everyone !
‘Indian Gardens Bag’ off to a new home shortly…
Anne Kelly 