My 'allegro/dolce' art journal has been a long term project, and I have so enjoyed putting it together. I'm now almost finished and I will really miss working in it when it's done.
This doesn't mean it's been all plain sailing, however! I had difficulties with the binding, which ended up being too loose, so I had to make some extra signatures (sets of pages) to insert into the journal. It is still not as firm as I would like, but I LOVE how it looks.
All the signatures are handstitched with waxed linen thread using a pamphlet stitch, and I wove ecoprinted canvas tabs through the outside of all of them and attached them to the inside of the covers.
I deliberately made the pages in lots of different sizes and materials, because I really like to have uneven edges. I think this adds so much interest and texture to the whole design.
Some of these pages are newly done, but others have been added to since I first did them. I love combining different elements including varying the stitches, types of paper, layouts and found items.
There is also a lot of symbolism, as I explain in this week's video. For example, in this page I wanted to highlight the fact that many workers in the fast fashion industry do not have a voice. I used a bird to symbolise this.
Taking pride in our work can only happen if we are given the time to do it well, under circumstances that are supportive rather then stressful. Otherwise it is just a menial job, and the rewards are few, with very little sense of achievement and not enough pay.
A very old and tattered fashion journal from the late 1800's is providing me with lots of interesting collage details. Here is an example of a design for a petticoat by the author and designer Madam Weigel. She certainly took pride in her work, as did the women who made her designs for themselves and their families.
I am very glad that our culture is being made more aware of the human and environmental cost of the fashion industry. I hope this art journal also does its bit to raise awareness!
Hello Rita,
I just discovered you today through a link that Nicola Brown provided in one of her posts. I spent the next couple of hours pouring over ever single item in your shop and I watched one of your videos and am now here, still looking. Your work is absolutely amazing! It is exactly the kind I hope to be able to do someday, but I will never reach your level of talent in your more complicated pieces. I went to an eco printing class that was gifted to me as a birthday gift and it sparked a desire so I kept researching and that is when I found Nicola Brown and took one of her classes. Most of what I learned is from her. My main focus is on paper but I love natural fibers too. I just don’t know my much about sewing so I print pieces of material and upcycle thrifted clothing but am limited by the size of my pot I just did my only eco printing batch of the year and will not do another until spring, but when I saw all your beautiful pieces it made me want to dive into all the supplies I have and create something with them. I love junk journals and alter d books and have made a couple, but not with any of my eco prints. My time is quite limited due to other responsibilities but someday… I just want to tell you how wonderful your art is and that you are also a great speaker and teacher. Now I am going to watch another of your videos before bed. So glad I found you.
Do you do workshops in Tasmania …..either journal making or eco printing ?