Since I am now making large bowls depicting scenes from Fables and Legends, I thought it would be time to focus a little more on my drawing skills (for want of a better word!).
Unlike many potters, I don't sketch anything before I start - although I have always planned it all in my head, often in the wee small hours!
So, it's nice to have an artist/daughter in the house who knows exactly what to give my for a birthday present (yes - I am another year older as of last week!). This book is an absolute delight for the eyes.
It will provide endless inspiration for my 'story pots', and there's something uniquely satisfying that all these wonderful illustrations were done by women. In post-Victorian society, every well-bred girl was schooled in the arts of sketching and drawing, and those who were particularly determined and talented were able to carve out a successful career in illustration.
This book celebrates the accomplishments of twenty-two female illustrators and features 120 of their gorgeous pictures.
Obviously, you don't need me to tell you which stories these are from as they are instantly recognisable and that's what appeals to me - to make pots which speak to everyone of common childhood heritage.
This last image, you will discern, is NOT from my new book; it is a photo of the latest piece by another 'woman's hand' - my talented daughter, Rachel. The photo does not do justice to the phenomenal detail contained within the work, which itself measures something over a metre square.
These pieces have recently been in exhibitions in London and other cities up and down the country, and are now to be included in a portfolio of work to be used as part of her application to do a Masters Degree in Art in London. (Fingers crossed!)If you have time, please do have a browse round her new website here : racheldaniel.co.uk and see her other pieces.
She also has a blog, which she has not updated for three months - what kind of blogger is that?? And I thought I was bad! Lol.
Do you sketch a design first, or do you just .... go for it and see what happens?
x Cathy
Happy birthday to you! What a wonderful gift and I can see why you are so taken with the book. The illustrations are just lovely.
ReplyDeleteTell your daughter congratulations on her work. I hope that she is accepted into the program.
Judy
What a beautiful, thoughtful gift. Happy Birthday!
ReplyDeleteI always have blank books and portfolios at hand si I can get ideas on paper. Since my work is all about color and illustration I look at a lot of other artists Carl Larsson, Mucha, Beardsly, Maurice Sendak, Charles Vess, Peter Spier, to name a few. They all in some small way have inspired me to find my own vocabulary. If I'm using new images I will draw them on paper until I have them down. When I start painting on raw glaze I will sketch for placement in pencil or food coloring.
It depends...but there is usually sketching first,though not directly to do with making something specific, it kind of finds a way...but I do tend to work sewing stuff out first because fabric costs! But paintings-well, I may sketch first, but they nearly always change into a quite different piece once I start working on them.
ReplyDeleteFingers crossed for Rachel.
What a wonderful gift for your birthday.
ReplyDeleteI'm developing my drawing and painting skills - sometimes I do want to draw things - but I've also been trying to stitch in a more "freehand" fashion. I need to get back to those experiments...
ReplyDeletea few simple clicks of a button and I've just been and ordered a copy from Amazon !!!!!!! It looks like a beautiful book ......... love your work.
ReplyDeleteJulia x
What a talented daughter you have. Belated happy birthday to you!
ReplyDeleteHi Cathy,
ReplyDeleteThank you for your sweet comment on my blog. Your daughter is brilliant with her drawing. What amazing details.
It is nice to meet you. And knowing that you have a Joey too. :)
xx
You are so lucky - the gift and such a talented daughter....takes after her Mum! Happy belated Birthday.
ReplyDeleteI usually have an idea and jump in with both feet and follow where things go, I try to be good and draw and sketch but it doesn't usually come off! Hey-ho!!!
Happy Birthday to you and good luck to Rachel with her Master's application. The book is gorgeous and I'm sure will be a source of inspiration for your latest projects.
ReplyDeleteHappy Birthday Catherine!
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful gift, so inspiring.
Your new pots in your last post are amazing - the detail is incredible.
Looking forward to seeing more of your new direction pots, brilliant!
Gill xx
Oooh I wish I could draw, my 7 year old is better than I am. What a fabulous book and your daughter is very talented indeed. I do hope she gets onto the Masters.
ReplyDeleteBelated birthday greetings! I do hope your daughter does the MA in London. What a wonderful experience (despite the expense!)
ReplyDeleteHappy Birthday Blessings, Catherine. What an amazing book! Your daughter is certainly a talented artist as well.
ReplyDeleteI missed this. A belated Happy Birthday :D
ReplyDeleteSuch a glorious book ... what a clever, and clearly very talented, daughter you have.