by Mary Schoeser

What has 567 pages, over 1,000 images, weighs over 7 pounds, and has enough inspiration to keep your artistic juices flowing for a very long time? Mary Schoeser’s latest book: Textiles The Art of Mankind.

The book features work from around the world, with both historical pieces and contemporary ones.  It is an overwhelming tome of text and visuals that I will periodically be dipping in and out of for a long time to fully take it in.

One of my quilts, Squared Illusions 6, is included (bottom right above). I do wish that the important fact that the piece is primarily made from digitally-printed pigmented ink on fabric was included in the description. Even so, I am incredibly thrilled and honored to have work in this book.

Books published by Thames & Hudson are often beautifully displayed at museums around the world, and for good reason. They are gorgeous to look at, informative to read, and provide massive amounts of inspiration. This book is no exception. While expensive, at $95 retail, Amazon sells it for nearly $30 less. And, since the book is over $25, you can get free ground shipping with it. If you love textiles, consider treating yourself to this beauty.

I took this shot one afternoon, on route to the train station. From it, I created a bunch of variations using several different iPad/iPhone apps. (Yes, I know I’m missing a “w” from my signature brush!)

I’m thrilled that my Artifications quilt is on the cover of the latest issue of The Professional Quilter magazine. The magazine is the quarterly publication of The International Association of Professional Quilters. I’ve been writing the technology forum column for the magazine for over 15 years (it’s hard for me to believe it’s been that long).  If you’re not a member, check it out.  It’s not just for quilt makers, but mixed media artists, too.  I’m also happy to share that I’m working on an eBook compilation of columns, all updated where needed, and selling it my website at some point in 2013.  Let me know if you’re interested, and I’ll keep you posted.

Here is the cutie, the 95 lb Bud-Z that can knock me on my butt in a single move (and he’s done it several times).  We got him after after our beloved Buddy died.  Buddy was a Rottie, Chow, Shepard, German Short Hair Pointer mix with a beautiful disposition.  After he died (two years ago, March 3rd, I wrote a post about him then), Rich tried to find a similar looking dog.  He did, in West Virginia (found him on PetFinder.com). Well, he may look the same, but his temperament is truly different. To say the least, the first year he was very difficult to the point we hired a trainer to help us with him.  Here’s the post I wrote after Buddy died. You can see how similar they looked, oh but how different they are!

As a present for Rich, I had Bud-Z’s DNA analyzed, and the results are in.  We thought he was Chow, Rottie, and Shepard, and then guessed other things.  Our vet though Ridgeback and Shepard, another vet thought Golden Lab.  Rich was sure Bullmastiff, and I feared Pit Bull.  But, nope!

The results are in … Bud-Z is a Chow-Chow mix and a Whippet Mix!!  Whippet????  We thought, no way!  However, Bud-z is incredibly fast off the line.  The other breeds in the mix, which all add up to the special dog that is Bud-Z are:
Catahoula Leopard Dog at 45.54%
Plott Hound at 21.07%
Cardigan Welsh Corgi at 10.16%
Newfoundland at 7.72%
Shih Tzu at 3.51%

The above left shows an exhibit by Tomie Arai called Tales from Home; the middle area houses another exhibit called Brother Can You Spare a Stack, and on the right yet another exhibit by Candace Hicks called Fabrications.

The above three images are from Candace Hicks. You can learn more her and her exhibit here.

The above is from Tomie Arai: Tales from Home, which you can learn more about here.

All of the above are part of the Brother Can You Spare a Stack, which you can learn more about here.  All of the exhibits run through March 30, 2013.

Also while wondering around, I saw some individuals typesetting.  Seeing this was such a blast from my past. I studied graphic art before the Macintosh revolutionized desktop publishing, meaning I learned to pull and set type the long and arduous way. While I have no desire to do any layouts in this manner, it was very cool to see all the wooden cases, draw after draw, filled with metal type, and to look at the various presses. I found myself wondering just when I forgot what letter was where in the case, when at one time I had them memorized, and when I stopped saying typeface and started saying font. And, how strange it was to see that equipment that I remember from several decades back along with a current day Macbook Pro.  It seemed surreal (yet inspirational – ideas for new artwork?).

In any event, if you have any enjoyment of book arts and in the area, do stop by and check out what they have to offer. At the very least, visit their website and blog.