Illustrated Shibori

I thought you might like to see the slow stages of my slow book happening...

This is step-by-step of a Shibori fold & clamp / tie. The clamp looks a little funny, but I think it's obvious enough what it is. I do like the String better + easier to draw... 

I'm loving doing these; I know they're quite naive in style, but that's me and my style. And the art director for my book says he likes them - so that's good!

Just going with the flow, being myself; embracing who I am and what I have to offer. I hope you are too!!

It's Monday morning here, school holidays. The cicadas are droning already - they're the soundtrack of this year's Summer for sure. So many. It'll be hot today.

I have some words to write for my editor and then hang clothes on the line, then my sister will be here and we're going to give my dad's house a little tidy / freshen up. He's home from India tomorrow (he was away for 7 weeks).

Have a beauty-filled day. Xx

Lately.... working on the beginning of a book

So - I've probably been shouting it and telling anyone who cares to listen, but I'm writing a book. UH HUh! Yep.. And I actually also have a publisher. Ain't that pretty special. 

It won't be out for ages. Like next year, or the one after. I don't even know to be honest. I know I'm in the very very beginning stages of it all. But I'm excited. I'll be writing, photographing and illustrating it all myself. Big, yes. Exciting, yes. Scary, yes. 

I can't really share much on my regular page or Instagram... because I feel like some things need to be a surprise, a secret. Yes, don't you think? But I thought maybe I could share a little with you here. 

It will be a craft how-to book, but also essays (of sorts, more like conversations) about slow living, slow crafting, slow creating. There'll be sections on Botanical dye, indigo, shibori, on slow stitch, on weaving - both loom weaving and basket weaving. And heaps more. There'll be a process aspect to it, the way that I work, as well as specific make it this way projects.

Here's just a few sneak pics of what I'm working on at the moment. It's called a BLAD - book layout and design - and what it is is a mock up of how the book will look, in only a few pages (maybe 12-15 pages), with the cover, contents page and a few projects / photos / illustrations. To show to other publishers who may be interested in coming on board. 

It seems to be the way publishers work... if they can get a bigger market, it means my book can go to a bigger audience. So, my publishers are in UK, but they're looking to take the BLAD to USA and Europe book fairs.  

These are just a few photos and illustrations I've been working on. If you follow me on Instagram and are wondering why I've been more quiet than usual this is why.