Finding Your Own Visual Language is a design book tailored for those artists who have proficiency in their medium, or media, but who feel like their work is lacking in some way - artists who want to "make better work", however they define it. To this end, famous textile artists Jane Dunnewold, Claire Benn and Leslie Morgan address four questions which every artist may struggle with at one point or another. First, how to get started designing. Then, how to move forward with the actual designing process. The authors present the ideas of design principles and tools, and provide over twenty pages of techniques to help you understand these ideas, and bring them into your work. The next question the authors address is what to do when things are not coming out right. Sometimes a project will just flow right out of you and be exactly what you want it to, while other times nothing seems to produce the right effect, emotion, or design. For these difficult times, the authors suggest a few means of identifying the issue and addressing it. Finally, in the last section, the authors delve into techniques and ideas that can help add depth and meaning to a piece, or help clarify and focus your intention for the piece. While not a "beginners" book, any artist can learn from this valuable resource, and take their art to the next level.

8.75" x 11.75", Soft Cover, Spiral Bound, Color Photos, 64 pages.

What is Paper and Metal Leaf Lamination? Renowned fiber artists Claire Benn, Jane Dunnewold and Leslie Morgan bring this exciting mixed media approach to fabric surface design into sharp focus with this must have how-to guide.

This book will be of particular interest to surface designers looking to expand the scope of their work. Utilizing both natural and synthetic fabrics, some basic screen-printing and quilting supplies, you will learn the process of layering, fusing, stitching (and more) everything from newsprint, photocopies, art paper and metal leaf or foil to various fabrics to create breathtaking one-of-a-kind pieces of art cloth.

This book is filled with so many beautiful and inspiring photos of the authors’ work; you may just want to keep it on your coffee table when it’s not in use. If the ordinary isn’t for you, then this book is! And if that isn't enough to entice you, it comes with a 21minute instructional DVD too! A great value and the best of both worlds to learn; other than taking a $400 or $500 class from these famous fiber artists!

8.75" x 11.75", soft cover, spiral bound, 54 pages, full color.
1 disc - 21 minutes

Here's another great book by Mandy Southan. This one is a beautiful collection of floral designs that can be photocopied - roses, lilies, peonies, morning glories, irises and more. These original designs lend themselves very well to the Serti technique of silk painting and to many other fabric painting products as well.

8.5" x 11.5", Soft cover, 41 pages, black & white designs

444 border designs and 19 full-page scenes from the Kodai moshiki zuko ('Picture album of Traditional Patterns'), from the 19th century. Anyone who appreciates Japanese art will love this book. The pictures are just nice, and inspiring...but they're also very useful - black and white and easily traced. Dharma rated ****
6"x9", soft cover, 93 pages,black and white.