Another Review at MyShelf.Com

The Art and Embroidery of Jane Hall
Reflections of Nature

by Jane Hall



      First and foremost, this is NOT a book of projects but a look at one artist’s unique depictions of nature. It is the sort of thing coffee tables were made for, and guaranteed to look impressive and bring joy to owner and guests alike. For all textile artists this is a book of inspiration, and shows what can be done with natural materials and fabric, wire, thread and more.

In true Search Press style this is one handsome book, lavishly illustrated with suitably large photographs of the work. Read about how the artist works, her inspirations and the organization of her studio. There are photos of everything, including the studio and work in situ, plenty of shots of nature in all her glory as well as raw materials such as baskets of silk, antique sewing tools, boxes overflowing with inspirational items and sketchbooks. Leafing through, one feels that if Plato’s Symposium was the ideal for academic study, then Ms. Hall’s studio is surely the way all textile artists would work if they could. Personally, I find a book that shows how somebody working on a budget with only a cupboard and a kitchen table can still produce good results more inspiring but this is not a how-to book. It does show wonderfully how one person’s limitless imagination can produce a very personal and attractive view of nature, and reading about how other people work is always fascinating.

The Book

Search Press
December 2006
Hardback
ISBN-10: 1844480380
ISBN-13: 9781844480388
Nonfiction/Craft
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Excerpt
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The Reviewer

Rachel A Hyde
Reviewed 2007
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© 2006 MyShelf.com