Tuesday, December 17, 2013

My new book is almost here....

LATE BREAKING NEWS! THE BOOKS ARE HERE.... 
scroll down to the end for a chance at a free copy.....

I just learned that several copies of my new book, Working in a Series, are on their way to me  and should be here any day.  One book published in a year is pretty exciting - two is truly amazing!
When C and T asked me to send them a proposal I wasn't sure which idea to present, so I offered them two different ideas and was very surprised when they accepted both of them.

My earlier book, Inspired to Design, came out in the Spring and is a step by step guide on how to make an art quilt: from being inspired by a photograph or a painting or an idea, through sketching and designing, critiquing the design, blocking out the quilt and constructing and finishing it.

The second book goes much further and covers three main areas: developing a series, coming up with designs in many different ways and gaining a fuller and more useful understanding of the principles of good design.

  My aim was to help the reader focus in on one idea, one stream of thought that could lead to a whole series of quilts, a body of work.  So many people have said to me that they're tired of learning a technique, making one quilt in that technique, then going to another workshop, learning a different technique and making one quilt like that.   They feel they have no voice - or perhaps too many voices!!   Furthermore all the pundits talk about developing one's own particular style, one having a "body of work" but they don't really tell you just how to do that.

I think that when you've taken many different workshops and learned a lot of different techniques, you are more than ready to develop your own style.  Some people are lucky and seem to fall into a particular style right from the start - I think it's often because they did discover that working a series of quilts was they way to do it.  In this book, I explain just how and when to decide what kind of series is right for you. There are also lots of examples of quilt series both from myself and from a number of well known, well respected artists.

In the second part of the book, I look at the many ways you can come up with designs - all the different tools you can use and methods for seeing, grasping and working from inspiration.

The third part of the book addresses something that seems to be lacking in many quilt books and magazines and that is a thoughtful look at design considerations.  Many books just rattle off a short list of Es and Ps and consider the task done.  Rote learning of a few labels just won't cut it though!!  You really need to know why, what, when and how!!     Some of the topics I address are:  achieving the illusion of depth, evaluating your designs, choosing strong color schemes and the use of simultaneous contrast,  using rhythms and repetition to make a piece more interesting, the use of value patterns (chiaroscuro, or Notan), and landscape composition rules.  I also discuss the problems in working directly from photographs, how to bring energy into your work, the use of positive and negative space and visual pathways.  I have tried, however, not to be didactic and boring - but rather to take a look at some of these ideas in a way that is helpful to the quiltmaker in particular.

As before if you're interested in purchasing a copy of the book - you can order one directly from me - please email me   for details.  I'd be happy to put one in Priority Mail for you - and sign it!!
Or you can support your local quilt shop by asking them to order it.  Amazon will have it in January.

So, if you have been, thanks for reading!  And thank you to everyone who signed up for my 2014 master class (or to be on the 2015 waiting list) (see last blog)!!  I'm looking forward to getting started with this new idea!    Elizabeth

PS if the embedded link above doesn't work (it looks a bit funky on my screen) - then there's a link just below my picture on the top right, and also one from my website: www.elizabethbarton.com

ALSO C&T are Giving Away an e copy of the book on their blog:

http://www.ctpubblog.com/2013/12/23/a-visit-with-elizabeth-barton-author-of-visual-guide-to-working-in-a-series-and-a-giveaway/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+ctpubblog%2Ffeed+%28C%26T+Blog%29

check it out!!




10 comments:

Linda B. said...

Congratulations - this has become a late addition to my Christmas wish list!

Marianne said...

Je l'ai précommandé chez C&T et je
l'attend avec impatience
I preordered at C&T and I
eagerly awaits

Unknown said...

Congratulations. This has been a busy year for you. I love Inspired to Design. Can't wait to see the new book!! I have added it to my Christmas wish list. Thank you so very much for so generously sharing your inspirational ideas. Not only an artist but you are a very sharing teacher.
Mary Helen in OR

Kit Lang said...

Cost of the book?

Christine Staver said...

congrats on the new book. I just got out your first book to read again tonight as I get ready for the master class in January.

Elizabeth Barton said...

yes a very busy year - actually the bulk of the book writing was last year - also very busy!! but so good being my Own Boss!!! I'm very kind to the staff! The book is $30 and the shipping (priority mail) is $5 - so $35 in total. and thank you!!

Christine Staver said...

Another comment. I have been looking through your first book while giving a final exam in my astronomy class today. I am amazed how many quilts you have made. When did you start quilting? I was looking at Amazon at the reviews for your first book and had to laugh at the comment from one buyer that did not like your color schemes. I think your color schemes are great. I wonder what they consider a good color scheme! I have seen some awful ones at some quilt shows.

Elizabeth Barton said...

Hi Chris - yes the comment about colour schemes had me a bit puzzled too!! Especially as I have used a lot of different ones.
I began making trad quilts in 1984 when I came to Georgia, and gradually branched out into my own designs in the early '90s.....

Georgina said...

Your latest book sounds brilliant and just what budding art-quilters need - so many people I speak to teeter on the edge with, as you say, elements and principles in their kit bag, but this huge fear that if the first thing they create is not Unicorn like in its wonder, magnificence and beauty then it will be the ONLY thing they create. They need to know about process, practice and journey! A 2014 purchase for sure!!

Elizabeth Barton said...

Too true Georgina! All artists would love to have an immediate brilliant successful piece with every attempt - alas the only ones that do are of the Kinkaid - repeat a formula - kind. If you want to move forward, you're going to have missteps - and the more adventurous you are, the more you'll make. And that is GOOD, not bad!!