Explore the work of three generations of fine artists who have opened their minds and spirits to the boundless range of expressive possibilities in textile methods or materials. Even as the art on these pages references weaving, crochet or quilting, traditional textile notions disappear in the hands of serious artists, appropriating essential elements for their contemporary concepts

This lavish book documents the developments in the field of fiber-related art over the past half century. The 1960s saw a revolution in fiber art. Where once the focus was on knotting, twining, and coiling thread into works that were immediately recognizable, and therefore connected to utilitarian crafts, fiber artists of the later 20th-century began to experiment with abstract forms that were closer to sculpture than craft. Influenced by postmodernist ideas, these works are the product of experimentation with materials and technique while at the same time confronting important cultural issues. This book traces that development from the mid-twentieth century to the present. In the words of Bauhaus weaver Anni Albers, the expressive quality of fiber is essentially a "language of thread." That language is beautifully displayed in full-color spreads and individual illustrations in this book. Scholarly essays address the feminist movement of the 1970s; the expanded use of materials in the '80s and '90s; and the more recent employment of fiber as one more material in the creation of freestanding works. In addition to a section of full color illustrations, this book also includes profiles of all of the genre's most influential artists.

Fine art meets fabric! Compose, create, and print innovative art quilts starting from your own digital photographs—even those from your phone! Well-known fiber artist Wen Redmond starts with the tools and equipment you'll need—any image editing software and a standard inkjet printer—and teaches you to alter images, print them on a variety of fibers, and accentuate them with stitching. With a sense of adventure, even a beginner can apply these techniques to create new and innovative works of art. - Transform your photographs into matchless works of art with mixed-media techniques and quilting - Explore inkjet printing on almost anything! Design with fabric, paper, and other substrates - Get photo editing, layering, and printing tips from respected fiber artist and teacher Wen Redmond - Learn new approaches to digital printing—perfect for quilters, fabric and paper artists, digital artists, mixed-media artists, photographers, art teachers, and more

A moving and powerful introduction to the life and art of renowned artist, Judith Scott, as told by her twin sister, Joyce Scott and illustrated by Caldecott Honor artist, Melissa Sweet. Judith Scott was born with Down syndrome. She was deaf, and never learned to speak. She was also a talented artist. Judith was institutionalized until her sister Joyce reunited with her and enrolled her in an art class. Judith went on to become an artist of renown with her work displayed in museums and galleries around the world. Poignantly told by Joyce Scott in collaboration with Brie Spangler and Melissa Sweet and beautifully illustrated by Caldecott Honor artist, Melissa Sweet, Unbound is inspiring and warm, showing us that we can soar beyond our perceived limitations and accomplish something extraordinary.

Discover a Deeper Connection to Your Artist Self! Artists and athletes alike benefit from strength training. Building creative stamina takes encouragement, mentoring, and regular practice. In Creative Strength Training, you'll discover powerful strategies that combine writing and hands-on art-making to overcome creative stumbling blocks, develop a unique voice and make creating art a regular habit. • Overcome resistance while dismantling "the Committee" (that group of inner critics). • Explore 10 exercises for making art that stands apart as uniquely yours. • Receive support and inspiration from contributing artists who share how each chapter has improved their practice and helped them evolve. Begin a fresh approach to your creative practice. Begin building stamina today with Creative Strength Training! "In a world of bookshelves lined with self-help guides to overhauling ourselves, Jane Dunnewold gives us, instead, a way to discover ourselves. Creative Strength Training is a gift to the artist just starting out, and a powerful resource for those of us who feel like we may have grown stale." --Mary Fisher, artist and AIDS activist "Jane's approach will resonate with anyone who has ever been stymied in his or her attempt to be original and creative. She guides readers on a journey of self-discovery to seek the core of the creative spirit. This newfound self-awareness and confidence is sure to unleash brand new avenues of creativity for those who read this important new work." --Maureen Hendricks, owner of Gateway Canyons Resort, home of Alegre Quilt Retreat "Jane Dunnewold's approach to the creative process is as refreshing as it is realistic--building stamina means making your art a priority. This method feels at once personal and prolific--a must-have for anyone looking to push his/her boundaries." --Joe Pitcher, founder of textileartist.org

String, Felt, Thread presents an unconventional history of the American art world, chronicling the advance of thread, rope, string, felt, and fabric from the "low" world of craft to the "high" world of art in the 1960s and 1970s and the emergence today of a craft counterculture. In this full-color illustrated volume, Elissa Auther discusses the work of American artists using fiber, considering provocative questions of material, process, and intention that bridge the art-craft divide. Drawn to the aesthetic possibilities and symbolic power of fiber, the artists whose work is explored here-Eva Hesse, Robert Morris, Claire Zeisler, Miriam Schapiro, Faith Ringgold, and others-experimented with materials that previously had been dismissed for their associations with the merely decorative, with "arts and crafts," and with "women's work." In analyzing this shift and these exceptional artists' works, Auther engages far-reaching debates in the art world: What accounts for the distinction between art and craft? Who assigns value to these categories, and who polices the boundaries distinguishing them? String, Felt, Thread not only illuminates the centrality of fiber to contemporary artistic practice but also uncovers the social dynamics-including the roles of race and gender-that determine how art has historically been defined and valued.