Embroidering the Everyday: Found, Stitch and Paint by Cat Holmes
Published by Batsford
Moments matter, don’t let them scatter.
It shouldn’t have taken us as humans a worldwide pandemic to stop and smell the roses as it were; yet lets’ face it, it did.
Everyday. As a word, we judge it as ordinary, mundane, dare I say it: Boring, without any magic.
Holmes, within this title sets herself up to turn our provisional definition of the ordinary around. I stake you not to leave this book without promising to yourself not to lack appreciation for our wonderful world again. Her artistry surpasses any temporary lockdown, her inspiring force is set to stay, always alive within this title. It is a book to mend your mind, your soul and have a pledge within your goal…of what? To appreciate the everyday, the moments when you are not traveling, you are not particularity celebrating a life goal or achievement, you are simply alive. Hanging the washing out, walking the dog, crossing the cricket field hand in hand with a child or grandchild or whoever is a part of your life, or maybe even as a solo…do you look up, pay attention to your surroundings? Take a note of the cracks in the pavements or the crow or pigeon who lands nearby - common sites, but are they not wonderful in themselves?
What did you do in lockdown? We all will have achieved something different. Some will have made life changing decisions, others - they survived. Whatever your outcome, judge it as amazing and use it to inspire you, if you are artistically inclined.
Moments matter, so use them. Use this title and work out what the everyday means to you. There is no right or wrong. Cas showcases plenty of her own works and other artists to illustrate examples of what we can be inspired by. Collage, stitch, natural home dyeing, familial historical contexts, sketchbook work, initial and further established drawings….there is something to hit a nerve with a universal audience.
So what are you waiting for? Certainly not another co-vid inspired experience I hope? Use your time and own your own copy via the link below. AH