500 Felted Objects: Creative Explorations of a Remarkable Material

Nathalie Mornu

From garments to carpets to vessels, from home decor to installations, 500 Felt Objects is an impressive, flagship display of masterful felt creations. Packed full of inspiration this incredibly diverse collection honours the work of traditional fibre artists side-by-side with that of avant-garde designers. The broad range of styles, colours and forms included reveal felt's full potential and are a constant surprise and delight. Highly recommended to those interested in felt or the textile arts.

420pp      PB           $30.00

The Mandala Book: Patterns of the Universe

Lori Bailey Cunningham

The Mandala Book is a visual symphony, filled with 500 stunning mandalic images from nature and civilization. Drawing from history, science, religion, and art, Lori Bailey Cunningham leads a journey that spans from prehistoric petroglyphs to Carl Jung, from tiny particles of matter to entire galaxies. She explains the concepts of mandalas, showing how they are at the root of life itself. An absolutely fascinating title.

312pp      HC           $30.00

Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty

Andrew Bolton

Arguably the most influential, imaginative, and provocative designer of his generation, Alexander McQueen both challenged and expanded fashion conventions. Published to coincide with an exhibition at The Metropolitan Museum of Art organized by The Costume Institute, Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty examines the full breadth of the designer’s career, from the start of his fledgling label to the triumphs of his own world-renowned London house.

240pp      HC           $59.95

Graffiti 365

Jay Edlin

A fun, wide-ranging survey of the international graffiti movement, this book uses more than 600 rare, previously unpublished, or legendary images to introduce and describe important artists and styles. Along the way, Graffiti 365 covers different eras, cities, legendary walls and crews, police and public responses to graffiti, and more. Unparalleled in its breadth and depth of coverage, Graffiti 365 is a wide-angle snapshot of an entire movement.

744pp      HC           $39.95

How to Be Creative with Textile Art

Julia Tristan & Rachel Lombard

Everyone who works with textiles understands the importance of mastering fundamental techniques. And everyone has experienced the excitement of coming across a new idea. Yet putting art and craft together--the creative act--can seem intimidating. Now two expert artists and teachers share their insights about how to turn ideas into designs, and designs into beautiful finished textile art. They offer advice on choosing fabrics, layering, creating texture, embellishment, edges, finishes, and all the key techniques.

128pp      HC           $40.00

Second Skin: Choosing and Caring for Textiles and Clothing

India Flint

Almost from the moment of our birth, clothing acts as our second skin, yet we rarely consider where our clothes have come from and the effects they might have on the environment and ourselves. This heartfelt, practical and topical book is about easily achievable ways in which we can care for our planet by living simpler lives and using fewer resources, specifically those to do with cloth and clothing. Beautifully photographed and illustrated by the author, it presents information and inspiration on selecting, acquiring, wearing, caring for, making and repurposing textiles and clothing.

288pp      HC           $50.00

Book of Symbols: Reflections on Archetypal Images

by the Archive for Research in Archetypal Symbolism

The Book of Symbols combines original and incisive essays about particular symbols with representative images from all parts of the world and all eras of history. The highly readable texts and over 800 beautiful full-colour images come together in a unique way to convey hidden dimensions of meaning. Authored by writers from the fields of psychology, religion, art, literature, and comparative myth, The Book of Symbols sets new standards for thoughtful exploration of symbols and their meanings. Highly recommended.

808pp      PB           $65.00

First Fleet Artist: George Raper's Birds and Plants of Australia

Linda Groom

George Raper was a midshipman on the Sirius of the First Fleet, whose talent and opportunity combined to produce what is now one of the National Library of Australia's most treasured collections, the Ducie Collection of First Fleet Art. This enchanting telling of Raper's brief life presents a new dimension to our understanding of the First Fleet experience and the life of a junior officer in the British Navy. Containing full-colour illustrations of the complete collection, this volume gives substance to the previously shadowy figure of Raper: a young man whose adventurous spirit and extraordinary insight into the natural world bequeathed to Australia through his paintings, an amazing legacy.

176pp      HC           $49.95

Layered Textiles: New Surfaces with Heat Tools, Machine and Hand Stitch

Kim Thittichai

Layering is a major feature of today's textile art, whether to create relief, colour, texture or dimension. Bestselling author Kim Thittichai shares her expertise on such materials as papers, fabrics, wires, paints, sprays, and more, as well as techniques ranging from machine and hand stitching to heat guns, soldering irons, and laser cutting. Fun and instructive exercises, combined with gorgeous examples from talented artists around the world, give readers the courage to experiment and the confidence to create their own masterpieces of layered textile art.

128pp      HC           $40.00

Making Handmade Books: 100+ Bindings, Structures &anp; Forms

Alisa Golden

From bestselling author Alisa Golden comes this beautiful book. In as little as an afternoon, beginners will be on their way to folding, gluing, and sewing handmade books in a wide variety of styles and techniques. Complete with photographs of the author's own master books and statements by more than 40 established book artists, this collection is sure to inspire. Culled from the author's best-selling books "Creating Handmade Books," "Unique Handmade Books," and "Expressive Handmade Books," these projects will fuel bookbinding adventures for years to come.

256pp      PB           $25.00

Colour in Art Quilts

Janet Twinn

New from Batsford Books this title is aimed at quilters who want a deeper understanding of colour and who would like to challenge themselves and venture outside of their colour comfort zone. Renowned art quilter Janet Twinn covers everything from colour theory and harmonizing fabrics to colouring methods, using colour to evoke atmosphere and place. Stunning images from today's top quiltmakers demonstrate a wide range of creative possibilities.

128pp      HC           $40.00

Yohji Yamamoto

Ed: Ligaya Salazar

Yohji Yamamoto is one of fashion’s continual innovators and this stunning book is a fascinating insight into his working approach and relationships with other creative practitioners. It places Yamamoto’s work in context and includes an insightful interview with Yamamoto, as well as a round table discussion with some of his key collaborators. Beautifully illustrated using amazing photographs selected from the Yohji Yamamoto archive, from the likes of Nick Knight and Paolo Roversi, this is an invaluable resource for anyone with an interest in fashion and design.

192pp      HC           $85.00

Masters: Book Arts - Major Works by Leading Artists

Ed: Eileen Wallace

This collection in the popular Lark Masters series, chosen and introduced by one of the world's top curators, offers field-defining work from 43 master book artists. The selections demonstrate conceptual, aesthetic, and technical excellence, as well as incredible beauty. Brief comments from the artists about their work, careers, and philosophies accompany the stunning images of their most innovative and technically accomplished book art achievements.

330pp      PB           $30.00

Knit Sock Love

Cookie A

Sock designer extraordinaire Cookie A chronicles her love affair with sock knitting and explores different methods to pattern socks by examining their underlying structure. Nineteen patterns ranging from simply chic to astonishingly intricate are arranged into three sections: Columns, Tessellations and Diagonals. These rich and seemingly complex patterns are broken down step by step into bite-size components that are easy to digest. Illustrations, diagrams and charts accompany each project, offering an invaluable guide for visual knitters. This revolutionary compilation is sure to elevate sock knitting to new levels of sophistication.

176pp      PB           $45.00

Repurposed Library: 33 Projects that Give Old Books New Life

Lisa Occhipinti

The Repurposed Library presents us with 33 projects to make, quite literally, out of books. For these projects, Occhipinti rescues and repurposes orphaned and outdated books from flea markets and library sales and turns them into new art objects and practical items for the home. Her creations range from artfully constructed mobiles, wreaths, and vases, to functional items like shelves and storage boxes. Projects utilize every imaginable part of a book, from hardback cover to individual pages, and are a celebration of a new way to view a book's potential.

144pp      HC           $45.00

Cabinets of Curiosity

Albertus Seba

Albertus Seba's Cabinet of Curiosities is one of the 18th century's greatest natural history achievements and remains one of the most prized natural history books of all time. Though scientists of his era often collected natural specimens for research purposes, Amsterdam-based pharmacist Albertus Seba (1665-1736) was unrivaled in his passion. In 1731, after decades of collecting, Seba commissioned illustrations of every specimen and arranged the publication of a four-volume catalogue. Seba's scenic illustrations, often mixing plants and animals in a single plate, were unusual even for the time. This superb reproduction is taken from a rare, hand-coloured original. The introduction supplies background information about the fascinating tradition to which Seba's curiosities belonged. An absolutely beautiful book. Highly recommended.

416pp      HC           $85.00

Pattern Magic Volume 1

Tomoko Nakamichi

This highly sought-after cult pattern-cutting book from Japan has finally been published in English. Taking inspiration from nature, from geometric shapes and from the street, this book harnesses the sheer joy of making and sculpting clothes. The book takes a creative approach to pattern cutting, with step-by-step projects for fashion designers and dressmakers to enjoy. All the basic information you need to start pattern cutting is included, from the basic block to measurements and scaling. Each project is beautifully illustrated with clear diagrams and photographs showing the stages of construction, the toiles and the finished garments. These easy-to-follow illustrations and detailed instructions make it easy to create stunning, sculptural clothes with a couture look. Highly recommended.

103pp      PB           $45.00

Pattern Magic Volume 2

Tomoko Nakamichi

Pattern Magic 2 is the partner to the original Pattern Magic book (listed above). Inspiring and exciting, this volume takes a creative approach to pattern cutting, with more step-by-step projects for fashion designers and dressmakers to enjoy. These easy-to-follow illustrations and detailed instructions make it simple to create stunning, sculptural clothes. Highly recommended.

104pp      PB           $45.00

Masters: Collage. Major Works by Leading Artists

This superb new book from Lark books The Masters series, offers a stunning look at contemporary collage work from over 40 leading artists. Featuring a breathtaking mix of techniques from traditional cut-and-paste to digital to collage with paint or encaustic, and styles ranging from wildly playful and colourful to evocative, almost monochrome images. Each master takes centre stage in an informative eight-page feature that includes nearly a dozen gorgeous, high-quality photos plus a short essay by curator Randel Plowman placing the impressive work and its creator in context.

335pp      PB           $35.00

Printmaking: A Complete Guide to Materials & Processes.

Beth Grabowski & Bill Fick

Printmaking introduces the student to fundamental printmaking techniques including relief, intaglio, collagraph, lithography, screen print and monoprint and shows how they can be used to achieve cutting-edge results. It also goes into detail on combining digital media with traditional methods, demonstrating how to use the computer as an image-making tool and translate digital images into tangible works of art. Each chapter features clear, step-by-step illustrations plus expanded case studies, and a profile of an international contemporary printmaker. Useful appendices featuring troubleshooting charts, which cover the common problems the beginning printmaker might face, as well as sources for further information. Highly recommended for beginners.

240pp      PB           $49.95

Eco Fashion

Sass Brown

One of the strongest trends in fashion is the expression of ecological, social and community consciousness through for-profit fashion design corporations. This book shows the range of companies making a difference in the area of sustainable design in fashion, exploding the myth that sustainable design is bad design, or at best basic design, by highlighting the range of companies producing desirable and well-designed apparel and accessories with a conscience. It not only demonstrates the range of products available around the globe, but explains the stories behind them and the communities they support, as well as showing how and where they make a difference.

207pp      PB           $55.00

5000 Years of Textiles

Jennifer Harris

5,000 Years of Textiles is an authoritative reference and a visual delight, with examples from the Far East to the Americas, from Africa to Scandinavia, and from Egyptian artifacts dating from 3000 BC to the most up-to-date modern craftwork and furnishings. The book includes an expert guide to nine fundamental textile techniques, from rug weaving and tapestry to felt and bark cloth. Each is clearly explained, using line drawings and close-up colour details from actual textiles, to show how people from many different traditions have made and decorated cloth through the centuries. The breathtaking wealth of illustrations drawn from major collections all over the world includes costumes, period interiors, archival photographs, and a vast range of fabrics, from the simplest handwoven cloths to sumptuous brocades and exquisite embroidery.

320pp      PB           $49.95

The Circus: 1870s - 1950s

Linda Granfield, Dominique Jando, Fred Dahlinger, Noel Daniel

This book brings to life the grit and glamour of the circus phenomenon. Images include photographic gems by early circus photographers Frederick Whitman Glasier and Edward Kelty, many of the earliest colour photographs ever taken of the circus from the 1940s and 1950s, iconic circus photographs by Mathew Brady or Cornell Capa, and little-known circus images by Stanley Kubrick and Charles and Ray Eames. For the first time, contemporary readers can experience the legend of the American circus in all its glory. An absolutely beautiful book.

543pp      HC (slip case)           $130.00

Textiles of the Islamic World

John Gillow

This book surveys the wide array of textiles made, worn, used, and displayed throughout the Islamic world, from the glorious fabrics of the past to those produced today. Hundreds of illustrations feature examples from around the globe. Region by region, the book provides details of local history, particular textile traditions, materials, dyes, special forms of decoration, and information on current practice. The variety is stunning. Over 600 specially taken colour photographs, portraits of weavers in action, and rare archival material complete a remarkable visual panorama. Together with a glossary and a guide to textile collections around the world, this comprehensive survey provides a wealth of information and will be invaluable to anyone interested in the rich art of textiles, costume, or craft.

320pp      HC           $115.00

Beauty in Decay

RomanyWG

Take nothing but photographs, leave nothing but footprints. This is the unspoken rule of urban explorers, who sometimes risk their safety, police records, and even their lives to explore abandoned buildings, sewers and storm drains, transit tunnels, utility tunnels, high-security areas of inhabited buildings, and even catacombs. Urban explorers find the beauty: layers of graffiti by years worth of writers, multi-hued peeling paint, antique objects, physical manifestations of memory that abandoned, impermanent urban spaces can hold. Beauty in Decay features the best in full-color, panoramic photographs from urban exploration around the world. An absolutely beautiful book and a revelation.

192pp      HC           $60.00

Voyages of Discovery

Tony Rice

Voyages of Discovery is a mesmerising visual record of ten of the most significant natural history expeditions. Superb artworks and photographs spanning three centuries document advances and watersheds in the field of natural science. The stories behind these images - of explorers, naturalists, artists and photographers - entwine into a fascinating study of human achievement and natural wonder. The illustrations and artworks contained here form a rare collection, most of which are exclusively presented in this stunning book.

336pp      PB           $40.00

Art Cloth: A Guide to Surface Design for Fabric

Jane Dunnewold

Shows how to layer processes with the latest products to create stunning cloth for use in a variety of fibre art. Following Jane's techniques with step-by-step photography, you will learn to create art cloth using dyes, colour removing agents, paints, and foils, combined through processes that include silk-screen printing, stamping, stencilling and hand painting. In addition to detailed step-by-step wet-media surface design techniques, Jane demonstrates how the use of colour and design contribute to successful layering. Each technique chapter concludes with project ideas for the skills learned. Highly recommended for all those inspired to take their fibre art to the next level.

176pp      PB           $36.00

Found Object in Textiles

Cas Holmes

Explore the elements and popular practice of using found objects in mixed media and textile art with one of the United Kingdom’s most renowned textile artists, Cas Holmes. When applied both for decoration and meaning, found objects can add texture and special accents to your art pieces. Cas Holmes, renowned for her use of “the found” and her many-layered, atmospheric pieces, shows you a wealth of tips and ideas for this technique and showcases how to combine mixed-media and fibre-arts techniques to create art with personal, narrative qualities.

128pp      HC           $40.00

Three-Dimensional Textiles with Coils, Loops, Knots and Nets

Ruth Lee

This is an important book for textile artists looking for new ways of working. It offers three-dimensional designs using the techniques of interweaving, looping, twining, knotting, netting, and coiling, in a variety of materials, from yarn to leather to plastic packing tape. Complete how-to illustrations and diagrams lead the way to constructing interesting textures and forms, and also introduce some innovative embellishments using distressed Tyvek, found objects, seed heads, metal tubes, and much more.

128pp      HC           $40.00

Drawn to Stitch
Line, Drawing, and Mark-Making in Textile Art.

Gwen Hedley

Line is an essential component of all textile and surface art. When used effectively, line and mark-making convey texture, tone, form, movement, and mood. Artist, author and teacher Gwen Hedley shares a series of exercises designed to explore line’s potential as well as develop your creativity. Drawn to Stitch also covers line and mark-making tools, materials, and processes, including printing and mixed-media techniques. Full of inspiring ideas, Drawn to Stitch is illustrated with stunning examples of stitched-textile work from leading artists.

145pp      HC           $40.00

True Vision: Authentic Art Journaling

L.K. Ludwig

True Visions is focused on ways to bring authenticity and meaning into one's art journaling. The book examines themes and topics common to all while offering activities and exercises to create rich meaningful content. Each chapter highlights familiar subject areas such as life events, spirituality, childhood, and even an artist's favourite writings. Within each topic, readers are given guided activities and exercises for developing content, provided artistic techniques, and are shown inspiring examples of work by a variety of talented art journal artists.

144pp      PB           $47.00

1000 Artisan Textiles: Contemporary Fiber Art, Quilts & Wearables

Sandra Salamony & Gina M Brown

This stunning gallery-style volume includes some of the finest examples of contemporary textiles and fibre art being made today. The collection includes wearable art and couture, fashion accessories, soft furnishings and vessels, tapestries, display art, and quilts. A wide variety of techniques are featured, including hand and machine embroidery, decorative stitching, batik, dyeing, fabric painting, appliqué, felt, weaving, and all types of surface decoration. Full-colour photography features both full views as well as close-ups that will allow readers to appreciate the finer details of many works.

320pp      PB           $47.00

The Andy Goldsworthy Project

Molly Donovan, John Beardsley, Martin Kemp, Carolyn Forche and Tina Fisk

The first significant scholarly volume devoted to Goldsworthy's work in nearly twenty years and the first to underscore the permanent output of this acclaimed artist. In 2003 Goldsworthy was invited to create a work of art for the National Gallery of Art. This volume traces the development of the project from conception to completion and situates the artist's sculpture and practice within an age-long tradition of structures. It features the only fully illustrated catalogue documenting Goldsworthy's permanent installations- more than 120 works dating from 1984 to 2008 and spanning three continents, documented in over 300 photographs.

209pp      HC           $90.00

500 Art Quilts: An Inspiring Collection of Contemporary Work

Ray Hemachandra and Karey Bresenhan

A beautiful new addition to the successful 500 series from Lark books. Juried by Karey Bresenhan, one of the most prominent figures in quilting, it presents 500 magnificent contemporary art quilts, made in fabric and other media, and showcasing diverse designs, materials, and techniques. From their very inception, these quilts were destined for display rather than practical use, with an extraordinary quality of image, form, line, and composition. This outstanding international collection will inspire and captivate.

432pp      PB           $35.00

Classic Fashion Patterns of the 20th Century

Anne Tyrrell

Working from surviving garments and contemporary tailoring books and patterns, Anne Tyrrell has put together a pattern book of key 20th-century costumes with fascinating historical details. A decade for each chapter, the book features garments such as war uniforms, a 1930s evening gown, a Teddy Boy outfit, a 1960s maxi coat and many more. Wonderful illustrations of period dress are accompanied by information on notable features, underwear and accessories for each period. Scale patterns follow for each outfit shown, complete with detailed notes on making up, using techniques appropriate to the period. A grid for enlargement of the pattern pieces is provided together with full instructions. This is an essential book for any dressmaker interested in recreating period dress, especially film and theatre costume-makers, but also fashion designers looking for inspiration in authentic historical dress of the recent past.

160pp      PB           $50.00

Contemporary Ceramics

Emmanuel Cooper

Emmanuel Cooper is a celebrated ceramic artist, writer and critic. He is the editor of Ceramic Review and Visiting Professor of Ceramics and Glass at the Royal College of Art, London. This book represents a comprehensive worldwide survey, with over 600 stunning illustrations, of the most distinctive, intensely creative and innovative recent work, ranging from functional objects to the boundaries and possibilities of clay as a medium. Complete with biographies of the featured ceramists and a list of selected art galleries and museums with collections of contemporary ceramics, this comprehensive survey will be an indispensable guide for ceramists, students and collectors alike.

304pp      HC           $65.00

Transparency in Textiles

Dawn Thorne

One of the hottest trends in textile art is achieving transparency and translucency through design and the application of new, harder materials such as acrylic, perspex, acetates, fibre optics, gels, and resins. The introduction of these harder materials - all readily available and safe to use - has taken textile art on to a whole new level. The author explains the whole process, including the use of layering, reflections, shadows, lighting, and stitching. In addition to practical projects such as jewellery and a three-dimensional object, there are images of contemporary transparent textile art to provide inspiration and reveal the possibilities.

128pp      HC           $50.00

Screen Printing: Layering Textiles with Colour, Texture & Imagery. (incl. DVD)

Claire Benn and Leslie Morgan

Screen Printing is a user-friendly, inspirational and how-to book. The 80 pages contain clear step-by-step instructions accompanied by over 100 gorgeous, instructional photographs. Recipes for different media such as thickened dyes and discharge paste are included along with guidance on fabric paints, acrylics and colour mixing. The Project section will enable new users to understand the versatility of a single design and kick start them on their journey into layering textiles. The accompanying 45 minute DVD includes demonstrations from Claire & Leslie and is aimed at helping you further build your technique.

80pp      PB spiral bound           $69.95

Finding Your Own Visual Language: A Practical Guide to Design & Composition

Jane Dunnewold, Claire Benn and Leslie Morgan

A transatlantic collaboration between textile artists Jane Dunnewold, Claire Benn and Leslie Morgan, this books aims to help those who are seeking a surer artistic voice by providing practical exercises and guidance on different ways forward. Both an inspirational and how-to book, its purpose is to act as a guide to accompany artists on their journey. Each exercise is clear, written in plain English and well illustrated with photographs and examples. It is user-friendly enough to encourage beginners to get started and help more experienced artists on their way.

64pp      PB spiral bound           $56.95

Eco Books: Inventive Projects from the Recycling Bin

Terry Taylor

This title contains 40 innovative book-making ideas using recycled and green materials. More than just being environmentally friendly, the projects are also beautiful and clever, stitched together with traditional binding techniques. Egg cartons, wood, beer cans and cassette tapes morph into covers, while brown bags, coffee filters and discarded newspapers are transformed into pages. In addition to how-to drawings, close-up detail photographs and simple stitch diagrams, a gallery of eco-books from an international roster of artists provides inspiration.

144pp      PB           $35.00

Mixed Metal Jewelry Workshop: Combining Sheet, Clay, Mesh, Wire & More

Mary Hettmansperger

In this creative workshop, metal clay, one of the most versatile mediums in jewellery, is combined with traditional metal forms to create fabulous jewellery. Twenty fun projects, easy to follow professional instruction and a gallery of inspirational jewellery show jewellers and general crafters how to combine an easy-to-work material with sheet metal, wire and other embellishments. The result being gorgeous wearable art.

128pp      HC           $35.00

Experimental Textiles

Kim Thittichai

This title provides experimental design ideas as well as experimental textile practice. It offers exercises for design work and projects for finished textiles. Featuring stunning images of work by major textile artists and emerging stars, this is a much-needed book on cutting-edge textile design and practice with experimental design ideas, unusual materials and the latest techniques. The book covers paper, felt, machine embroidery, recycling, hand stitch, working with and combining unusual materials, layering different media, working in three-dimensions and also in large scale. Showcased textiles include quilt art, quirky boxes, cloth dolls and large-scale textile installations - a collection of the best and most exciting textile art today.

127pp      HC           $50.00

Felt to Stitch: Creative Felting for Textile Artists

Sheila Smith

This beautifully produced book sets out to explore the possibilities of surface embellishment on felt. Felt is versatile, easy to make and manipulate and provides the ideal base for surface embellishment. This book shows you how to make your own felt, select and dye your own colours, build unusual textures with felt fibres and further embellishment, and manipulate the