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Twelve by Twelve: The International Art Quilt Challenge
Twelve by Twelve examines the two-year-long international collaboration between twelve art quilters, during which they created a total of 144 quilts based on twelve different themes. Not only does the book showcase the quilts themselves--a feature quilt from each theme receives an in-depth chapter, written by one of the quilters--it also examines the dynamics of developing a vibrant online community of artists. The result is a very personal and unique blend of technique-based text and discussions on challenge, collaboration, and inspiration.
- GenresQuiltingCraftsNonfiction
176 pages, Paperback
First published March 1, 2011
21 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
July 18, 2023
What challenges you in your art? Inspiration abounds in this book.
Read
March 24, 2011This is another book I received for free, presumably to review since the letter included wasn't very clear, from Lark Books. It is really nice of them to send me books, especially ones that I like.
The book starts with an introduction by Diane Perin Hock, the Healdsburg, California fiber artist who created the textile artist group described in Twelve by Twelve. She discusses how the group started, what inspired her to choose the other artists and how the group works.
It is an interesting group, because it is international, but more so because they came together as a result of Ms. Hock's simple inquiry. They didn't meet in person first. Some of the members have, since, met each other, but an entire group reunion/retreat is still a dream for them.
There are a lot of images in this book, which is wonderful! Each page has at least one, if not two photos. The visuals are wonderful, but it also makes the layout interesting.
The how-to segments are out of the ordinary. There are no quiltmaking basics (YAY!), free motion quilting or cutting rules. The 'projects' in this book are titled "finding inspiration online," "creating time and space for art," and "starting your own challenge group." I really appreciate this publisher allowing the author to think outside the box on this book.
The book is organized around themes and each theme has its own section of the book, where it is explored completely. When introducing each theme, the name or theme word is clearly shown along with a gallery of all of the responses. The artist who thought up the theme has space for a bio, discusses creating her piece and provides information about exploring the theme.
The artists' profiles at the end of the book give context to and additional information about the artists in the book. Amazingly, these profiles do not overlap with the bio information in the theme section. Some have children, some don't. Some have pets, some don't. Some have pets and children. All say that fiber, textiles or both came in to their life in a positive way. One theme among the artist profiles was the way they talked about traditional quiltmaking. There was a lot of disdain for matching points and not acknowledgement of the beauty of the geometry of classic blocks.
YAY! An index! YAY! Some photos of real, working sketchbooks!
There is a lot to like about this book. it is written for grownup quiltmakers. There are lots of pictures. Personal stories and descriptions of process abound. Thanks to Lark Books for having the courage to publish this book, which, I hope, is the first of its types.
Buy it and be inspired.
The book starts with an introduction by Diane Perin Hock, the Healdsburg, California fiber artist who created the textile artist group described in Twelve by Twelve. She discusses how the group started, what inspired her to choose the other artists and how the group works.
It is an interesting group, because it is international, but more so because they came together as a result of Ms. Hock's simple inquiry. They didn't meet in person first. Some of the members have, since, met each other, but an entire group reunion/retreat is still a dream for them.
There are a lot of images in this book, which is wonderful! Each page has at least one, if not two photos. The visuals are wonderful, but it also makes the layout interesting.
The how-to segments are out of the ordinary. There are no quiltmaking basics (YAY!), free motion quilting or cutting rules. The 'projects' in this book are titled "finding inspiration online," "creating time and space for art," and "starting your own challenge group." I really appreciate this publisher allowing the author to think outside the box on this book.
The book is organized around themes and each theme has its own section of the book, where it is explored completely. When introducing each theme, the name or theme word is clearly shown along with a gallery of all of the responses. The artist who thought up the theme has space for a bio, discusses creating her piece and provides information about exploring the theme.
The artists' profiles at the end of the book give context to and additional information about the artists in the book. Amazingly, these profiles do not overlap with the bio information in the theme section. Some have children, some don't. Some have pets, some don't. Some have pets and children. All say that fiber, textiles or both came in to their life in a positive way. One theme among the artist profiles was the way they talked about traditional quiltmaking. There was a lot of disdain for matching points and not acknowledgement of the beauty of the geometry of classic blocks.
YAY! An index! YAY! Some photos of real, working sketchbooks!
There is a lot to like about this book. it is written for grownup quiltmakers. There are lots of pictures. Personal stories and descriptions of process abound. Thanks to Lark Books for having the courage to publish this book, which, I hope, is the first of its types.
Buy it and be inspired.
March 22, 2011
In my heart of hearts this is the sort of challenge I would love to be a part of! I was truly grateful when I was offered the opportunity to review this book. I know several of the artists whose work is beautifully portrayed and I applaud the wonderful job they have all done in the creation of their art and the design of this simply "must have" book.
The book, is course, about the artwork, but it is also so much more. The idea was that twelve themes were chosen and each member of this 12 person group would make a 12 inch X 12 inch interpretation of the theme. All I can say is "WoW"! Themes included things such as chocolate, community, window, passion, shelter etc. The book is arranged so that one page provides small images of all twelve quilts with more in depth information about the quilts on the pages that follow. Each chapter also includes so much more information though - about meeting each other, how they explored the theme, how they approach the design process, their creative spaces and small, significant highlights about the inspiration for their designs.
The book also includes wonderful tutorials,inspirational glimpses, method/process information as well as tips and tricks about the artist's creative tools, paints, brushes and process. I believe that this book will hold great appeal for art quilters and textile artists of course - but also for artists in general because it really highlights the creative process and will spark your own imagination providing you with creative ideas that will apply to whatever medium you choose to work in. You could follow the themes yourself and see what your interpretation would be. Explore the some of the tools and instructions and make them your own. Feast your eyes on the artwork. Sit back, relax and get your creative mojo going!
As with all Lark books, the design of this book is a knock-out. The photographing is perfection. I have to give to Lark. When they do a book- they do it right.
The book, is course, about the artwork, but it is also so much more. The idea was that twelve themes were chosen and each member of this 12 person group would make a 12 inch X 12 inch interpretation of the theme. All I can say is "WoW"! Themes included things such as chocolate, community, window, passion, shelter etc. The book is arranged so that one page provides small images of all twelve quilts with more in depth information about the quilts on the pages that follow. Each chapter also includes so much more information though - about meeting each other, how they explored the theme, how they approach the design process, their creative spaces and small, significant highlights about the inspiration for their designs.
The book also includes wonderful tutorials,inspirational glimpses, method/process information as well as tips and tricks about the artist's creative tools, paints, brushes and process. I believe that this book will hold great appeal for art quilters and textile artists of course - but also for artists in general because it really highlights the creative process and will spark your own imagination providing you with creative ideas that will apply to whatever medium you choose to work in. You could follow the themes yourself and see what your interpretation would be. Explore the some of the tools and instructions and make them your own. Feast your eyes on the artwork. Sit back, relax and get your creative mojo going!
As with all Lark books, the design of this book is a knock-out. The photographing is perfection. I have to give to Lark. When they do a book- they do it right.
October 30, 2011
While I must admit I prefer traditional quilts to art quilts, I found this book fascinating. A group of twelve art quilters, most of whom only knew each other from their on-line blogs, challenge themselves to create 12 12"x12" quilts over the period of two years. Each chapter focuses on one artist and one of her quilts, describing her inspiration and the method she used for creating her quilt.
July 7, 2015
Loved this book and the stories told by each contributor.
August 22, 2016
I saw the 12 by 12 exhibit in Long Beach and have been savoring this book ever since!
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews