marian Jazmik -Textures From Nature in Textile Art; published by batsford books

 
Anyone who has seen Marian Jazmik’s incredibly detailed and organic dimensional pieces will have been hugely excited to read her first book.  First of all, her huge enthusiasm for stitch, nature, textiles and experimentation makes this a wonderful read for anyone sharing these interests.  I immediately felt drawn to Marian’s way of thinking upon reading that she comes back from holiday with hundreds of pictures of rocks and rusting objects and very few of her family.  It’s nice to know you aren’t alone…
 
I like Marian’s approach to her materials and how to get what she wants from them.  She uses tools that a reader who has been following experimental textiles are most likely to have – soldering iron, heat gun, glue wire, wire and pliers and she gives a good foundation to using these her way.  She then features the themes that we are most likely to have thousands of photos on our phones of, including trees, foliage and funghi.  These are all the things giving us the textural inspiration that we need.  And by showing us how she achieves her finished pieces using these as a starting point, it gives the reader a clear vision of how we can do the same.  We can see inspirational photos and samples created and you are offered some more ideas with ‘What if…’ suggestions.  Finished pieces show us how different materials and techniques can be combined to create dimensional works.  There are a lot of different pieces for you to see how these can be combined and worked upon with many outcomes.
 

Over the Edge by Marian Jazmik; photography by Michael Wicks; published by Batsford books

​I did enjoy the Lichen section as the pieces here were so light and ethereal.  Mainly monochromatic or using muted tones, these pieces were rich and complex.  Threads and beads add to the texture and these are pieces you could study for hours and always find something new and interesting about it.
 
Similarly for the Seedhead section, the natural forms which inspire the pieces give way to beautiful spherical work that are perfectly constructed.  Having been able to see these in all their glory (courtesy of the exquisite photography by Michael Wicks), I have a new found admiration for Marian and her work.  For those who would like to start with their own inspiration images taken from nature and don’t know where to start, there is so much to learn from this book.  It’s a very exciting book that will have you rummaging through your drawers, heat g​un in hand and finding a new use for all sorts of everyday items.

Texture from Nature in Textile Art is published by Batsford books and thank you to them for allowing me to reproduce the photos for this review; photography by Michael Wicks

Lichen on Rock Vessels (1 & 2) by Marian Jazmik; photography by Michael Wicks; published by Batsford books