Textile Maps.

Image: Generation.

This is very cool, textile maps of the textile arts of various parts of Pakistan, which has a rich heritage when it comes to textile art.

Pakistani clothing company Generation has found a clever way to remind us how much textile art can demonstrate the richness of culture. Their textile map of Pakistan, which uses native embroidery techniques to mark different regions, has become a viral sensation, with more than 20,000 shares on Twitter.

From traditional Swati embroidery to the balochi taanka stitch, the map is a beautifully visual way to explore Pakistan’s cultural heritage. And this isn’t the first textile map to catch our eye. Generations may have been inspired by Craftsvilla, India’s largest online ethnic store, which put out their “fabric tour of India” several months ago. Using a similar concept, the map explores different hand-woven textiles by Indian state.

And if you really want to delve into things, Craftsvilla also breaks out each state and its respective textile, giving a little historical insight across the country. Certainly, both maps are a good reminder of how traditional textiles and textile art help shape culture across different countries.

You can read and see much more at The Met.

Basilisk, Carrying On.

Getting back to work on the basilisk. The white is just gesso. In today’s art assistant tales: Vala takes a break from trying to burrow down the back of my jeans, to get a drink of paint water, then she dunks her whole effing head in the water, then shakes all over. Sorry, I didn’t get pics ’cause the card wasn’t in the camera. Clickety for full size.

© C. Ford, all rights reserved.

A Bare Beginning.

I have had an absolutely splendid day, it’s always amazing when the overwhelming weight of pain is lifted for a bit. That said, the sore and tender is seriously setting in from all the injections, so time to rest. These aren’t going to be near as quick as the horses. And, no, the colour is not as toneless as it looks, flash photography.

© C. Ford, all rights reserved.

‘Twill Be Birds.

Yesterday was Pain Clinic, and I took a moment to moan to my pain management person, who is always a delight to see, about feeling ambivalent over the flip side of the cutting board. I could do more horses, that’s what Rick likes best, but I haven’t been able to settle. So, yesterday, in my moaning, I said “what do you think about birds?” She liked the idea of birds, and so did I. Then it occurred that gives me the chance to go Medieval. I have a great and abiding love for Medieval Bestiaries, and there are some great ones, oh, they are all fabulous. This allows me to take liberties with colour, too. I’ve chosen about 18, whether or not they’ll all make it, I don’t know, but for sure, at least one version of a Simurgh will go up. Now I’m properly excited again.