All my design work begins with a line.  It’s how I build, construct and create my designs.

But there’s one area of line I usually ignore – for no good reason.

We all know the power and potential in a simple line – expressing emotion and mood, conveying texture, form, depth and space as well as creating pattern and focal point.

So, when line offers the faculty to converse with our audience – almost instant understanding and communication – that’s something that shouldn’t be ignored.

If you’d like to re-acquaint yourselves with the benefits of line in textile and fibre art, go to my YouTube channel for my episode Line: The Great Multitasker.

Text in art is one area I just adore when used cleverly, and the genre of typography/graphic art or word art – I’m not even quite sure which it actually is, is a clean, clever, simple visual tool.

Now I’m no expert, but to me, this’s an area well worth further investigation for textile and fibre art.  Check out my Pinterest board – Writing: Typography to get an instant understanding of what I’m talking about.

So I’m setting myself a task to come up with three examples for this blog post – just to prove to myself I can do it.  The easy part is creating it in stitch.  Let’s just see how I go.

W.blog.1.cathyjackcouplandThis might just be a different way to express a theme, make a comment or simply draw attention – and I’m thinking large, impactful work here – at least 1 metre by 1 metre or larger.  Make it in bright, contrasting colours – now that would really make a statement in an exhibition.

I can’t explain why I’m so fascinated with text – especially when used in textile and fibre art.  I think it’s that instant communication and understanding that the written word offers.  Add to that some clearly expressed, uncomplicated graphic art and I think we’re onto a winner.

How and when I’d ever use it, I have no idea.  All I know is that this is another use for a line to communicate with the viewer, create eye appeal and garner attention.

And I’m all for that.

cathy jack coupland