Kaffe Fassctt is variously described as ‘a brilliant colourist’ and ‘the genius of the knitting needle’. After publishing four bestselling books, he finally brings his many admirers a book that he himself would have liked to have found at the beginning of his designing career. He has drawn together a stunning collection of design sources which cannot fail to inspire amateur as well as professional decorative artists. Always keen to draw more and more embroiderers and knitters into the exciting realm of design, Kaffe has tirelessly encouraged those who read his books, hear his lectures, or watch his television series to design their own textiles. The simple crafts of needlepoint and knitting, we are told, are well within our reach.
The secret of unique personal design is the use of generous amounts of colour. Fired by Kaffe’s contagious enthusiasm and wanting to have a go, many have asked where he finds his source material.
In his Glorious Inspiration, Kafec brings together a panoply of subjects from the natural world depicted in a range of media. Although the sources included are primarily highly- defined and colourful paintings, Kaffe has also chosen international examples of detailed ceramics, stone floors, bcadwork, mosaics and textiles. Each and every source would translate stunningly into a needlepoint design and most would also inspire unending motifs and colour combinations for knitting.
While encouraging everyone to forget their inhibitions about using colour and to attempt their own designs, Kaffe illustrates the book with his own needlepoint and knitting interpretations of some of the sources.
Painstakingly chosen over two years, the resulting selection of fine and applied art makes an impressive array of design sources. The book is a valuable lesson from an accomplished colourist in how to first ‘see’ and then ‘use’ colour. Stitchers, knitters, decorative artists and even contemporary fine artists will profit from and delight in the often breathtaking works within the pages of Glorious Inspiration. The book would also provide an awe-inspiring introduction to the world of visual art for the novice.