{ Little Red Corvette } : 3 x 5 x 1” : Spine View
{{ Little Red Corvette } : 3 x 5 x 1” : Front View
{ Little Red Corvette } : 3 x 5 x 1” : Back View
{ Little Red Corvette } : 3 x 5 x 1” : Binding View
{ Designing Artist Books : September 21-22, 2019 } // Floyd, VA
I will be hosting ‘Designing Artist Books’ at the Floyd Center for the Arts. If you want to learn how to make super funky papers…(or what to do with all those papers taking up space that are too beautiful to throw away), this weekend workshop is for you! In addition to making a TON of vibrant, handprinted papers, we will learn how to use everyday household items as stamps, using our handwriting as pattern, easy collage techniques that make a big impact and more!
{ Handmade Book Challenge } // January 2019
I have been making handmade books for over 10 years. I tend to stick books I am familiar with making so that I can work on my craftsmanship while creating enough product to sell at various stores, galleries and shows. While teaching a class on bookmaking at the local university here in Blacksburg, VA, a friend of mine handed me a book on how to make books. As we combed through the book together, I realized that there were so many books that I had yet to discover! I decided to challenge myself to work from one end of the ‘How To’ to the other. This month, I created the 5 Hole Pamphlet (with inside folder), 5 Hole Pamphlet Do-Si-Do and the Basic Codex.
5 Hole Pamphlet : Front View
5 Hole Pamphlet : Spine View
5 Hole Pamphlet : Inside View with Folder
5 Hole Pamphlet Do-Si-Do : Front View
5 Hole Pamphlet Do-Si-Do : Back View
5 Hole Pamphlet : Front Top View
5 Hole Pamphlet : Back Top View
Basic Codex : Front View
Basic Codex : Spine View
Basic Codex : Back View
Basic Codex : Endcover View
{ INK INSPIRATIONS : PART ONE } : Sketchbooks // Oct-Nov
And the ink experiments carry on! I am working in so many different books at the moment and have no plans to stop any time soon. I am becoming more comfortable experimenting with color and bringing in experimental calligraphy with cola pens. My next step is to go in and add details with gel pens…a step I cannot wait to begin!
{ I RULE MY DESTINY } : A Summer 2005 Art Journal Revisited
I distinctly remember this summer. One of my last true hurrahs while in my 20s. Way too much drinking, smoking and dancing my ass off. I had a great summer with a man I am still in touch with online. Every weekend (and let's be honest...sometimes we bailed on work, too) we would travel to wherever the music was to take it all in. I lived right outside of Asheville, NC at the time, so music and art were easily accessible and we took advantage of it often. We traveled to San Fran to check out a 3 day WSP show, went to Charleston, SC to see Rusted Root and Atlanta, GA to check out Spoonfed Tribe. The music was endless and so were the nights!
In my first art journals, I would burn the edges of my paper prior to gluing them. I did not want the straight edge of cutting but I had not learned to appreciate the wabi sabi of torn edges.
I had not developed my own style yet and was looking in books to copy other artists. At the time, I lived in the middle of nowhere and the internet was not something people had in their homes yet. I do remember this hand drawn guy. I had said, "Gravy, Baby" to a friend of mine who thought I said, "Groovy, Doobie." We thought this was hilarious.
Even back then, I was drawn to weird and freaky images. I have embraced them more as I grow more confident with my style. I think getting older has helped me too. I make art that I like and am not so worried about what others think (or what will sell).
My love of stamps is obvious in my earlier work. The only stamps I use now are handmade and I never use letter stamps. I have grown more confident with my handlettering.
The one and only time I ever used feathers in an art journal spread...
Don't really use the ribbon or fibers techniques either...although I think children would love to use them in their art journals they make with me at camp this summer!
And finally, my life long love, Keller Williams! Have not seen him live in years. I grow more introverted the older that I get and going to large music events with lots of people is not as appealing as it was when I was younger. But the summer of 2005 was a good one.
Does the simplicity of this art journal inspire you? It's small, portable and easy to fill. I am taking a trip to CA this summer to visit family and I think it might be time to try this again...this time with my lovely 6 year old in tow...