{ 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!

{ PAPERIE } : Reflection on the Black House Show //

The Opening Reception of my solo show { PAPERIE } happened one week ago in my adopted home town of Blacksburg, a small, rural, mountain town located in southwestern Virginia. I am a process person. Rarely can I take in information and quickly process it. I have to take the experience away and chew it on it. This experience was no different. I am truly humbled by the family and friends that came to view my new body of work. Work that took me over 6 months to create. A body of work that I feel is my most compelling to date. A body of work that will continue to evolve as I bring the book to the wall, continue to push my artistic boundaries and challenge what people think can be done with paper.

"PSYCHEDELIA" This is my second 16 Blocks installation and was inspired by the late Rex Ray.

"WANTING" is a 22 x 11" collage made with upcycled and reclaimed paper, acrylic paint, oil pastels and gel pens.

"BROKEN" is a 22 x 11" collage made with upcycled and reclaimed paper, acrylic paint, oil pastels and gel pens.

"MOUNTAIN SUNRISE I" is a 16 x 20" collage on wood panel made with handmade and handpainted papers, acrylic paint and ink sprays. This is an older work from 2014 that was inspired by the Appalachian Mountains that surround me. I have lived here for 10 years and am still awed by their beauty,

"WONDER" is an altered book spread featuring the lyrics of Loudon Wainwright III's 'Therapy'

"ROOTS" is an altered book that I decided to display for the first time at this show. It is made from reclaimed papers, acrylic paints, oil pastels and gel pens.

"MOUNTAIN SUNSRISE II" is a 16 x 20" collage on wood panel made from handmade and handpainted papers, acrylic paint and spray ink. This piece is part of a collection from 2014 and my most favorite from the collection.

"SUCKER PUNCH" is a 12 x 12" paper collage on wood board with acrylic paints, oil pastels and gel pens.

"MONSTER" is a 10 x 10" paper collage on wood board featuring my handpainted papers including rust prints and fern discharge on black Bristol board. The next 4 pieces are part of a series I plan on continuing to add to over the next two years. It is inspired by Larry Bell's 'Fractions.'

"MELTING AWAY" is a 10 x 10" paper collage on wood board.

"ALONE" is a 10 x 10" paper collage on wood

"INVISIBLE" is a 10x 10" paper collage on wood using one of several favorite color combinations red and purple!

"GUARDIANS" (SOLD) is a series of 12, 4 x 4 x 1" canvas blocks made using found paper collages, tissue paper, acrylic paints and gel pens. They were inspired by the work of Roxanne Coble, my favorite contemporary mixed media artist. The following images are from the collection.

Several of my pieces were unable to be hung due to mature content. After the show is over, I will be taking pictures of the pieces that were created as a series as well as continuing to add pieces.

WHAT HAVE YOU BEEN WORKING ON LATELY? WHO ARE YOUR SOURES OF INSPIRATION? I would love to hear all about them!

{ 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...

{ ART JOURNAL MEGA PACKS } //

I have been dreaming of making ART JOURNAL MEGA PACKS for a while now. After delivering my show to the Black House (pictures to be included in an upcoming blog post...I want to wait for my Opening Reception to happen on June 2nd fro 5-7 pm), I finally made a true commitment to get these monster packs made and listed on my Etsy shop by Monday, May 22nd. But I just could not wait. These mega packs are over 1.5 lbs and are brimming with items to begin your art journal or to add to your collection. Take your creativity to the next level!

Aren't they too cute? I am definitely in LOVE. Now...back to the studio to make MORE packs and inspired play in my art journal!