Pages 2/23/12

Here's a fun journal page I worked on last night. Mixed media, collage and paints with copic pens.

Pages 02/12/12

Well, looking better! At least I have a surface to work on. I went to OSH and got some organizer baskets so I can keep things in one place instead of spread or stacked on the desk. Next, work on priming pages in this journal you see.

Pages 2/11/12

OK, when there's no room on the art table to make art you know it's time to clean. My goal this weekend is to make some room on my desk so I can work on the big blank book that's right on the top there. Problem is, all these supplies are essential. Hmm. OK, weell, maybe not the remote control. ;-)

Inspired by Leonard Cohen's "Who by Fire". I love this wonderful song. The imagery and creativity and thought put into the words. Illustration is a play on life and death and mirror reflection.

Paint, henna stencil and pencil drawing.

Left panel is stamped and images from the hipstamatic camera for iPhone were printed on canvas paper and altered. Song is inspired by the Counting Crows, "Round Here". "She has trouble acting normal when she's nervous."

Inspired by Peter Cincotti's, "Always Watching".

Inspired by the Tragically Hip's, "38 Years Old'. "Freezing slow time away from the world
He's 38 years old, never kissed a girl". Beautiful.

Well, I mailed out my book to Amy McDonald last week. I made alot of progress, but still didn't feel like I was done. I guess I can finish it when it finally comes back from the round robin. I received a book on Saturday from one of the artists in the round robin. It's a cool book with images of people who do undesirable jobs like, poop scooper, funeral home cosmetologist. Her theme is the taro, which is pretty interesting. I'll post an image as soon as one is complete. I am about 3/4 through the first spread. I tackled he death card, which works really well with my Day of the Dead artwork. It's Super Bowl Sunday, and a good day to get some art done since I hate football.

Poc Chuc Restaurant in San Francisco.

Graffiti covered van in San Francisco.

Building downtown SF.

City Hall, San Francisco.

Crossing the Golden Gate.

Sculpture at the hotel's garden.

Sculpture at the hotel's garden.

Theater in downtown Sonoma.

Architecture at an old building, downtown Sonoma.

Mission Sonoma.

At the mission in Sonoma.

Chess Garden at the hotel.

Driving in wine country, Sonoma, CA.

Weekend to San Francisco and Sonoma CA. All taken with Hipstamatic on the iphone.

Pages 1/11/12

Photos I took on the Hipstamatic for iphone at the Computer History Museum in Mountain View. There were some awesome old computers. If you are local to the Bay Area and are a bit of a geek, like me – you'll enjoy it. Since when are 'Pac Man' and 'Pong' history? ;-)

Pages 1/7/12

This is a sketch I did on a paper grocery bag. I'm adding it as a tip-in page into the altered book. I find tip-ins a good way to use the doodles I create while on the phone. Some of them can be pretty cool!

Page illustration. My book theme is 'Lyrica Obscura'. The words are 'What shape does the silence have?' This line is from the song, 'The Headphonist, by Kinky.

Altered book pages with collage bordering added.

I am slowly making progress on my altered book. I'm starting to add collage to the borders, and making some tip-ins to add some interesting papers and doodles. It kind of bulks up the book too since I have to have it ready to mail in a few weeks. I'm working on the cover next, trying to figure out a closure that will be adjustable enough to work if the book gets really bulky.

Pages 1/3/12

Preparing the Altered Book. Removing pages, gluing pages, and waiting for them to dry.

Back Cover. I sanded the cover, then painted the book with good acrylic paint and used metallic pens. This isn't done, I'm just getting started!

Interior Page. Working on laying in a strong base for collage. Acrylics, pens.

Interior Cover. The them is 'Lyrica Obscura'. Those gem lyrics that make you stop and think ... and play over and over.

Another Interior Page. Building up colors and layers with paint.

Well, yeah. It's been awhile since I blogged. Sorry. What can I say, my life has been a whirlwind since about October. I do so much on FaceBook these days that I keep forgetting to update the blog. If you're reading this, and you haven't added me on FaceBook, follow the links to the right and catch me there.

So, this is a new project I'm working on. It's an altered book for a Round Robin I am in. I'd kind of forgotten how much work it is to prep these bad boys. Finding the right book, removing pages, gluing pages together, painting the pages ... e-yikes. It's fun though. It def give me a break from ceramics for awhile and it's good to mix it up.

I thought I'd share the process. It's still in early stages, but you might be interested in what steps I'm taking. 

Lessons learned so far? Make sure you pick the right book to alter. Make sure the spine is sewn in, not glued. Take the book and crack the spine really wide. Do you see sewing? It's a good book to alter. Also, check the paper. What's it like? This one has a newsprint finish and it took foreverrrrr to dry. Make sure it has good paper. Test it before you put a ton of work into it. (I didn't. lol.) Anyway, I have it working now, I just had to make sure there were about 3-4 pages glued together for strength.