3 more books

Still making books from one sheet of paper. Folding and cutting techniques to create different structures.

French Door Book. 

Painted, stamped and doodled paper.

the "french door" is in the middle

here you can see the backside of the paper which has a light wash only.

No content yet ... however, thinking of following the graffiti theme and adding photos of graffiti I've taken on various travels, mainly in Europe.

Meandering book.

Painted and stamped paper both sides

Front view

top view

inside page view

Again, no content yet. Thinking of making it a "map" of my granddaughter's years.

Accordion Book with Pockets

Scrapbook paper 12x12. Folded to create pockets

I created a "belly band" with a complimentary scrapbook paper.

 backside

inside view with pockets which I filled with tags

This is for my son for father's day.

I absolutely love love love making books! Hope you are having a creative day!

One Page Wonders

I'm taking a class with Kiala Givehand. We are making books from one sheet of paper. I'm taking the class because Kiala is a wiz at bookmaking and her videos are good quality. 

This is the first book, an "X" book or 6-page book. You can choose to glue pages to create a book like this or you can leave pages unglued. I wanted to show the back of the paper so I created pockets by just gluing sides and using my circle punch.

For content, I added small photos of flowers and call it "Small Wonders". I also rounded the corners which adds a nice touch. It's quite small 2 3/4 by 4 1/4. Not sure what I'll add to the pockets, perhaps quotes about flowers tucked inside. I'm not happy with the title on the cover (don't like the black on the dark green) ... so I'll be switching that out.

Kiala is not only teaching book structure but also teaching a variety of paper "decoration" techniques. This is using tulip fabric paint to create a sort of "tie dyed" effect. 

Taking this class supports one of my 2015 art goals - to make 50 books. Having a lot of fun with this!

Travel Journal

I recently visited the East Coast and made this travel journal to hold memories. 

I used a Pennsylvania/New Jersey map to create an accordion style book, folding the bottom to create pockets.

The pockets contain photos and ephemera. Some photos have journaling on the back. Washi tape reinforces the borders of each spread. I wouldn't use a map again as it's too light weight.

I love how interactive the book is. However I watched my husband "read" it, holding it in his hands like a real book. It was not "natural" for him to pull things out of the pockets. My daughter, on the other hand, immediately laid it on her lap and knew how to "read" it. It's always interesting to observe others open and "read" books that are interactive.

The cover is a heavy piece of scrapbook paper. There is a sheen that you can't see here. I glued the front and back "pages" to the cover, so it doesn't really open as an accordion.

A bead from my stash and waxed linen creates the closure. I really like the way it turned out. It's a fun structure to capture memories. Thanks to Kiala Givehand and her BIAD series for the inspiration.

Book #3

"Arting is the cure for grumpiness."
~ Jan Jackson

Yesterday was proof of this. I've felt listless and grumpy for days. Yesterday, I pulled out the papers I'd painted in Jill's class and decided to make another book. I painted the reverse sides, using some symbols and watercolor paint. I used a mixed media piece on heavy watercolor paper for the cover, which I also painted on the reverse side. Cut it all to size, put the papers into signatures, sewed them into the spine of the cover and voila! a new book.
So, what is so energizing about this? 1. I love the use of a different "language" - symbols from a different time and culture. Even though I tend to create my own symbols, I use them as a guide and inspiration. The symbols/text become part of the art. Because I don't know the meaning of the text, I am free to create my own story.
2. I'm enjoying working with watercolor paint, experimenting with bleeding and running. On a couple of sheets, I made crayon markings which created a resist - I like that effect. While I don't get the same intensity as acrylic paint, I like the contrast this creates when mixed together in the book.
3. The painting and doodling process is quite meditative. Because I've limited myself to using only half of the watercolor box, I don't need to think much, I can simply paint. Doing this outdoors adds to the meditative quality - the sun, an occasional bird.
4. I love making books - at least simple structure books. I've made several journals but these art books are new to me. I can choose to use it as a journal but think I'll fill it with something else as I did the others. The cover has the word "Happen" on it ... will that guide the story?
5. Speaking of story ... I tend to focus my art on technique and materials. I tend not to work from a place of story. Sometimes a story might evolve, but more often the piece is "just a piece of art" - the story is for the viewer to create. I used poems in the other two books, and I may do that again here. But I think I'll see if a story emerges that wants to be told. I can't wait too long for this story, however, or else it will "just another structure" until text is added and it becomes a book.
So, I felt a 1000% better when I wrapped up my arting session than I did at the beginning of the day. I felt energized, satisfied, fulfilled.

"Make time for art."
~ Doctor's orders

Another book

I used a “scrap” from the Music Maker book to create an accordion book. Using watercolors on the painted paste paper, I drew symbols and figures to create the visual for a story.

I then added this poem by Langston Hughes.

Hold fast to dreams
for if dreams die,
Life is a broken-winged bird
that cannot fly.

Hold fast to dreams
for if dreams go,
Life is a barren field
frozen with snow.

I love this poem and it seemed right for the book.

Jill Berry's Workshop

Last weekend my friends Phyllis and Jody went to San Diego to take a workshop with Jill Berry. This is the second time I’ve taken a class with Jill. She is a delightful teacher and very interesting woman.

In one workshop, we painted papers with a mixture of paste/acrylic paints. I love the way the paint is absorbed into the paper, leaving it velvety and pliable, not sticky and stiff, like with acrylic paints alone.

In the other workshop, called “All the Elements Book”, we created an illustrated page using symbols from a variety of cultures. My symbols are based on the Bamum Script – ideograms invented by King Ibrahim Njoya, the ruler of the Bamum people in Cameroon in 1896. I added some of my own personal symbols as well.

This page was used to create folios for a book made with a wood spine embellished with charms and beads. I added the text today and cover today to finish the book. The text is an excerpt from “Ode” by Arthur O’Shaughnessy.
We are the music makers,
And we are the dreamers of dreams,
Wandering by lone sea-breakers,
And sitting by desolate streams;
World-losers and world-forsakers,
On whom the pale moon gleams:
Yet we are the movers and shakers
Of the world for ever, it seems.



These words speak to me and remind me that for centuries, humans have communicated through symbols and written word, to try and make sense of the world we live in.

Bookmaking with Jill Berry

Last weekend, I had the opportunity to take a wonderful workshop with artist Jill Berry of Colorado. Taskmaster supreme, Jill had us make 13 books in 3 days! What fun we had, painting and folding and cutting papers to make all kinds of creative books structures. Jill’s mom, Jody, is one of my creative friends and it was delightful to spend the weekend in this class with her. Ojai is a neat artsy town north of LA, filled with art galleries and shops. The workshop was at Artful Living, a historical house with a stop filled with goodies. The residential area is used for art workshops. Margarita Marv served margaritas at 5pm each day, which we enjoyed on the porch. A nice end to a day of arting. Here are pictures of some of the books I made.

Hop over to my other blog for a story of my creative process as I created one of the books.