Altered Book Project

One of the many things I'm working on at the moment is an Altered Book project, with a group of like-minded paper lovers.  This is the first time I've tried altered books.  I get to work on someone's book for a month, usually with a set theme.

This month I've been working on Jenni's book.  She has no theme, so its totally up to me what I do with the pages of her Sherlock Holmes detective story book.  I decided on a retro theme using vintage sewing patterns, see the image below.  I was inspired by a recent project led by Jenni making baskets from paper patterns.  I hope Jenni enjoys my "Sherlock Holmes Fashion Investigation" and my weird sense of humour....

Also pictured are some retro pattern magazines I picked up for 50cents at an Opportunity Shop this morning, I can't wait to start chopping them up for book pages and other fantastic paper projects.

Books, books, books

Lately I've been revisiting some book sewing styles that I learnt with Adele at The Studio West End.  The book in this photo is 'my version' of the celtic weave - I'm not sure if its textbook perfect but it looks great all the same.  The texts by Keith Smith were very helpful to guide me through the stitches.

Homage to the Seed

I've been asked by Sophie Munns, 2010 Artist-in-Residence at Mt Coot-tha Brisbane Botanic Gardens to join with other bloggers to create a postcard artwork for her open studio week from 12 July.

My postcard features a monotype I printed during my art residency at Coochiemudlo Island in April.  The monotype was inspired by the morning kajak trips that Cathy and I made through the mangrove forests surrounding Coochie.  Often we would see the mangrove seed pods floating by, which made me speculate about the journeys these pods make on the tidal currents within Moreton Bay.  Within the monotype there are mangrove seedings, the moon influencing the tides and ocean currents, and floating lines representing the journey of the seed pods.

Magical Monotypes Workshop - a creative success!

Yesterday I led an enthusiastic group of artists into the wonderful world of printmaking - together with my press 'Thumper' we created monotypes using plants, stencils, lace and lots of ink!

I was overwhelmed by the number of beautiful images they created - the hall was covered from top to bottom with their prints.  My 2 drying racks just couldn't cope with the creative outpouring!

And thanks to my wonderful assistant, Jan (my mum!) the day went smoothly with lots of 'ooooohhhs' and 'aaaahhhs' over delicious colourful prints.   And those prints that didn't quite work will be excellent starting points for embellishment with stamps, text and drawing.

Thanks to everyone for a great day!

Creativity and Routine

In the past few weeks since my Japan trip I have been contemplating creativity and the work-art balance. 

All of my life my brain has been working hard at being logical doing office work.  But now I am trying to 're-train' it to focus more on my creativity and the conceptual.  Not easy!

I am working on a new art routine.  Just like my routine of getting up in the morning (shower, breakfast, feed chickens), my art needs to become a state of consciousness, a flow state that seems more normal and everyday rather than something I'm constantly trying to get my head around.

I am beginning by splitting my art practice into 2 parts - processes/techniques and concepts/ideas. 

Processes and techniques are fed by my 'logical' brain and are strong and well-developed.  I enjoy 'doing'. 

However, I need to spend more time on my concepts and ideas.  I find this 'thinking' part of my practice the hardest to concentrate on.  I need to slow down and spend time thinking about where I am going with my art, what I am trying to say, and get some depth into the 'why' of my art practice.

Wish me luck!

Tokyo Creative Expedition

Today I have returned from spending a week in Tokyo exploring Japan's creative side.  I had a wonderful time wandering up and down floors of craft and art supply outlets, admiring the wares in traditional craft museums, watching artisans at work etc.  And you can't beat people watching in Tokyo - another very creative and eye-opening experience!

This was our third visit to Japan, and although Craig and I were very foot sore by the end of each day, we enjoyed our holiday immensely.  Lucky for me, we packed very lightly so I could fit in all my art purchases for the journey home!

My favourite shop was Sekaido, with 6 floors of art supplies and stationery - each floor being equivalent in size to one Brisbane Oxlades or Eckersleys shop.  Consequently the product range was mind blowing!  I was so overwhelmed with excitement I had to visit the shop twice to absorb everything.  VERY addictive and the poor credit card got a good workout!

Other great shops were Okadaya, Itoya, Loft, Yuzawaya, and Bingoya.  The Paper Museum in Oji was also very interesting and I was able to try paper making Japan-style.

Jill Brose Basketry Workshop

A few years ago I did a basketry workshop with Jill Brose, who is an experienced fibre artist with exhibitions nationally.

She is running another workshop in July, so I thought I would give her a 'plug' on my blog!

DATE: Sunday 18th July 2010

VENUE: FIBRECRAFT HOUSE, 12 Payne St, Auchenflower
FEE: $70 (includes materials)

"No experience required - only enthusiasm. This informal and flexible workshop, encourages you to express your own creativity, to make baskets from plant materials, many of which are found in your own gardens.

Two baskets will be woven in the day so that you will learn two very different methods of weaving a basket.
The workshop will commence with a talk on the different fibres suitable for our craft. How to collect, store and soak them before weaving."

For more information: Phone Jill 3369 8367 or Email: jillbrose@gmail.com

Magical Monotypes Workshop

I've finally managed to organise my Magical Monotypes Workshop on Sunday 27 June!

I can't wait to share my monotype experience with others.  I'm sure they'll get sooooo excited when they start seeing the wonderful images they can create using plants, stencils, netting, string, lace etc.  Some of the ladies who have already booked for this workshop did my previous one in January.

We will be using my portable printing press ‘Thumper’ to produce the prints.  During the workshop I plan to also demonstrate how to develop layers and detail as well as printing by hand using brayers and other tools.  I didn't get time to cover this in the previous workshop.

My Mum has volunteered to be my assistant so it should give me plenty of time to give advice and keep the ink flowing.  It should be a very fun, creative day if not a little frantic and chaotic!  Lets hope there's not too much 'queue' rage at the press....... :-)

Lost and Found

During my week at Coochiemudlo Island in April, I worked on pages for an artists book.  I ended up making 2 books in a series I entitled "Lost and Found". 

The prints and text were inspired by the diversity and fragility of the island's tidal mangrove environments.

The books are not bound, with the 16 prints contained in a clam-shell box.  I wanted to allow the viewer an interactive experience - they can re-order the pages to discover their own visual version of 'Coochie'.

tidal place

tidal time

retreat, surge

drifting

estuarine
flooded forest
diamond light
dancing across the water

subtidal
beach drift
wanderings in the sand
bleached remnants

beneath
lazy water shadows
mud, cool, mud
primeval aroma

reflections
skimming the surface
shifting patterns
of sand and time

ocean currents
transient presence
breathe in
breathe out

sun-bleached
skeletal vestiges
two worlds
above and below

tidal scars
exposed
tracks and trails
ephemeral

Australian Book Arts Journal

I've been featured in the first edition of this local publication, Australian Book Arts Journal.  For the article, I was interviewed by the publisher and editor, Linda Douglas - we discussed my art career, influences, and working ethics. The article spans 6 pages, including photos, some colour.

Linda found me through my Traffic Signal Box artworks around northern Brisbane.

Australian Book Arts Journal was launched at the 5th Australian Artists' Book Forum at Mackay earlier this month.  Linda will be publishing the magazine quarterly and is available by subscription.  Linda's email is theraggededge@hotmail.com.

There are some very interesting articles about galleries, artists and artist books - in Linda's words "this journal is about people and their life's work, their inner thoughts and their soul."