In a perpetual state of change...

I came across this quote some time ago on another's soul stirring blog. It resonated instantly then, even more so today as I work to embrace my soul-sojourn journey. It will be a prompt for an upcoming visual journal entry... perhaps the first entry into a new journal meant specifically for the chapters/seasons of my life and all the changes that are unraveling.

This journal I just finished may just be the perfect choice. I made it recently as a demo for one of my book making workshops. The cover is a one of my monotype prints that I printed on the etching press dad made, and then drew over the top of the print with ink and colored pencil. I sealed it with wax so that it would be more durable for the cover.

The fun continues!!!

The first class was so much fun that I decided to teach the Visual Art Journaling Book Making class again, not just once but TWO more times. The April 21st class filled instantly, but there is still room in the April 28th class!!! 

Here are some pics from the first class! 

Some REALY beautiful books were created that weekend. :)

"for better, for worse"

 "for better, for worse"

8"x8" deep edge canvas

mixed medium - collage, acrylic, image transfer

This is the 4th year I have donated a piece of art to the local Valentine for Aids Silent Art Auction which benefits SNAP (Safety Net For Aids Program). I enjoy coming up with a "Valentine" themed piece of art, I enjoy seeing all the other "valentines" created by local artists, I enjoy knowing that my little piece of art was bid on and bought with love, but this year is a bit different... this year I didn't really want to let it go. It was personal... whispering thoughts from my core...holding symbols, ideals, needs and yearnings... things that the future owner will never know or understand. I will be making another, for me.




The following are past years donated art:

"the hearts wishes"

8"x12" hand-bound photo album

mixed medium 

2007

"fly away home"

4"x5"x2" hand-bound photo album

mixed medium - hand-made paper, letterpress, linocut

2009

"twitterpated"

8"x10"

mixed medium - india ink, watercolor, colored pencil, graphite

2010

Yes, I am aware that I have included birds every year for this event. I haven't figured out exactly what all my personal symbolism is, but having a bird reference in general seems to be abundant in a lot of my personal art.

My 2010 Visual Journal is finally done!

It is the beginning of February and I have finally finished binding my new journal. This is the first year I have had a handmade journal to work in. I made it larger than what I've used in the past. I like the paper (140# hot-press), but it will take some getting used to since it has a lot more tooth than the smooth drawing paper that I've become accustomed to. I'm also going to have to get used to the larger size. I have a feeling that the illustrations may take me longer than usual... or else I'll have to loosen up even more to speed up the process. This should be an interesting year of experimentation.

 

It is hard to see from any of these photos, but the 1st and last 3 signatures are wrapped with the same antique looking blue/teal floral paper that are used for the end-pages which sets off the blue/teal shadows in the clown on the cover. The two middle signatures were left white.

 

  

Binding: a version of the french twist plus a coptic headband, the corduroy ribbons are sandwiched between two book boards which I love because it gives the covers a nice hefty feel. 

 

closure detail ~ hand crocheted and then braided 

Valentine’s for Aids ~ Silent Art Auction

 

Twitterpated

graphite, ink, watercolor, colored pencil

8"x10"

Yesterday I nervously submitted my art work for this year's Valentine's for Aids Silent Art Auction. I say nervously because it will be the first time I have submitted a piece that wasn't a handbound book. This will also be the first time I have unleashed a combination of my two different styles of drawing: the very photo realistic pencil drawing & my more whimsical ink/watercolor/colored pencil style that I reserve for my visual journals. I am not sure how it will go over in the Boise area, I can not begin to guess what others are going to like or hate. It might turn out to be a total flop... or someone may even bid on it. I guess I will find out come Wednesday.

This year rather than a book, I decided to draw an image of a concept I have been toying with for a few months. The idea of loving and wanting another without the love being reciprocated or perhaps even acknowledged. Dispite these circumstances, she has a hard time letting go of the harbored feelings she carries so close to her heart.

This is the 3rd time I have participated in the event. The first time was back in 2007. I find it ironic that all three pieces include a black bird. There is just something about the crow and raven that fascinate me, I was once told that the crow was one of my animal totems. Makes perfect sense to me. The redwing black bird has been a favorite of mine since childhood. Everytime I hear one singing and chattering I am immediately transported back to the country fields that surrounded me as a child.Their song holds a great comfort for me.

Hearts Wishes

mixed media, hand bound photo album

2007

  

Fly Away Home

mixed media, hand bound book, hand made paper

2009

Mom's new sketchbook

, originally uploaded by rightside.

Handbound Sketchbook for my mother. Lets hope it inspires her to rekindle her talents. :)

closure detail

closure detail
Originally uploaded by rightside

sneak peak at a little project I've been working on this week.

inside1

inside1
Originally uploaded by rightside

Cover - acrylic collage, found baseboard wood, Coptic binding with headband
Inside - handmade straw and seed paper, linoleum block print, handset letterpress type and image blocks

This is PART of my final project for the class I took this past semester. The finish project consists of a handmade container that protects various objects that remind me of "home" and the life cycle of ones childhood home. I'll post the work as a whole as soon as I complete the container. ;-)

inside front cover

inside front cover
Originally uploaded by rightside

spine

spine
Originally uploaded by rightside

facelift

facelift
Originally uploaded by rightside

So I have tired of my plan old black covered sketch book journal, and decided to tear apart the two sketch books I filled this year. I have sewn them together into one big book block and am working on creating a facelift for the cover. I'll keep you posted on the progress. ;-)

inside2

inside2
Originally uploaded by rightside

Cover - acrylic collage, found baseboard wood, Coptic binding with headband
Inside - handmade straw and seed paper, linoleum block print, handset letterpress type and image blocks

This is PART of my final project for the class I took this past semester. The finish project consists of a handmade container that protects various objects that remind me of "home" and the life cycle of ones childhood home. I'll post the work as a whole as soon as I complete the container. ;-)

Book 2 of Day 1 workshop

Book 2 of Day 1 workshop
Originally uploaded by rightside

Origami book cover....

These were easy and fun to do. Everyone had their own versions. Mine was the only "odd" shaped one though...

Book 2 of Day 1 workshop

Book 2 of Day 1 workshop
Originally uploaded by rightside

Origami book inside

Day 1 of the bookbinding workshop. I plan on painting the inside.

Book 3 of Day 2 workshop

Book 3 of Day 2 workshop
Originally uploaded by rightside

Ethiopian Coptic w/ headband

my first try: took us (12 of us) 6 hours to complete on the second day of the workshop. It isn't very fancy but I am thrilled to have learned how to sew the binding for future projects...

Heart’s Wishes Valentine

Heart’s Wishes Valentine
Originally uploaded by rightside

acrylic on hard board panel

Just finished the cover illustration for the photo album book that I am creating for the Valentine's 4 Aids silent art auction. Now I just need to attached the hinges, bind it and deliver it tomorrow.

Transfered this quote to the inside page:
His presence demands, cries out for, compassion and generosity toward existence itself. — Howard Norman

One Myth about the Crow:
A romantic soul couldn't hope for anything better than seeing a crow, because it means the heart's wishes will be fulfilled. The only tricky part is that the bird has to be flying from the southwest at sunset.

The Heart's Wishes Valentine - cover

The Heart's Wishes Valentine - cover
Originally uploaded by rightside

looks like there is a wide space on the cover where the hinge is, this is just because the cover is opened up in order for it to stand upright. When closed the cover fits tight against the spine.

The Heart's Wishes Valentine - inside

The Heart's Wishes Valentine - inside
Originally uploaded by rightside

to protect the photographs from touching the other photos on the previous page all the pages in the album are separated with these lacey rice paper pages. This one has a quote by Howard Norman transferred onto it.

process

process
Originally uploaded by rightside

process

process
Originally uploaded by rightside

Making a photo album to submit for the Valentine's For Aids Silent Auction