Blog

Artist Book

7/25/2021

Today, I finished an artist book that is kind of like a junk journal but more like a more "finished" book, using pre-printed pages from artist Tim Holtz. You can use any paper in your stash but you need double-sided pages to be the most successful.

The ideas for each page came from Cori Dahman and I followed her instructions (with some changes as I messed up) as she showed her process.

I had a wonderful time and learned several new techniques.

Combining paper with fabric and lace obviously was appealing but the complexity of her layering also intrigued me.

Of course, I intend to make more "chunky" artist books but will begin adding my own "twist" to each page.

If you are looking to create with paper & lace, check her out!

Japanese Images & Lettering

7/17/2021

I've always been drawn to Japanese art. Some of the art is very sparse and some is very detailed like the drawing above.'

A friend of mine collected some old, hand bound Japanese booklets and she shared them with me today.

I scanned some pages and will try to print the images out on some deli paper so I can collage these into my journals.

My friend suggested using deli paper to print on but getting that through a printer is a challenge. She recommended lightly gluing the top edge of the deli paper to copy paper and then feeding it into the printer. I'll try this but my friend is an expert at manipulating digital images and printing on all sorts of substrates -- including fabric!

I've already screwed up by scanning these images as a pdf instead of jpg. Oh well, I can redo everything tomorrow. An artist's life is fixing mistakes!

Rolodex Book

7/10/2021

Here is a different version of my Rolodex Book Series.

Each page is collaged with the same materials and design. Then they are glued together to form pockets.

I found quotes about being a woman that I liked and I printed them into a size that would fit into the pocket. I laminated them so people could lift the quotes out of the pocket, read them, and re-insert them without damaging the book. I love the interactive nature of these small books.

This book has a title -- "She believed she could, so she did"

I think I will make more of these if I can find these smaller Rolodex platforms.

Make your Own Tools

6/27/2021

I love making my own tools for mark-making.

Here is a photo of the ones I'm using this week (although I have several drawers full of the ones I've made in the past and still use.)

Whenever you buy something, look at the packaging. 4 of the tools shown above are a result of re-purposing packaging: a cardboard circle from some tape, a Starbucks sleeve protecting hands from the heat, a support for some glue sticks and packaging for some pills. One, I made myself from foam sheets cut and wrapped into a "brush". One, I got from a friend (sequin waste), and one was something that came in a box as "packing material".

I'm going to make another addition to my collection using a pastry roller this time. Check out this video to see if you can make something yourself!

Using your own tools makes your art so personal. I encourage you to make your own set of "artist tools"!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mqwdW0a9Ms0&t=4s

Coaster Board Books

6/20/2021

I love board books so I decided to make my own.

If I were going out to bars right now, I would be scrounging coasters from everywhere, but I'm not, so I found a source to purchase some 4" x 4" coasters.

Since these were white, I didn't have to gesso them to cover up the ads. I attached the "pages" with white paper tape and then used gel medium to glue down some crinkled tissue paper on both sides.

I'm experimenting with some new acrylic paint and also mixing colors on the different "books". Sometimes, I glue some fabric down as well.

When weighted down, these books are sticking together so I have to figure that piece out after trying some varnish and that didn't work.

But that what making art is to me -- solving puzzles!

Finding My "Painting" voice

6/12/2021

When I started exploring fiber art 12 years ago, it took me 5 years to find my unique "voice". That included a LOT of experimenting and to see how I could work in this medium and enjoy every minute. There were days when I just got frustrated and hated everything I made. But I kept on working.

Now that I have transitioned into mixed media I'm finding the same frustrations. I still incorporate fabric and thread into most of my pieces but learning the properties of paint (acrylic and watercolor) has continued to be a challenge.

This week, after taking a free class from Louise Fletcher, I finally found my "voice" for painting. And, I'm having fun which is my bottom line for being an artist.

I can't wait to continue exploring this new way of painting and using all my mark-making tools in addition to my paints to make abstract art.

Now I know where I'm going I will start incorporating more textures into my work while remembering "less is more". So opposite from how I have approached my art in the past where I believed "more is more"!

Ocean Alchemy — Alisa Burke

5/30/2021

My take on seaweed.

Before I left for Florida, I signed up to take a course from Alisa Burke. It is called "Ocean Alchemy". I thought that would be a perfect fit. Also, it was only $15 for 30 short videos. A bargain!

Alisa is more of an illustrator than a painter and that fits my style exactly. She simplifies shapes and marks to their essence, giving people a sense of what they are seeing, not an exact replica.

While in Florida, I didn't really have everything I needed away from my studio so just concentrated on making backgrounds in my sketchbooks. During this time I learned two things. One — you can watercolor and paint with acrylics in a cheap student notebook and that took away all my issues with painting in expensive journals or on watercolor paper. (So freeing!) and two — using matte acrylic paint eliminates the issues with pages sticking together. (I didn't know there even WAS such a paint!)

So now, I have the freedom to truly experiment in my cheap sketchbook, and improve it in my regular sketchbook, and, if inspired, I can improve it further in one of my expensive sketchbooks. I like seeing the progression and learning from my mistakes. Of course, there are no mistakes, right?

Birds

5/23/2021

I've never been a good illustrator or a person who could draw something from nature. but I'm actually going to try next week because of this photograph I took on the beach.

I'm devoting a journal to capturing my experiences at the beach this month. It will take a while since I'm still just working on the backgrounds with watercolor and acrylics.

But this heron captured my imagination. So majestic. So snow white. And how do those knees bend the wrong way???

I'm back in Denver and missing the sounds of the ocean so what better way to spend my time than to re-capture everything from the past weeks.

After un-packing, that is.

On the Beach

5/18/2021

This is definitely not a beach photo.

But it is planted at the beach condo we are renting and obviously can survive beach conditions. I loved the colors so this will be an inspiration for my art in the future.

The palette here is all neutrals, blues and greens. I'm more of a vibrant colorist so it's hard for me to get inspired here.

It's also hard to make art when my days are spent at the ocean instead of at my studio. But I'm thinking I needed a break in any case. I am interested to see how my art changes when I get back to Denver.

A Change of Scenery

5/11/2021

I'm on vacation. Finally.

I grew up on Long Island so the beach was where I spent most of my summer weekends. So vacation, to me, means going to the beach.

I find it hard to concentrate on making art when I spend the day listening to the compelling sound of the ocean waves, sitting under an umbrella, and reading fun books.

But I brought lots of art supplies with me and my mission today was to find some shells and use the color of those shells to paint a watercolor background in my journal.

I'm also taking a 30 day class from Alisa Burke called, aptly enough, Ocean Alchemy. While she is inspired by the west coast, I'm inspired by the east coast. It will be interesting to see the difference our art journals will be. Certainly, the palette will be quite different as well as the flora.

You can check out her classes here
https://www.shopalisaburke.com/collections/online-classes