Spine poetry

Susan Gaylord mentioned a challenge on her blog recently and I jumped right on it and sent link and challenge off to friends.  If you follow this link to her blog, I won't need to explain it all here.    It all has to do with stacking books so the titles form a poem.     Reminds me of the fun of found word poetry, so had to try it.    Here's a sample done from things scattered on my desk.

In this case it may be more like a very short story.     Look around your house and try this for fun.  It's not a messy challenge for a change.  And you do not need to find any supplies.   

A little spritz, a little spray...

One of our mixed media group had a good source for ordering 2 oz spray bottles, so a bunch of us went together and ordered in bulk.     I know, I know, we are not buying more stuff!! We are all trying to get rid of stuff!    But, this was so tempting and the price was right.  You know how it is.      We planned to spend this morning mixing our liquids and spritzing and spraying on our artwork.   Unfortunately we cancelled the meeting today, but since I had prepared some practice pieces I thought I'd  share them here.

These are all done on 4 x 6 watercolor paper cut from a big pad of paper.    For some, I used tubes of watercolor paint and about an inch of water.   I poured the water first, then added about a teaspoon of water.  For some others I used tubes of gouache in the same amounts.   And finally, I used some old water soluble inks squirted into the water until I thought it looked right.     They all work about the same.    I was delighted that the watercolor didn't fade back as much as I thought they would.    I sprayed through an old piece of lace on some of these.  And added a few rubber stamped images with permanent ink. It's easy to mix your own colors also or overspray with several colors.   I can see a lot of possibilities for these sprays, can't you?     I better get out some of my stencils and masks next time I have a practice session.

 The trees are crayon with diluted ink sprayed over them.

 The three faces were quick scribbles of crayon oversprayed with various colors of diluted watercolor paints.
I think I'll try more of them with water soluble crayons to see if the colors intermix.

 This shoe stamp was sprayed with diluted gouache through a piece of lace.  I like the yellow ochre color in the gouache.  

This one is diluted liquid watercolor sprayed through lace over a rubber stamped image done in permanent ink.

Next I will be trying these sprays over a collaged background.    I think it's really fun to have them premixed and right at hand. They are all standing in an old plastic cookie "tin".    Deli packages are very useful for storage in a studio.

Saying goodbye to an era of online group

Cloth Paper Studio is an online group I've belonged to for years and years.    It is closing up shop as the  owners/list moms are moving on in their lives to other things.    

They are receiving many nice notes from other artists and craftspeople, quilters, felters, beaders, etc. who found a happy home with them for many years.   I am sure they know how grateful we all are for their encouragement, their chiding and teasing, their good humor and sense of fun, as well as the forum they provided for easy exchanges of ideas, techniques, and information.    It's been a great ride.     May first is the closing day, and I for one will be raising a toast to them for the pleasure they brought to me daily online.

Over the years many of the online groups have closed, some because they were related to a particularly hot trend in the altered arts world, and it just plays itself out - and some we just don't know why the interest waned.      This is one group that had so many  varied interests, it always was jumping from one thing to another - and every month at least, I would come away with a new idea, or way of doing something.     You know when we put our heads together, we learn a lot from each other.     One idea leads to another.  And the photos and links to other sites led me to places I never would have visited.     Here is a huge THANKS to Diane, Rachel, Wendy and Sue.     The best group leaders ever.   Now we will have to keep up with each other through the blogs and other new media.   

 I guess it's true the one unchanging thing in the world is change.    It always happens.   Sometimes it makes me sad.   On the other hand, it makes me move forward.    I just joined Trodden  Path, which is a relatively new online group, and immediately came across Evie in Scotland.     An old friend I met through the Cloth Paper Studio group years ago, and whose work I have collected.     Now we are in an ATC swap together.     Here is one of the little cards I just made for my partner.  The theme is winged children.

April post cards

I've been delighted to receive some really nice post cards lately but have been tied up working on and about the Spring Art Show in Lodi, the Tracy Grand Theater Art Show "Expressions! Selections" a show of 25 pieces of art by 20 invited artists, and getting ready for the Lathrop Mayors Art Show.

And keeping up with my beautiful garden by showing it off to a few friends at a little garden party on a rare perfect weather day.

  The Irish Spring card was accidentally  blown off the patio table, and fell into a potted geranium.     It has been watered a couple of times!   LOL  Whatever glue Beth Kelsey used, it works well because it is still intact, although a bit warped.

 The rabbit card is from Jennie Hichcliff. 

Reduce Waste card is from Linda Giese.   Some of these are follow ups to my mailing post cards promoting Artists for a Greener Planet. 

 The one with the can of veggies is from Punwit, a starter to which I added the bird head and the text and the man on lower right.  Now it goes back to him to see what he will do next.    I really look forward to these.   

America is from long time art friend, Joanna Taylor, who had just returned from a trip to Yosemite where a book she had done was being shown with her delightful hand carved stamped images.  

 The bright yellow card was  made with a onion bag by Norma Soulet of Florida, between tennis games.     Isn't this a clever use of a recycled piece of plastic that otherwise would have gone into the trash?  

Thanks for the cards, friends.   I've sent off a series this  month, but forgot to take pics.  I used pre printed post cards I purchased to get the box they came in.    So I collaged over the backs of them,  attached the mail labels onto the printed image and the stamp, and sent them off.     I'm hoping the gals that receive them will enjoy the latest mail art.

Making your mark

Words, words, words.     Yes, we believe in words.   The next question is - how to apply them to your work.     Here are some of the ways you might want to use.

1.   Cut out words and phrases, or even just letters, and glue them down.    Whether from a magazine, a book, or printed from your printer.   My friend Phyllis recently loaned me one of her old typewriters, and I'm having fun typing phrases with it.   It's a very uneven crookedy kind of type.    I love it!   I just cut them out and use  a glue stick to adhere them.   You can also print onto fabrics which could be cut into strips.

2.  Write it on, or Paint it.    If you want particular sizes or styles, this can be such a good way.    Calligraphy, or loose writing - either that suits you. There are dozens of books to help you learn different lettering techniques, but your own handwriting makes it's own statement.    It is loads of fun to experiment with lettering.  

3.  Rubber stamps.     Individual letters can be used to put together your words or phrases.  Sometimes its good to use just one size or font, but other times  you can mix and match sizes and fonts and colors for interesting looks.     Or you can purchase words and phrases.   You can have stamps made to order with your favorite phrases.  

4.   Stencils.  Individual letters combined to make words, or sometimes you can get a stencil with just the right words.   Of course you can cut your own.... 

5.  Stickers and rub ons.     Many letters and words are available through scrapbooking sources and graphic art sources.   I inherited pages and pages of rub ons.     Many sizes and types of fonts.   I've given away dozens to friends and I still have plenty.     I'm amazed the decades old rub ons still work.    I usually give them a spray coating after placement, just to make sure they stay put.  

6.  Label makers.     The old DYMO labels make interesting additions to pages.     I think they are still making them.       Computer printing on labels is a quick way to add your words.   You won't even need a glue stick. 

7.   Stitching and wire.     Embroidery stitching with threads or ribbons are a little more tedious, but are wonderful ways to add words.     Thin wire can be bent into the shapes of words or letters and can be stitched onto a page, or glued on, or wired on.      Experiment.    

8.  Embossing.    There are commercial embossing kits and supplies available.     You can emboss one of your pages, or on metal, or other papers and attach to your pages.    Aluminum duct tape and an old ball point pen can be used.

I'm sure you will think of others I've missed.    These are the methods I use.    I hope you have some fun using words in your art.     

Words, words, words...

"The majority of those who put together collections of verses or epigrams resemble those who eat cherries or oysters: they begin by choosing the best and end by eating everything."   That was written by Chamfort (1741-1794).     I collect words.    Words communicate thoughts, emotions, and sometimes they are only used in art -to take us off on a voyage to another time and place.    Much like images, but sometimes more thought provoking.     I'm known for my use of words in my altered books and art journals.     I love finding phrases, or quotations that fit the page.   Usually my books are done with the images first, then the backgrounds, and finally the words.    It's such fun taking a little finished journal and finding the right phrases and words to use.   Do you work this way too?     Do you have favorite sources for your words?

 I have an envelope full of words cut out from different sources. I also have a huge file of quotations in my database.   But, more often than not, I go hunting for the words when I need them - because it's more fun that way.    And they seem fresher and more spontaneous.  It's the hunt.   Much like going on a shopping spree - only it's not hard on the budget.  Here are some of my favorite sources.

1.  Books of phrases and quotations.  You can't beat the Oxford Dictionary of Quotations  for a good read.   Our local used library book store has a shelf of books about words.    Dictionaries, thesaurus, political quotations, speech writing books,   slang,  foreign phrases , etc.    It's the first shelf I go to.    Quotes about golfing. 

 "Writing is easy.  All you do is stare at a blank sheet of paper until drops of blood form on  your forehead" Gene Fowler (1890-1960).   Maybe this is why I'd rather borrow words from someone else.... 

2.  Magazines.   Articles often have interesting headlines, or captions under the photos.   Advertisements ofte have interesting wording.  "Dazzle"    "You'll be so surprised"   "No More Pit Stops"    "Travel the globe without jet lag",     are interesting phrases that fit nicely into travel journals. 

  "When's the last time you took a shower?" is a phrase  I found and coupled it with a picture of a little frog in a pond.   This makes everyone giggle, because it is nonsense. One of my friends, Nancy, brings me her mom's old magazines.    They are the nostalgia type, and very often the headings and titles of articles make good use of words.    "There was nowhere to go but down."   "Her clever shortcut didn't go unnoticed"    "Intuition was her secret ingredient"   

3.    Vintage books.    The phrases used by authors in old school books, novels, poetry books, and even old dictionaries and encyclopedias can be interesting.  Sometimes I challenge myself to pull out a couple pages from an old book, and attempt to find enough words to fill my little journal with meaningful words and phrases that are interesting and thought provoking, or just plain silly. 

 "We see things very differently" meant one thing to Jane Austin - and something else when it is on a page with two little birds on a wire facing each other.  It would mean something completely different if you put it on a page with a man and woman.  Or a cat and a dog.     Or two crossed eyeballs.     Or two flags from different countries.  

The words "shunning shoes was the norm for her" means one thing if on a page with a nude - and something else if it is a toddler wading at the beach.    "where do all the daisies go?"    Using random words and placing them with other random word can give interesting results.   "I snapped"   "among a sea of shoeboxes."     and
"the man in my bed"    "I met at my mailbox"   "I'd been abridged"    "it was pitiful".     See how you can build a little story without thinking up your own words?  is this cheating- or clever?     I vote for clever.

4.   Lyrics from songs that you hear on the radio, or that you remember.   Words that stick in your head.   Think of Country western songs, Johnny Cash, Willie Nelson.     Think of the Broadway musicals where the lyrics often carry the story line along.  "I've grown accustomed to your face".  People who need people.     

5.   Ephemera.    The cookie bags from McDonalds have interesting phrases to cut up and use.   "Our secret is no secret".      Look around at other packaging in your cupboard.    There is bound to be something there that you have  not  noticed, and that can be used.   Trader Joes' puts out something called the Fearless Flyer, which contains really fun old copyright free art, and lots of interesting phrases.   Here are a few phrases I cut out of junk mail..   "Yes, but why now?"    "Because now - today- you have something yo may NOT have in the future"   "Lasts a lifetime"    "Evergreen"

6.  Rubber stamps.     It's amazing how many interesting phrases and single words are on rubber stamps.  Sometimes I just can't resist a good quote on a stamp.   Makes it easy to put on a post card with some art.  And they are also useful in art journals and altered books.     "Mama said there'd be days like this" is a useful stamp.  "Reach for the stars" is another.    "Never talk dirty to your parakeet" always brings a smile.   "Tread l;ightly"     "Everything happens for a reason" 

7.  Contemporary books.    The library book store sells lots of picture books with good captions.    Things like the Bad Dog book, or books about love, or about mothers.  These are intended as gift books.    A favorite phrase I used recently was "To be honest, Barbara, you're not a thong person".     Booth of my Barabara friends got a kick out of it.     I paired it with a picture of a nude sculpture, back view, onto which I drew a thong.  

 Lillian at the senior center has taken on the hunt for these books, which she brings to me hoping I'll find good phrases to use.   I"m going to make her an art journal using some of the words she supplied.

8.   Movies.   Most of us have phrases we remember from movies.    "Are you talking to me?"   "I could have been a contender".    "May the force be with you"   

I hear thunder outside now, and it's late, I'm going to close up.  I may need to add to this later.   I hope this has given you something to think about.      That's all folks.

Art Journals

I finished off a couple more art journals.   One has a lot of stamped backgrounds, as the person who will receive it can add her favorite quotes and words.      The other one is chock  full of images.   Each of these has approximately 30 spreads, so you are only seeing a small sample here.