I created 4 more pages today in my little cloth book. Adding to this little book bit by bit each day, while in isolation.
Archive for the ‘handmade books’ Category
Little Cloth Book. In Isolation.
Sunday, April 19th, 2020Old Clothes. Re-Cycling. Art Making.
Monday, February 9th, 2015Before, I throw anything away, I like to see if I can use it in my creative ideas. Not only am I dealing with issues concerning, over- consumption, re- cycling & renewing, I also love using the found material and always have a ready supply of art materials available.
Recently, I acquired a large amount of men’s ties, I’m pulling apart, to create abstract paintings.
I also have 3 wardrobes of old clothing, I’m slowly, using to make textile art pieces, books and more. The physical act of pulling apart and de-constructing my own clothing, connects me to the textures, memories and history of the piece. The materials are then, made into new ideas, re- introduced and re- valued.
Paper packaging, used coffee filters, table napkins and clothing dyed and baked in coffee, tea and rust
Vintage jumpers, jeans and shirts, torn and cut ready for book-making and other projects
Artwork in progress using scraps of vintage sheer curtain and upholstery material, rust dyed.
Collaborative Art Project.
Sunday, August 24th, 2014The original “No Yes” book below is now finished after 2 collaborative swaps with Australian artist Jack Oudyn
Please see previous post on “Collaborative Art”
1st swap with my marks only
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- “No Yes” Book
2nd swap with Jacks marks and we both decided it was finished!
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- “No Yes” Book
It has an oriental feel to it.
Coming up soon, the other finished artist book!
Collaborative Art. Artist Books.
Sunday, August 17th, 2014
We mostly think of artists working alone in a studio to produce works of art but, artists have also been working collaboratively, in groups and partnerships for centuries, even in the Renaissance. Now with technology, it’s even easier to connect and work with other creative people.
Lately, I have been working on a collaborative arts project with Australian artist Jack Oudyn using a couple of little handmade books I created .
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- “No Yes” Book
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- Work in progress…
The books are sent by snail- mail back and forth to each other. We then, work on each page, the reverse sides or, add to each others marks and collage, until we are both satisfied with the piece.
We will then, colour photocopy the book and both have a copy, or keep an original each.
After 2 collaborative swaps the book below is still a work in progress. Today, I created more marks and will send it off to Jack, for more additions or thoughts on the project.
I find it lots of fun and liberating working in this way, as well as, a bit scary. You never know if you will connect with each others mark- making and make the piece, work for both artists.
You can see the “No Yes” book finished here…
Handmade Books. Recycling.
Monday, April 14th, 2014
I love to recycle packaging, junk mail and advertising materials into books
I like the freedom of designing my books as I make them, discovering ideas along the the way
Its amazing how much packaging can be saved over time
For this book I used cereal packaging with a peephole and pasta boxes with acetate windows for the interior pages
and sealed the pages with white Gesso
only on one side because I liked the dark look of the cardboard ( later I painted them with Parisian essence to age )
On the cover I used double sided tape to stick down the tabs
to make it more sturdy
The little window will have something inside
Taking a load of baguette bags I bought back from France
I scrunched them up into balls and wrinkled them
opened them up and stuck them to the cover packaging with pva glue
This gave the cover an oldish feel with a lovely rough texture.French text shows through the window
I covered the inside with some French text from a 1900’s magazine, stamping and my hand drawn doodle drawings.
I didn’t like the brightness of the gessoed pages so aged them with washes of Parisian essence
When dry I cut off some of side flaps from the inside pages saving them for tags and pockets later
I didn’t have an awl to make the holes for binding the book, instead I used a hammer and nail. It worked fine
I punched 3 rows of holes weaving in and out with cotton mop thread
leaving a tail inside I then plaited the threads and added a piece cardboard for a bead thing
The extra holes seen were a mistake and can be covered up with more baguette paper and glue later
Side flaps on some of the pages hold piles of water colour papers for collage and drawing
They are tied with cotton mop thread
The loose water colour papers are white and hand dyed with Parisian essence
See through windows add more interest
Pockets and string hold found papers and tags. The book is still not finished and I will probably add more tags and pockets
Toggles were sewn on the front with a string to close
This book has a Japanese feel to it and measures 24 x19cm. 5 pockets hold 40 pieces of water colour paper with another 12 pages. Some have windows.
I try to keep on top of my collecting by making something with the packaging every few weeks.
What do you make from your junk?
The artists are taking over…
Friday, July 15th, 2011The Artists are taking over…If you are heading to the Yarra Valley in Victoria, Australia to check out The Archibald Prize at Tarra Warra Museum of Art , don’t forget to pop into the thriving township of Healesville.
Healesville is full of many quaint little cafes, restaurants, bakeries’ hotels, specialist delis, selling local gourmet foods and wines, second-hand /antique shops and eateries.
Recently the artists have taken over the town with the opening of many new spaces and galleries showcasing local artists and artisan’s wares.
One such space is “Artists Lounge” This shop is a real treat. A new corner gallery that has a Contemporary/Industrial feel to it. My favourite thing at “Artist’s Lounge” is the long black chalk wall running right along one side of the building, where you can make your mark amongst the contemporary artworks on display.
Friendly, Ali and Billy who run the space, have jam packed it with unique Contemporary art from the local Yarra Valley artists. You can browse the paintings and sculpture, but there is also an eclectic array of affordable, artsy items created by the artists.
I saw some lovely pieces of wearable art with handmade books, badges, cards, recycled arts, pottery, textile pieces, silk scarves, felting, and jewellery.
For the creative, they also sell high quality artist supplies and gorgeous papers to die for. If they don’t have what you are looking for they will order it for you.
So, grab yourself a cup of Billy’s delicious coffee and soak up the atmosphere and gorgeous things at “Artist’s Lounge” in Healesville
“Artist’s Lounge”
222 Maroondah Highway, Healesville.
Open Wednesday to-Sunday 10.30am -4.30pm
Phone 59625150
Email artistslounge.com.au
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