New Idea

I have been creating collages using archival mat board as a backing, because it is sturdy enough to withstand paste and glue without buckling. However, it is not easily stitched through, and I want to use stitched lines as design elements in new collages. So today I played with alternatives. I'm not fond of batting --- too puffy, plus what to do about the edges. Finally I hit on the idea of using Pellon, and I think that is the solution for me. It is somewhat sturdy, yet easily stitched through. The collage above is my first attempt using Pellon as a backing, and I'm happy with the way it handled stitching and painting. What do you think?

The Completed Book

Here is the completed book, with all 8 pages mounted. It is a simple accordion fold book, made from a single sheet of paper.

Here are the first four pages in the book.

Here are the last four pages in the book.

Please click on the last two photos for more detail. For whatever reason, Blogger is limiting the size of photos to display in this post.

The Making of a Folded Book

Yesterday, while walking, I saw a tree that had lost its leaves, yet still held an empty nest in its branches. Several leaves were caught in the nest, and it reminded me of some words that I have had sitting on my work table for a while --- "Four drops fell to earth making four sacred places". I decided to use a set of four leaves that I found to represent the "four drops" and to incorporate four nests as the "sacred places". Thus began a new book....

Layer 1: background papers, cut to page size, and a few additional details added with mulberry papers, cloth, found papers, the four leaves and the words.

Layer 2: acrylic paint --- stamped some metallic russet stripes and screened some black circles to represent the nests.

Layer 3: acrylic paint --- added some white snowflakes and gold text. The "snowflakes" were created by painting a hedge apple with white paint and rolling it across my pages.

Tomorrow........the finished book.

Leaf Collages

These two collages were created with a background of found papers. Then I added layers of mulberry paper and cloth and more found papers. The final layers are actual painted leaves and acrylic paint. The top collage includes a redbud leaf, and the bottom collage includes sumac leaves. Both collages measure 6.5"h x 4.75"w and are mounted on 10" x 8" Bristol board.

Another Maple Leaf Collage

I finished this collage this morning, and I think it is my favorite so far. I love the blocks of color and the way they blend with each other and the leaf, and the way the text unifies the whole design.

More Texture

Texture fascinates me almost as much as color. These are photographs of peeling birch bark. Aren't all the layers wonderful?

Colors in the Woods

Woodland Palette #1
6"h x 5"w
mounted on 10" x 8" Bristol Board
SOLD

Woodland Palette #2
6"h x 5"w

mounted on 10" x 8" Bristol Board
SOLD

I am totally enamored with the colors of the maple leaves this year. The vein lines in lime and yellow contrast beautifully against the bright crimson of the leaf. I have never seen coloring like this, and it is fascinating to me. Above are two more collages that incorporate actual maple leaves that I have found on my walks.

All About Texture!

Recently I spent the day at the local zoo, enjoying the crisp autumn weather on a photography jaunt. I was in search of textures to use in my artwork. Below are some of my favorites from that day...

remnants of cut-off leaves,

the underside of a variety of palm leaf,

the bark of a tree,

bamboo.

Kansas, Kansas, Kansas

Last Saturday, in Lawrence, Kansas, I taught a collage workshop to a fun group of art quilters. Most of them were total newbies with collage, so it was interesting to see their progression during the workshop. I think a good time was had by all, and you can click here to see one participant's collages.

This is a photo of a cluster of mushrooms growing outside where the workshop was held. I loved all of the textures!

Any guesses what this is??? No fair posting if you were with me when I took the photo.

Observations

Observations #2
11" x 11"
SOLD

Observations #5
11" x 11"
$175

One thing about puppies --- they give you a reason to take walks, no matter what the weather is like. At first I was not too enthusiastic about walks in pouring rain or bitter cold winter winds, but I have to admit that I thoroughly enjoy it now. It has given me opportunities to observe many facets of nature that I otherwise would have missed. My newest series is inspired by these observations, hence the title of the series. Click here to see the first six pieces.

Autumn Glow

Autumn Glow
5"h x 5.5"w
maple leaf, found papers, ribbon, cotton cloth, acrylic paint
SOLD

Yesterday when I returned from my morning walk, this maple leaf was on my front porch. The coloring is so exquisite that I picked it up and put it in my press to preserve it. This morning it inspired this collage that incorporates the leaf with a background image of trees.

The Final Result

Here is the book folded and tied after completion. This is a hand-dyed cotton yarn that I tied around it.

And this is the entire book with all of the pages completed. It has been a fun project and an interesting break from making my morning collages. Let me know what you think now that it is finished.

Pages 15 & 16

These are the last two pages in the book, so tomorrow I will post photos of the completed book. It has been a fun week working on this project. I had a tough time not adding any painted accents, but now that I see the whole book, I think it is stronger for its simplicity.

Pages 13 & 14

Pages 11 & 12

Pages 9 & 10