Saturday, May 10, 2014

Three months in the making (AKA I won't stand for)

This is a scheduled post.  I'm working in my vegetable garden all day today.  By the time this goes live, I will have hopefully put in several hours work already.  I simply had to get away from the computer, or my art table, and get my vegetable seeds and plants planted.  I'd already waited nearly a month longer than I should have.  And I have a long list of things to accomplish, too.

It took over three months to make this very simple and unadorned spread in my Collage altered book (AB).

It all started back in late January, when I found a flyer in my neighbor Sally's recycle bin.  I asked for it, brought it home, and immediately fussy cut the image I wanted from the flyer.   I didn't want it for the uplifting message it was intended.  Instead, I had been looking for over a year for a seated image, since I knew I would NEVER be able to draw anything like this.

However, as I was working on the spread, I foolishly started writing on gesso.  Now I KNOW better, but hindsight is always 20/20.  The pen spurted, sputtered all over my February calendar page, and stopped writing while I was drawing the lines on this spread.  I did everything I could think of, including dipping the Zig 0.5mm pen in water.  Needless to say, I was completely disappointed.  I even tried writing with a cheap brass-ink colored pen, but I didn't like the results, so I gave up and quit.


Late last month, while working in the basement studio, I noticed one of my markers I used to write on transparencies.  I brought it upstairs to my craft room, and completely forgot about it. 

Yesterday, I remembered it and finished the spread.  Of course, the lighting was all wrong, and the camera cast a shadow, no matter how much I fiddled with the angle.

Then I took a brass stencil and tried to use the very large tip on the marker to make this mess in one corner of the spread.  I had planned to use it on more corners, but after the mess I made on this corner, I decided to forgo the effort (and further ugliness).  Next time, I'll use joint compound and paint or ink.

But I had already taken far too long to complete this spread, and decided to call it complete. 

At least you know what I won't stand for!!  It's actually a take on USA TV's slogan they use each year.

10 thoughtful remarks:

Unknown said...

Fabulous post and I love what you don't stand for! xo

Denise Price said...

I love it! The message shines through. Don't worry about any of your perceived "mistakes;" they don't look like mistakes.

voodoo vixen said...

Aaah, I have the same problem, so what am I supposed to use to write on gesso? Love this, totally agree on your won't stand fors and love that sitting image you rescued from the recycle bin!!

Anonymous said...

its beautiful and powerful, such a tribute to have these mis justices end! I love it,

Halle said...

I love the age as well...perfect for your pages.

Halle said...

That would be page not age....dang auto correct.

Nan G said...

A troublesome spread but well worth the effort. Now come in and refresh yourself with a nice cool ice tea. :) Hugs, Nan and the Girls

Craftymoose Crafts said...

Hmmm, I'm wondering if good old sharpie markers will write on gesso? I'm sure you must have tried this already.

I hope you are getting everything you want accomplished in the garden.
I finally got some Basil seeds planted inside in a pot. Haven't planted the flower seeds yet.

I had a nice card from DD that made me cry, an email, and a phone call. The card made her cry when she was picking it out so therefore, thought it was perfect! It was! Unfortunately she had a commitment today which was fine since her first year is over, and we will be picking her up on Saturday.

dawn said...

I love this, all of it!!! Glad you finished it and shared it!

Anonymous said...

Good for you, I couldn't agree more. I know the planting went well...xox