Monday, May 22, 2017

Is it elegance or grunge? Homage to Erika (and more)


It's great to be back and I'm so glad I can participate in Gill's Elegance and/or Grunge at Art Journal Journey.  I've been so remiss in joining in this month, and I hope Gill can understand my not participating more than I have so far.

A few days ago, my friend Erika showed a photo of her bird feeder that a bear had knocked onto the ground.

Imagine my surprise and joy when I found

this picture in a 2007 Birds and Blooms magazine my friend Sally gave me.    If that sweet face isn't elegant, I don't know what is.  As an aside, the two patterned papers I used to create the bear's background mat were gifted me by Erika, too.

The grunge comes from the wild and crazy background I created.

Materials used included three patterned papers, two washi tapes, a black Micron pen, and a page from a small dictionary.  All were backed on a used file folder I sprayed with some of my handmade shimmering mists (which sadly don't show on the scan).


On Saturday, after helping my friend's sister and her children pack to move to California (the San Diego area), I treated myself to visiting the Art and Book Fair.

As an aside, now that everything is packed and ready to move, except for a few essentials needed for the trip to CA, movers will come in Wednesday to take the items to the children's new home.  I will be there to help them leave this city that has been their home since birth.  And for those of you who I always visit, just be aware, I am working my way to you as quickly as possible.  I have the SLOWEST internet on the planet, just one step up from dial-up.

Now for the books I purchased.   I didn't get the huge bargains my friend Pamela of Cappuccino and Art Journal gets when she attends one of these book fairs,  

but I was still happy with my purchases.   I purchased from the lowest prices they had.  The orange dots were $4.00 (USD) each

and the green dots were $2.00 (USD) each.  I couldn't believe I had gotten three Sue Grafton novels in a single book for $2.00.

I purchased all most of the other books for the art that is inside them.

The two large, thin books I bought for their covers.  Most of the covers I kept from Sally's old books were in pristine condition, and I wanted something with a bit of grunge showing.

I left the price tags on them, but will probably remove them after I publish this post.   In case you are wondering, I spent $34.00 (USD) on these books.  I was really surprised I had spent so much money, but once they added it up, I couldn't very well put anything back.  I would have been too embarrassed.  The good thing was, I learned that the money raised goes to purchase new art for the Wichita Art Museum.

Here is where they will be kept until I want to make art.

They should feel right at home with the other books, rocking horses, and DUST!!!

Now let's forget about dust (while I grab my dust rag and wash cloth) and join everyone at Gill's wildly popular Elegance and/or Grunge at Art Journal Journey.


14 thoughtful remarks:

Valerie-Jael said...

The money you spent on those great books was very well invested, and you will enjoy them for a long time to come. I'm glad you treated yourself to something good after the stressful time you had lately and all you have done for your friend's family. Great journal page, too. I just went crazy and booked a ticket for an exhibition in London in September, I don't care if I have to sleep at the airport, main thing I get there and see it! Hugs, Valerie

Sami said...

I think the price you paid for the books was very good value, as well as helping a good cause.
Love the picture of the bear, it put a smile on my face.
Have a great week Elizabeth.

froebelsternchen said...

A fantasic low price for all those great books which will be very helpful for making mixed media art-projects. I always look for art books at the charity shop too. Made some great finds there. Such a fair must be a blast for a Mixed Media Queen like you .
What a lovely image you found for the >dedicated to Erika AJJ page< linked to Gill's fab theme! I think everybody can understand that you had not enough time these past weeks ! You were such a help to the family of your deceased friend!
Your page looks fabulous! Thank you for being such a good blog-friend as well to all of us Elizabeth!
Take good care of you and the boys
and I wish you a very good new week. I will not be at the T-Gang tomorrow since I have to spend my time with official channels tomorrow and doctor's appointments are on the agenda this week as well. Nothing bad - but has to be done.
♥♥♥
Susi

Gibby Frogett said...

aww bless you Elizabeth for joining in again at AJJ, with all that's happening at your end of the world I really appreciate it :)
and isn't that an amazing and adorable image of that bear - lovely grungy background - the whole page made me smile - love it! (thank you x)
Lots of fab books to keep you busy with for a while and great that the money will help buy new artworks for the museum too.
Enjoy your new books...
Gill xx

CJ Kennedy said...

Love the bear page. Looks like he's asking for a particular seed. More sunflower seeds, please. or how about some thistle seeds? What a great haul you got at the book fair and a worthy cause.

da tabbies o trout towne said...

bleu N squiggles; total lee off topix; what mob names ya want !!! ?? it can be what ever ewe like; pleez let uz noe...signed de terrorz frum O'trout ~~♥♥

Anonymous said...

What a great find! Nice to know the money supports a good thing. I love the love letters book, that's really fascinating I bet. Even though I am only an hour south of Erika, maybe 3/4 of an hour, she has bears and we don't. One town north of us has bears. She is all woods though and that is why, woods and hills almost to mountains. Lovely spot too. She is doing well and resting, hope to get up to see her soon. Glad you are back, what a pain to lose your internet all the time ugh. Dust, chuckling there, and puffs of dog hair for me. We could sweep 6 times a day and not get it all. xox

Sandra Cox said...

What a great deal on the books! And it's for a wonderful cause.
I love, love, love the bear piece:)

da tabbies o trout towne said...

THANX guys for playin a long ♥♥♥

Cindy McMath said...

I love the bear pic and page. Also I would say that's a great price for so many books - One hardcover book new will often be that much! Great deals!

My name is Erika. said...

OK, that bear is waving at me and teasing me I think. :) I LOVE your page. The bear photo is perfect! Good find. It gave me a good laugh! And what a good book collection. I love going through book sales and seeing what things I can discover. I've gotten some excellent old books that way. And the best part is you can help out someplace that can use the help too. Hope its been an excellent day. Hugs-Erika

pearshapedcrafting said...

Oh how this made me laugh! Well done for your book purchases - which of course don't count as part of your art budget as it is a donation to charity!! I would love to see inside that 'Dear Mable' book - it fascinates me!
As you can see I am trying to catch up with being away so much! Wish your friends children well! Big Hugs, Chrisx

Cappuccinoandartjournal.blogspot.com said...

Well......maybe not as great as my book deals but pretty darn good! That Rookie Letter Writer book looks quite interesting to me. You will enjoy all your finds I'm sure!

Jeanie said...

What a great haul! I love a good book sale and I should be shot if I even consider bringing one into the house! You'll have fun with those. The one of the Rookie... I would have fought you for that one. They look great!