Joining ICAD (Index Card a Day)

Day 1

I'm not an artist (someone who can draw and sketch), but having watched several people participate last year, I decided to try it.  Sorry, I cropped this a bit too much on the right side. So, using the prompt of the day on the ICAD blog run by Tammy of Daisy Yellow, I thought I would try my luck at collage.  And what happened?  The first thing I did was try to draw something.  You might want to join the fun, too. 

May and June in my monthly calendar

It's the end of the month, so it's time to head to Kate's at The Kathryn Wheel with our monthly calendar pages.

For those who like to read the minutia, May was more colorful than I felt at times, what with cold weather at the beginning of the month, which turned to sweltering heat and humidity interspersed with tornadoes toward the end of the month.  Seems like we never really got a spring here.

I haven't decorated this page because, as you can tell, I stamped the month before I added the little squares.  That means I'm going to have to do some creative rework.  As for the background, I sprayed some of my handmade color mists on the file folder.

I hope you have a stress free and SAFE month, especially if you live in a part of the world that is prone to floods, tornadoes, and hurricanes during this time of the year.

May's Artful Readers Club (ARC) entry

Darcy at Art and Sole is about ready to share her May Artful Reader's Club entry, and I'm now ready to ONCE AGAIN show mine.  Some of you may remember I showed this post a week early and now I'm sharing it again.

I wanted to first say a few words about the book I reviewed in April.  Several of you suggested I alter the book, because it was so old and useless.  Truth be told, I had borrowed the book, and had already returned it to the owner by the time I created the totem.  But I thank each of you for thinking along those lines.  As I told a few of you, I hope the owner doesn't use the book to make anything in it for me!

This month, I'm reviewing something a bit more promising:

Collage Playground: A Fresh Approach to Creating Mixed-Media Art

by Kimberly Santiago

• Paperback: 144 pages
• Publisher: North Light Books (July 1, 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 160061793X
• ISBN-13: 978-1600617935
• Product Dimensions: 8 x 0.6 x 10 inches 

This is what the book looks like on my work table.

The Table of Contents in this soft-cover book showed it contains 25 projects and 10 techniques.

The introduction provided insight into the author, Santiago, who is a graphic designer.  Her collages looked very controlled, something I appreciate.  I've said in the past, I'm not a big fan of willy-nilly collage, and these examples looked quite ordered and orderly.

Chapter One begins with the basics.

Like I've come to expect from many authors of this genre, I've decided it seems the design or layout of the pages is more important than the actual relevance to the written word or material in question.  In fact, I'd never heard of some of the materials, including self-adhesive mounting board, vellum bristol board, or double tack mounting film.

An internet search showed this product from GRAFIX (the double tack mounting film), although self adhesive, was quite expensive.  It cost over $9.00 a sheet (that's US dollars).  And vellum bristol board was over $7.00 for one sheet of 9" X 12" and nearly $17.00 for 14" X 17".  I apologize to all my British readers, but the sizes were not available in metric dimensions, so I didn't convert.

Thankfully, I had heard of, and own most of, everything located on page 12.  One thing I enjoyed under "Hide and Seek: Collage Resources are Everywhere You Look!" was the statement:

If you don't already have a box full of collage resources, cast your eye on some of the everyday items you don't normally give a a second look--you'll be amazed at how much is hiding in plain sight.

I am fortunate in that my friends know my attraction to collage resources, and they are always donating to my cause.  Put the word out; I bet you will be pleased with what your friends give you.
                                                     Quoted from page 13

Truer words were never spoken.  If I didn't have my friends to feed my collage habit, I would not have all the collage fodder I've managed to hoard over the years.

Then, on page 15, Santiago further states we should keep the playground clean, something I advocate in my own "playground."  After all, littering is littering, and messy is messy.

Chapter Two focuses on creating your own original collage elements while incorporating items like old book pages, transparencies, scanned images, vintage textiles, pressed flowers, and other elements into the artwork.

One of the projects Santiago demonstrates is the woven pages, like the one you see in the lower left above.  Of course, Santiago adheres an entire sheet of double tack mounting tape to the entire back of the woven page, something I would never do.  And believe me, I have woven many, many altered book pages in the past, including ones where either the weft or the warp (and occasionally both) gently curved over the length or width of the page.
 

For the most part, I enjoyed the pieces she created using book pages.  That was fun, because it was right up my alley.  However, I must be a bit dense, because it took me several pages before I realized the step-out instructions were all demonstrated inside a frame.  At first, I didn't get the connection (You can stop laughing anytime, now).
 

In Chapter Three, Santiago shows how to build on the elements that were created in Chapter Two.  She shows her methodology and the five steps she uses to construct a collage.  Again, the graphic element is quite visible in her work.

 In Chapter Four, we are told to put on our play clothes.  However, Santiago doesn't mean "play clothes" like I wear.  You know, the ones that have paint, glue, and gesso hardened on the sleeves or at the elbows.  What she is referring to are vintage textiles.  Of course, I love textiles, so this truly piqued my interest.  In fact, several years ago I cut the center out of a vintage handkerchief.  It looked very similar to one Santiago demonstrates.  Unfortunately, I can no longer find it, after the ravages of a flood when many items were pitched, and boxes were then taken to storage.

Chapter Five takes you to the math room, where you are taught to add and subtract.  Of course, what Santiago meant was she would show how to add images, take some away, and make some from other images.  She also introduced the reader to "found poetry," something several of the altered artists I'm familiar with (and visit) practice a lot.  They often find words written on the book page and make art around those words, or they use the entire page and tie the words together by coloring out most of the words.

On this page she shows how to create a door, and place an image behind it.  Of course, she used a craft knife, something I have a real problem with.

At least I was now finally used to the step-out pictures being shown photographed in frames.

In Chapter Six, Santiago suggested ways for you (and me) to stand out on the playground.  Here's what she wrote on page 106:

"You learn how to define an image by piecing it as an individual collage, and then applying it to a background.  By creating the separate collage shape you have the opportunity to look at a variety of backgrounds before permanently committing to them.

But don't get hemmed into art within a frame--"

I personally thought that last line was hilarious, since she uses frames exclusively to demonstrate her step-outs.

It took me reading all the way to the Resources page (pg 140) until I found my inspiration piece on page 141.

I remembered from Chapter Six that Santiago told the reader to create a few backgrounds, so

that was what I did.  I decided on the blue/green page that began with watercolor paper as the substrate for my background.

Next I created all the elements using (from back left) a Martha Stewart punch, patterned paper cut in strips and assembled using double sided tape, and a bird I created and cut to size from a stencil using three Pan Pastels.

I forgot to take photos of the patterned papers before I made the pieced assembly Santiago advocated, so all I have is a photo of the package prior to cutting all those papers into strips.

I decided to call this collage "The bird on the box."  I hope you can see where I got my inspiration.

So what did I think of this book?  It was an interesting approach to mixed media, but I didn't learn many new techniques.  It was confusing at first with those frames, but once I got used to them, the book became an easy read.

Once again, I didn't much care for the "basics" and the way the materials, tools, and supplies were introduced.  I'm still trying to figure out why artists infer you know what each material looks like, so they don't bother showing these materials, especially ones some of us have not heard of before.

I enjoyed the clean lines and simple artwork Santiago used in her collages.  I attribute that to her graphic designer background.  Overall, I think this is a book geared to a mixed media or collage newbie, and just enjoyed seeing how she put various ephemera together in her unique way.  Of course, I see that same uniqueness and diversity when I visit my mixed media friends' blogs.

Having said all that, I feel I owe it to Santiago to give this book 3 1/2 stars.  Buy it at your own risk, unless you are new to altered art, mixed media, and collage, at which time you might find it enlightening.

This is the book I'll be reviewing for the June ARC.  I seem to be on a mixed media kick lately.

And please don't forget to visit the other ARC members whose links are found on Darcy's blog.  They will appreciate it as much as I do.

WOYWW 208: The one where we celebrate

It's finally here: Julia's fourth anniversary as the Queen of WOYWW.  I'm so excited.

WOYWWendy is excited, too.  While I'm at my computer in my office waiting to see who my PIF partner is,

Wendy is holding down the fort standing by with the envelope that will soon be addressed and on its way.  Of course, Wendy and I will find a little something, something else to include, depending on the country it goes to.

Although Wendy didn't want to share the space, she knew not even this lovely rocking horse, a birthday gift from Voodoo Vixen (Annette of Scrap Happens Here), could supplant her Diva status today.

I've also made a few extra ATCs.  Some of my WOYWW friends I've never met in person, but whom I share each Wednesday with, will get these.  I've not asked to trade with them, but sent them because they are my friends.  I do NOT expect, nor want anything in return, so please don't reciprocate.  Each of you has done so much for me in the past, it's time I showed a tiny, tiny bit of appreciation.  Yes, I've put these through a PS filter, so you'll have to wait till next Wednesday for the big reveal.

Of course, one, made much like my PIF, will be a bit late, since it is going to the other OZ.  I'm sure we all know who that is, since she is a loyal WOYWWer who gave me the rocking horse above just moved there with her fur babies (to meet her hubby, of course).

This one, put through a liquifying filter goes to my PIF friend whose name will be revealed after I link up and learn who to send it to.

I was especially happy with the way this one filtered.  I actually like it as much as, if not better than, the real ATC!  It is for Julia, our Queen.

And people on other social media sites say blogs are dead!  That is certainly not the case when it comes to WOYWW because Julia has proven it week after week after week after week after week.  Happy 4th Anniversary, dear Julia.

And finally, even though it's a bit late, I had to honor Nikki and thank her for these badges she made.

Usual caveat: please leave your number if you are coming from Julia's blog.  That makes it SO much easier to reciprocate.

Tea with Julia

Today I'm preparing for the big WOYWW (What's on your Workdesk Wednesday) fourth anniversary bash by having tea with Julia, who is our leader.

I've started my tea preparation in true British fashion.  I found this piece at a thrift store, but haven't bothered ironing it.

The reason I'm having tea with Julia is because she sent me this wonderful Twinings Rose Garden Tea.  According to Twinings web site, "In 1706 Twinings started selling fine teas in England."  They now sell all over the world.  But Julia sent me this from England where she lives.

In case you can't see the lovely lady and her dress, here is a photo from the Twinings web site.

You should be able to see how much the tea has steeped while I took these few photos.

So, share your tea (or other drink) stories today (leave your link, too, if you choose to join me) while I wait to join Julia later for WOYWW's fourth anniversary.

In honor of Memorial Day

I wanted to make art for Memorial Day, but I'm not feeling especially artful these days.  So I did an internet search and found this poem that was written during World War I and is now considered the standard for Memorial Day.  After all, many  people still wear poppies on this day to honor those who died in battle, regardless of the war they fought.

I decided to try my hand at a bit of not-quite abstract art.

 I began by making the grey headstones from white gesso, along with black and purple acrylics.  I was quite pleased with how it turned out, even though I'm no artist.

Before I could get in the mood to make art, my friend Scott stopped by and we worked on getting pots ready for seed planting.

I kept trying to get a good photo of Scott getting the compost

while that tree caused a big obstacle to his tall frame.

We used the last of the soil I bought last year, and all the compost from this container.  Just look at all that black gold!

Scott put his muscles to work when he lifted the huge pot out of the wheelbarrow.  I'm not sure how I managed to get it in the container, other than I know I was tired afterward.

Of course, that was just a warm-up for Scott, who helped get my window AC installed in my office.  That room is never cool, and a hot computer doesn't help.  I always joke that my office is like being in a greenhouse, since it has windows on all four sides of the room which is located above the garage.

While moving the fru-frus sitting on the window sill,

I found this photo of my friend Joseph and myself.  Now several people have requested seeing a photo of me, but I'm never in front of the camera. So (REBECA) here is one from several years ago.  It's so true to form: bangs in my eyes, no neck, and my mouth constantly open and in motion!!

The next day, I managed to plant all the strips of seeds I had encased in flour (see this post for directions).

Unfortunately, I had eight packets of basil and only four empty pots.  I also had used all my dirt and compost.  I decided to wait to plant these seeds, since I will need to be creative when I plant them.

Before I removed the empty seed packets and plastic zip bags I saved them in, I made a chart. 

I was glad I did, because I had already forgotten which seeds were planted in which pot.  You can see the location of the four pots I have left to plant my basil in.  I admit it was hard standing outside trying to write with nothing for support, and not get dirt all over everything.

Then I placed all the empty packets in one pile, and all the unplanted seeds in another pile, took them inside, then watered all the pots really well.

As I was finishing in the garden, I heard a noise across the street.  I was glad I got these photos of the mess that has taken over my neighborhood while a company comes in and digs, then installs a new natural gas line.

I watched as the worker used the combination shovel/back hoe to move the dirt.

This is one time I would hate to live on the end of a block.  It seems one end of each block becomes the dumping ground for all that dirt.  And I got the photo to prove it!

And speaking of photos to prove something, here are two I found while perusing News-Leader. com

Does this look eerily like the Moore tornado? 

How about this one? Both were taken by a photographer for the News Leader two years earlier in Joplin, MO, which was also where my undergrad alma mater is located.

It is my belief that all EF-5 tornadoes display similar patterns of destruction.   I hope you never experience a similar destruction, regardless of the nature, in your part of the world.

And of course, have a SAFE and joyous Memorial Day, those of you who celebrate it, and those of you who don't celebrate it, but have the day off to welcome the unofficial beginning of summer.