I Bless the Rain

Once I get my office cleaned, sorted, and organized, which could be up to a month at the rate I'm going, I hope to work more often on my 7 continents altered book.  Having said that, I took a couple of hours off yesterday to create this piece that will go in the Africa section of my altered book which I've worked on since late 2003.

I originally created this page for Yvonne of Meggy's Way who is hosting Art Journal Journey this month with her theme Colo(u)r in my World.  Then I realized this spread could also qualify for Try it on Tuesday with their latest challenge of My Friend (which today was animals).

These friends are watching out for each other.  Both are alert and ready for action.  The bright pink, mixed with the orange create the backdrop for these friends, as well as showing the title of the piece.

This adorable guy is searching for his friend.  The shell compliments the background color of the hot, dry desert we associate with Africa.

Mother and child are definitely friends.  It is well known these animals remain very close throughout their lifetime, and can be heard mourning upon the death of a loved one.  They don't want to be separated, either.

For this spread, I began with a used file folder I colored using water soluble crayons, the Christmas gift from my friend Cindy that just keeps on giving.  I blended the colors together in spots, but apparently covered up most of the background I spent so much time on, and was so proud of.  I sewed the three animal images to vintage sheet music using variegated thread, then added the three shells and the computer generated words to the song Africa made famous by Toto.

If I did it correctly, here is the song in its entirety:

Please join me once again at Try it on Tuesday and Art Journal Journey (or you may click the links on my right sidebar).  Thanks also for joining me down on the Serengeti and enduring the heat of Africa today.