Artistic Diversion

     After months away trying out new techniques and artistic avenues, it’s time to get back to a little writing. 

    This picture is the front cover of a small paper book I made while taking an online course from Rachel Emilie Jackson called Romancing the Paper.  A most charming woman, with such a delicate and romantic touch to her work.  The class was exquisite, and I would passionately recommend any class taught by Rachel.

     This was the perfect class for me, because I could watch the videos over and over again while learning each technique. The class was offered through Crescendoh’s Creative Lab.

      This image is one of my favorite techniques and also from my book. This is a rubber stamp embossing that is stained with coffee and Distress ink. The pocket is gessoed glassine hand sewn with embroidery floss.

This is similar to the book cover.  Though this pressed flower is mounted on coffee stained paper with gesso ”icing”.  If you are at all interested in pressing flowers, but are impatient with pressing flowers in a book, Rachel introduced us to the most wonderful tool, the Microfleur with microwave oven.  This is so simple to use, and gives a much better result , at least for me, than pressing flowers in a book, and the flowers retain their color so well.

   As well as this class, I’ve been taking book binding classes from Erin Sweeney down in Peterborough, NH.  If you are in the area, and have the opportunity to take a class from Erin, I highly recommend it.  So far, I’ve taken an envelope book class, a coptic stitch class, and a sewing box book class. Soon, I will be taking a storage book class.  Pictures will follow.

     I’ve always wanted to learn how to make artist’s books, and finally have the opportunity.  These two classes have opened a whole new world to me,   and I will be travelling down a new path designing some new projects involving paper and fabric techniques.  Sometimes it takes a diversion from what I’m comfortable with to get me moving in a new, more creative way.   It also gives me a nudge to go back to a project I’m avoiding or feel trapped in.

  It’s also Spring, a time of freshness and growth.  It’s time to dust off the cobwebs from winter and try something new.  

  I’m still not happy with the look of this blog, so expect more changes……

“It seems to me we can never give up longing and wishing while we are alive. There are certain things we feel to be beautiful and good, and we must hunger for them.” –George Eliot

  

Advertisement