NEW PAGES FOR THE ALTERED BOOK

I am still working in the altered book format and finding it both enjoyable and challenging. It is a project that I have thought about doing for quite a long time.

The page above is an homage to t s eliot's 'Lovesong to J. Alfred Prufrock.

It uses paper, acrylic paints, fiber and beads.
Here is a close up of the right side of the mermaid page.
Beads and fibers on the bottom and along the left side.
This is the left side of the page.
I had used this image in an earlier version but was not pleased with it.
Also, uses fibers and beads and a vintage button that has the appearance of something one might find in the ocean.
My altered book celebrates the three ages of a woman's life: maiden, mother and crone.
The text on this page above reads:
"The human woman gives birth just as the earth gives birth to the plants. She gives nourishment, as the plants do. So woman magic and earth magic are the same. They are related. And the personification of the energy that gives birth to the forms and nourishes is properly female.
From the Power of Myth by Joseph Campbell.
This page is the left side of a spread and is incomplete.

Here is the right side of the celebration of 'mother'.
The text reads:
"The middle aspect of the Goddess is the Mother-Queen. She Who Rules. She is always celebrated for Her fecundity. She Who GIves Birth to New Life but what about her "ruling" aspect, making decisions, taking responsibility, contributing leadership to what has been created? Middle age is a mental state. It begins when you accept your own power and are willing and proud to exercise it, by shaping your own life and contributing society at large. "
Paper, acrylics, antique lace, hand-painted dryer sheet.

This page brings together the maiden, mother and crone.
The text reads:
"Most ancient symbol systems recognized the triangle as a sign of the Goddess's Virgin-Mother-Crone trinity and at the same time as her genital "holy place", source of all life. The triangle represented the Virgin Moon Goddess called Men-Nefer, archaid deity of the first Mother-city of Memphis. The triangle itself was worshipped in much the same way that modern Christians worship the cross."

I don't think it is entirely complete.

I have re-worked this page several times and am liking it now although I think it needs some work still.
The text on this page reads,
"How might your life have been different if there had been a place for you.....a place of women where you were received and affirmed? A place where other women, perhaps somewhat older, had been affirmed before you, each in her own time, affirmed, as she struggled to become more truly herself."

NEW ALTERED BOOK PAGES

(post-pentimento)

The first page (above) is meant to be a celebration of the crone, the 3rd and final phase of a woman's life which she attains at the age of 56. It honors her wisdom and her power.

Paint, paper, fibers, fabric sheers and burlap, found objects.
I haven't decided if she is complete........

The next page is based on text about looking at the moon, 'solitary and mid-sky', and coming to know oneself completely, in every aspect.

Paint, paper, mesh ribbon.

The third page is based on text from a marvelous book entitled, Circle of Stones and poses the question, 'how would your life have been different' if you had a circle of women, older women who helped you to be comfortable in your own skin, your female-ness?
Paper, organza, antique lace and ephemera, vellum image.
This one is not finished.

This little piece is part of a page entitled, Faith, that was not sacrificed (to pentimento).
I had attempted to photograph it several days ago without success;
this try worked just fine.
These are shiney fibers over faux suede and entrapped under tulle and surrounded by satin stitching..

This final photo is from the page entitled, Hope.
It is created from bits of antique lace laid over muslin
and topped with a layer of fabric glue and then painted.
I am quite enthralled with this process.

Pentimento & An Altered Book

(I love that word)

Pentimento; the freedom to change, modify what has been done.

Yesterday, I practiced pentimento on my altered book.

With more time in my playroom, more focus and more energy

than at any other time during this entire summer,
I was able to look more critically at the initial pages of my altered book.
And didn't like some of what I had done.

An altered book is a great format for pentimento:
just cover over with paper or gesso. Start over.

I did: liberating myself from what hadn't worked.

This idea of pentimento is a nice nudge to the 'inner critic'.

You know the one, that says:
"not good enough."

It was so freeing to just move away and helpful, too,

as I really like what I've done and will post them later today.

Oh by the way, the image on this post is one of Celia Thaxter's Garden on Appledore Island, one of the Isles of Shoals. Larry and I will have our annual retreat there in September with a group from the Seacoast Science Center at Odiorne Point.

A Mixed Media Altered Book

I've been working in an altered book format for the last week or so. The book is a pristine old journal found at an estate sale or auction some time ago. It is cloth covered with the word, "Record" on the cover. The only writing inside was a lightly penciled name: the father of the atomic bomb. Strange, interesting, curious. I covered over the name.

Today, I want to post some the book pages in progress.

Hope

Paper, acrylic paint and distressed lace.

The lace technique was in Quilting Arts magazine and the finished product has great texture

(I tried getting up close and personal with the camera but still couldn't do it justice).

Here's how I did it.
Bits of antigue lace are laid over muslin to cover the entire surface. Using both straight and patterned stitches as well as free machine work, I sewed the lace tightly and then applied a thin layer of fabric glue the lace. After drying, I painted it with opaque paints and dyes. It just has so many intriguing uses: mount on driftwood, use in collage, little art quilts and so much more.

Faith
Fabric, paper, paint, fibers.
The text reads: "Last night I did not know that today it would be raining."
I received a card with this little sentence about 30 years ago and WOW just never forgot it .

The little fabric rectangle on the left is faux suede with lots of shiny fibers captured under tulle and satin stitched all around. Same deal: difficult to photograph.

Untitled, 1st spread
Paper, paint, fabric, photo fragments
Way more work to be done!

Girl Warrior I -- 1st page
Torn paper, acrylic paint, mesh ribbon, colored pencil.
She needs more work: the flowers are wishy-washy and the bottom left is totally incomplete.

I like her very much ~~ she exudes strength and purpose.

This is the cover of an antique book that is the catalyst for my altered book.

I'll post more when finished.

A Postcard(quard) Trade with Deb

I found this wonderful beauty in my mail box recently. And what a treat it was to open!

Deb in Alaska suggested we trade and I was immediately pleased to do so. She is a wonderfully artistic quilter. Deb wanted one of my postcards with original ephemera and I sent one of the 1933 Chicago Worlds Fair. My quard from her was a total surprise as she made it especially for the trade. Isn't is grand!

You will LOVE her blog and her website:
http://www.coldfeetquilter.com
http://akquilter1.com

Deb lives in Anchorage, transplanted there from the midwest. She's a full time nurse, wife, mom and grandmother. Her blog is a delight to read. Homey, cozy, warm and full of life. She has also posted images of their new cabin near Anchorage.

What I have enjoyed through her emails and blog are my memories of being in Alaska during three jaw-dropping trips. Several career moves ago, I worked for a research and training company that required a lot of travel to clients around the US. During that time, I made a number memorable trips to Anchorage and to Juneau.

Larry came with me on these trips. One year, we went to Anchorage in July: drove down the Kenai to Homer. Took the train to Denali. Drove to Seward. Spent a day in Talkeetna and watched for the famous bachelors (didn't see any). Also surprising was the 'newness' of everything -- towns that were incorporated in the 20th century; some that only electricity in the 1950's; one that had only recently paved an access road for autos. It is a show-stopping-kind-of-place.

Ate salmon and halibut and Japanese soups. I remember a picnic on the Kenai, eating fresh crab purchased in Homer; Larry took a photo of me wearing two sweaters and ear muffs. It was July.

We marveled at the late night sun. And used the over-worked word 'awesome' because no other word would do, was BIG enough, descriptive enough.

We returned in October that year to snow on the ground and nearly all-day dark. We watched little school children getting off the bus in what seemed like the middle of the night with snow falling.

So, thank you Deb for a gift of friendship. For releasing memories. And for a glorious tiny art quilt.

___________

Forget not that the earth delights to feel your bare feet
and the winds long to play with your hair.
Kahlil Gibran

"We must be willing to let go of the life we have planned
so as to have the life that is waiting for us."
E.M. Forster

These days.

I don't have as much time in my studio/playroom.

Oh, I'm not complaining.
Every moment I spend there is pure joy.

______________________

This little post card (or postquard as Deb H of Anchorage likes to say)
is antique lace over contemporary furnishing fabric
with various vintage and retro buttons.

The images are reproductions. 4X6

_____________________

These days.

When in my studio,
I am playing with an interesting technique.
Laying antique laces over a base fabric,
covering all with a fine layer of fabric glue and painting.
The effects are quite magical.
Photos to follow.

_____________________

These days.

We are enjoying a visit from Victoria, our very special 13 year-old granddaughter.

While here, she is working on a project with antique lace
that will become a strapless camisole when completed.
I'll have some fine photos to share.

If the sight of the blue skies fills you with joy,

if a blade of grass springing up in the fields
has power to move you,

if the simple things of nature
have a message that you understand,

rejoice,
for your soul is alive.

(Eleonora Duse)

EXPERIENCE JOY

"Has it occured to you that what feels like calamity may be a gift,
given to you because you are the rare being who can use a hard gift like this?

Dr. Hallowell to Hillary Stevens

Mrs. Stevens Hears The Mermaids Singing

May Sarton

At last!
Time and the high hot summer sun have given us lilies!

One small oval garden spot is dedicated to early spring blooms ~~~ tulips , narcissus, columbine & poppy. After that comes ethereal dancing daisey white & tall.
Then we watch and wait as lily's foliage becomes lushly green and the buds pregnant with color fairly burst from the pods.


Yesterday's unveiling: the first Pink Lily of the season.

And so in tribute to Lily, the Pink, I present here a children's lyric from the 1960's .
I love it!
Somewhat irreverant, amuzing and whimsical, and not at all descriptive of the "romance" of my garden's lily, it is actually an ode to Lydia Pinkham's potion or "compound.

LILY THE PINK

We'll drink a drink a drink
To Lily the Pink the Pink the Pink
The saviour of the human race
For she invented medicinal compound
Most efficacious in every case.

Mr. Frears
Had sticky-out ears
And it made him awful shy
And so they gave him medicinal compound
And now he's learning how to fly.

Brother Tony
Was notably bony
He would never eat his meals
And so they gave him medicinal compound
Now they move him round on wheels.

[Chorus]

Old Ebeneezer
Thought he was Julius Caesar
And so they put him in a Home
Where they gave him medicinal compound
And now he's Emperor of Rome.

Johnny Hammer
Had a terrible ss..ss..ss..ss..ss..ss..stammer
He could hardly s..s..say a word
And so they gave him medicinal compound
Now he's seen (but never 'eard)!

[Chorus]

Auntie Millie
Ran willy-nilly
When her legs, they did recede
And so they rubbed on medicinal compound
And now they call her Millipede.

Jennifer Eccles
Had terrible freckles
And the boys all called her names
But she changed with medicinal compound
And now he joins in all their games.

[Chorus]

Lily the Pink, she
Turned to drink, she
Filled up with paraffin inside
and despite her medicinal compound
Sadly Picca-Lily died.

Up to Heaven
Her soul ascended
All the church bells they did ring
She took with her medicinal compound
Hark the herald angels sing.

Credit for growing these lovelies pink lilies goes to Larry-of-the-green-thumb.
The lyric can be found at http://www.mum.org/Mrspink1.htm

"I'm sure that someone may already have told you about this, but there was a "pop" group in the 1960's in Britain called "Scaffold" whose main claim to fame was that one of them was Paul McCartney's brother and one was the Liverpool poet Roger McGough. However, they had a long-running number one hit with what most people took to be a children's song called LILY THE PINK."

Things We Do at 4:08 AM
when SLEEP*LESS*NESS Reigns

n: temporary state in which you are unable to sleep;

The One Word List

Borrowed from Susan, who borrowed Something to Say who borrowed from Scenes from a slow-moving train.

Only use one word answers.

Yourself: wondering

Your partner: caring

Your hair: short

Your mother: giving

Your father: deceased

Your favorite item: Pfaff

Your dream last night: none

Your favorite drink: margarita

Your dream home: open

The room you are in: office

Your pleasure: grandkids

Your fear: illness

Where you want to be in 10 years: seacoast

Who you hung out with last night: Larry

What you're not: tall

Your best friend: Larry

One of your wish list items: space

Your gender: female

The last thing you did:

What you are wearing: pj's

Your favorite weather: 70's

Your favorite book: novels

Last thing you ate: chicken

Your life: mine!

Your mood: hopeful!

The last person you talked to on the phone: Mom

Who/what are you thinking about right now: sleeplessness

Favorite food: ethnic

Just Can't Help Myself!

. . . From making these little mailable art pieces.


This one is called:

"I'll dance with you in Vienna".

Cotton prints, paper, tulle, oil pastels. 4X6 (this one is on its way to Shelly in Massachusetts)

This is the second in the series.

I started this project by culling out black & white fabric prints and looking through boxes of images and ephemera. And then searched for some color to add a punch.

And, this is the result.


Cotton fabric, paper, antique lace, oil pastels. 4X6

More Mailable Art

The postcard above is free machine thread-work on cotton and silk fiber bits, 4X6

Mawata (attenuated silk cocoon) over commercial cotton, thread-work, 4X6
(This one is on its way to Deb in Anchorage AK)

I have a small collection of ephemera ~~ original paper such as ticket stubs, advertising booklets, vintage postcards, photos and more. In the collection are pieces from the 1933 Chicago World's Fair. I thought it would be fun to build a fabric postcard using 1930's reproduction fabrics (that I've had for ages) and the related ephemera. This one has a Yellow Cab ticket stub that was good for five days while in Chicago at the Fair ~~ and cost was only $15.75! Just imagine!

Commercial prints, trim, vintage and contemporary buttons, ephemera, 4X6

A little expressionist art postcard. commercial prints, contemporary buttons, trim, 4X6

And, once I started in on the World's Fair theme, I just couldn't help myself. Here's one more.
Contemporary prints, vintage buttons, antique lace and a 25 cent ticket to the 1933 World's Fair in Chicago. 4X6

Life's a Journey (not a destination)
Echo stitching on contemporary sheer fabric, paper, thread embellishment, 4X6

One fish, Two Fish
Commercial prints, tulle, mawata (attenuated silk cocoon), beads, thread embellishment. 4X6
(this one is on its way to Maddie in Florida)

Oh, well. She perseverates.

Collaged bits and pieces from the World's Fair postcards. Commercial prints, 1933 ephemera, vintage tape measure piece, buttons and snaps, found embellishments.

These mailable art pieces can be posted for 39cents in the US. They aren't machinable hence the little higher cost to mail.

All are available for trade or purchase. Email interest to me at:

pats_studio@yahoo.com

Recent Mailable Art

Available for Trade or Sale

Antique lace, ephemera, commercial prints, reproduction image, 4X6

Antique lace from 19th century jabot, contemporary sheers, reproduction images. 4X6

Reproduction image on silk, antique crochet lace, commercial prints, 4X6

Collaged cottons, fibers, thread-work, 4X6

Broderie perse from Japanese sample cloth, echo machine quilting, 4X6

Collaged cotton, thread-work, large fabric beads, 4X6

Commercial print, ribbons, sequins, fibers, stacked vintage buttons, paper, beads, 4X6
(this one is on its way to Olivia in Florida)

Bear's Paw
From the southwestern tradition, symbolizes "power" and "direction"
Hand-dyed fabric on commercial print background

You can email your interest in trade or purchase at Pats_studio@yahoo.com

My mailable art trade with Beate

Beate lives in Dusseldorf, is a photographer and fiber artist. She contacted me requesting a trade of mailable art. I was thrilled and delighted as I had been visiting her blog and was inspired by her work. The postcard above is my trade from Beate. She named it, Explosion.

Beate's use of color and the wondrously thick thread-work is very effective. I love how the thread seems to take on the effects of paint.

Well I consider this a wonderfully successful trade!

You can find Beate at this address:

http://www.Beates-Fabric-Art.blogspot.com

We each chose the card we wanted from among those listed on our blog. Each card selected was very different. Each has its own strong narrative line. Mine uses antique lace and ephemera and is a sentimental presentation; her's is all contemporary with lush coloration.

We were both ecstatic with our trade!

It's A Summer-Kind-of-ThingThe New Hampshire coast is only 14 miles long.

But interesting and diverse.
It's a cultural landscape that abuts Massachusetts to the south
and Maine to the north.
Along the way is a funny mix of towns:
honky tonk Seabrook;
lush and quiet Rye;
old money New Castle;
boom town in Portsmouth.

One of our favorite spots is an old clam shack in Seabrook called Ceals's that was started just after WWII by a woman who handed down the business to daughter and then to granddaughter.

I suspect it has not changed one iota in over 60 years. It's success in based on a secret recipe for fried clams that is absolutely the finest on the coast.

Ceal's opens in early May on weekends only
but by June is open for business every day and night.
Larry and I will visit Ceal's once or twice a season to savor some of her delicious
(if artery-clogging) food.
It is a take-out sort of place with a little attached covered porch for eating.

A few weekends ago on an overcast Sunday, we made our trek to Ceal's and then made our way up the coast to Hampton Beach - which is a bit honky tonk now but wasn't in my youth.

We were set to match skills at Skee Ball on the board walk -
also an annual event for us.

I beat his pants off with great scores!

That weekend was the official annual challenge of sand sculptures and here are a few photos.

All on a fantastical theme.Pretty wonderful.

Mailable Art Trade

New Hampshire to Dusseldorf & Back

Recently I was contacted by Beate to make a fabric postcard trade. She had seen my postcards here and liked them.

I had been admiring her work for quite awhile.

This is my first postcard trade.

We made a plan to trade, each choosing one fabric postcard from the others collection that had been posted on our blogs.

Beate chose this card for her trade.
It is constructed of antique lace; I sewed a small antique greeting card to the base that dates from early 20th century. Under all is a hand-dyed dryer sheet and a contemporary sheer with a floral design.
I collect and sell antique linens and sometimes buy ephemera at auction. The little calling cards and small greetings cards always make me smile.

I mailed the card to Beate on Monday by air letter post and she should receive it within one week.

I cannot wait to receive my card. Beate's work is just wonderful. I chose a postcard entitled, Explosion. I will post it here when it arrives.