Betty Or Bettie?

The Child's World First Reader, published by Johnson Publishing Company, 1917

Oh to be young and conflicted as to the best spelling of your name.... B-E-T-T-Y or B-E-T-T-I-E? And now Miss Betty Doris Winn's reader has found its way to my studio.

How Are You?

How Are You?, collage on orange book cover

Sometimes I discover nonsensical sense hidden in these old book cover pieces...

bells
broken
silly
Molly
sobbing

My mamma always said that silliness leads to crying.

New Collage

See Baby, original collage on book cover

Making Beds, original collage on book cover

Right, original collage on book cover

Like A Bridge, original collage on book cover

Do You Love Me?, original collage on book cover

These new collage pieces feature images from a 1940's children's health textbook and an old encyclopedia dating from around the same period. Collocating the saturated color imagery with black and white lithographs, photos and other scraps (including this and this) resulted in a collection with a slightly dark, nostalgic bent.

In other news I'm signing off for a long-ish weekend to visit family. I'll see you in July!

Mirage

Mirage, original collage on green book cover

“It is not down on any map; true places never are.”

 - Herman Melville, Moby-Dick

High Seas

High Seas, original collage on physiology book cover

A pair of book cover collage pieces with oceanic themes will be posted in the shop this evening. I'll be back in a bit with one more...enjoy!

Breakfast Collage

Breakfast, collage on old book cover



I've created a short time-lapse video so you can see this collage take shape one piece at a time. Picked up one of these so I could mount my phone directly over my workspace. Hoping to make more process videos to share with you in the future. Have a beautiful weekend!

Tethered

Tethered, original collage on book cover with single thread

Thinking about connections…from our first physical bond through the umbilical cord to the expansive global communication network we've labeled the internet. We are tethered to others and to our environment in our actions, thoughts and memories. We continuously tug, knot, fuse and sever these ties.

Night Rider

Night Rider, collage on worn arithmetic book cover

Rock-Paper-Scissors

Rock-Paper-Scissors, collage on old Lippincott's Physiology book cover

We play rock-paper-scissors all the time in our house to make decisions on this 'n that. It's an ancient game of strategy and such fun trying to psych out your opponent ;) Wanna try your hand at it? Play against the computer right here.

Magic Show

Magic Show, original collage on Ms. Lazzelle Hamilton's old reader

Looks like a book cover collage is the only piece I managed to complete this week. The new art blocks are coming along nicely and I promise to have them in the shop on Monday. Have a beautiful weekend.

Paper Boat

Paper Boat, original collage on old book cover

Some Thursday eye candy for you....paper boats.

Whale Trail

Whale Trail, collage on old physiology book cover

Yes, I know it's a dolphin. Inspired by Lizzie's current gaming obsession...Whale Trail.

Rock Stars

Rock Stars, original collage on old science book cover

And...the rock stars under construction a couple nights ago.

The Bathtub

The Bathtub, original collage on book cover

Sometimes our imagination gets the best of us doesn't it? I've got all sorts of fun objects brewing in the studio this week. I'll be back tomorrow with an assemblage that may or may not include a clown (but more than likely will).

Devil's In The Details

Devil's In The Details, original collage on Bobby's old book cover

Just sayin'.

Book Skin Quilts

Bee, book skin art quilt

 Little Folks, book skin art quilt

In my attempt to use all the parts 'n pieces of old books stashed away in the studio I've stitched together these mini art quilts using salvaged "book skins". The subtle coloring of the cloth bindings on old book covers enticed me to see if I could remove the cloth from the book boards and....voila!....a new collage material.

Also....a little reminder that the Spring Sale continues in both shops 'til midnight on Sunday.

Eye Eye Collage

Eye Eye, original collage on physiology textbook cover

Moral Hazard

Moral Hazard, original collage on old book cover

Remnant Collage

Remnant, original collage on book cover

Sunstroke Collage

Sunstroke, original collage on book cover

I've been scruffling (new word anyone?!) around in piles of paper and old books. Trying my best to whittle down my collection. As a result there is lots of new collage coming down the pipeline this week including some Spring-ish bricolage pieces. I'm so in the mood for Spring...only 16 more days!

And...since I've got cabin fever I'm going to be "spring-cleaning" at Sushipot this week, a continuation of this plan. All of the art blocks will be marked 1/2 off 'till next Sunday, March 10th. Keep checking back as I'll try to round up some of the old stock and put 'em in too.