Patchwork Book Quilt

Orange, mixed media collage quilt with old book covers

Old books that find their way into my studio are dissected and skinned. When the box labeled 'book skins' starts to fill up I piece together another patchwork quilt. Some of the skins are more brittle than others so I've found the best method is to glue them together first and then add the stitching. In the image below you can see the pre-gluestick composition of my latest quilt.

Valentine Art Blocks

The Christmas tree was dismantled earlier this week and our winter wear is being put to very good use. It seems like the perfect time to look ahead to sweet thoughts of love and friendship. If I do say so myself....these Valentine art blocks last much longer than a box of chocolates and they won't melt either.

Walking On Water

Walking On Water, collage on "The Magic Boat" book cover

Late night quandary....trying to figure out which legs to use in this collage. The walking ones won.

Winter Collage Blocks

The first snowflakes of the season drifted down earlier this week. Looks like we're in for a long winter. On the to-do list this weekend....shop for snow boots. Gotta keep our tootsies warm! This wintery mix of collage blocks will be posted in the shop today.

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.

More Holiday Blocks

More holiday blocks for you this Monday morning. Lots of classic toys featured this time 'round....dolls, hobby horsies, a pull toy, balls, drums, a teddy bear and a roly poly clown. I've got a few assemblage pieces underway here in the studio and another handful of dangle ornaments. Will definitely get the ornaments in the shop this week and hopefully some assemblage.

Winter Art Blocks

 

We had our first freeze a few nights ago here in Springfield, Missouri. Some of the neighborhood trees are already bare and the sound of leaf blowers has become the norm. Looks like winter is right around the corner! A dozen art blocks are ready be stocked in the shop today along with some ornaments.

2014 Holiday Art Blocks

Oh what a jolly mix of toys and Santa Clauses I've concocted this year! Listening to Christmas tunes in October does the trick ;) I will be stocking the shop with these holiday art blocks (and a few others!) throughout the day.

Little Red Phantasm

Little Red Phantasm, collage on tattered book cover

Growing up there was one particular book that gave me serious heebie-jeebies. It wasn't so much the story as it was the images....this was the volume. One particular page made me shiver....the big bad wolf in Grandmother's bed....something about those very glinty eyes and the pink nightcap. I would always avert my eyes as I walked past the bookshelf where it was innocently perched. From time to time I would poke it back in the recesses so as to hide it the spine from my view. Even more infrequently I would carefully slide it from the shelf and dare myself to read it.

Chimera Collage

Chimera, original collage on old children's primer cover

I read somewhere recently that September is National Literacy Month. We always have a couple of read-aloud books going with Lizzie in addition to our own individual books. This week we maxed out our 50 book limit at the library. hah! Guess that's the way it goes when you home-school. Patrick and Lizzie are reading the newly released Sky Pyrates Over Oz. Lizzie and I have just started Little Women (we're on chapter 4 of 47). Patrick and I are both trying to read this book (at the same time) and keep stealing it back and forth. Lizzie just discovered the historical fiction books published by American Girl (thus our maxed out library card!) and I've been listening to the original Grimm's Fairy Tales while I work in the studio at night. I'd love to hear what you've been reading!

September Blocks

There are only twelve days 'til the autumnal equinox and around six weeks to Halloween. This means my September offering of art blocks needed a spine-tingling vibe....that and I've been listening to this reading of The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde while I cut and paste.

Noah's Ark

Noah's Ark, collage on Janis Sue Rubenson's old 'The Magic Boat' book cover

I mulled over the arrangement of the animals for some time....to stack or pile was the BIG question. Finally decided that stacking 'em was too Town Musicians of Bremen-ish. I think Janis Sue would approve. The lettering was culled from this Christmas catalog.

August Blocks

Summer is fleeting....I actually have the ac off and the windows flung open this morning....Springfield public schools started back today....Patrick starts teaching next week....the window of sunshine for our evening walks is narrowing....I'm not ready for it to end. This month's art blocks include snippets of Summer pleasures and hints of the coming Autumn. Let's savor these warm days while we still can!

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!

June Art Blocks

There are only ten days until the summer solstice here in the Northern Hemisphere. Filled these little treasures with lots of sunshine (and a moon!)....plenty to share with my friends on the Southern Hemisphere too ;) These will all be in the shop by the end of the day.

Keep Off The Moon

Keep Off The Moon, collage on old book cover

Maybe I got a little carried away with the stars on this one ;) I've got two assemblages in progress in the studio. As long as they behave I'll share them with you in a couple of days.

May Art Blocks

My offering of art blocks for the month of May will be sprinkled into the shop today. There are two distinct groups this round....one of fanciful fun and the other of natural wonder. Enjoy your weekend!

Three Bricolage

 The Hunter, Bricolage no 102, mixed media collage on panel

 The Virgin, Bricolage no 103, mixed media collage on panel

The Garden, Bricolage no 104, mixed media collage on panel

It's been a while since I added to the Bricolage series....so I've created this trio for the 1st week of May.

April Art Blocks

A bundle of April art blocks....steeped with longing for those endless summer days just 'round the corner. April has been such a tease so far hasn't she? I'll post these art blocks (and a few others) in the shop throughout the day.

Book Quilt

Insects, hand stitched collage book 'skin' quilt

Finally got around to photographing the book quilt I shared with you last week. This patchwork of frayed book skins represents many different volumes....a French dictionary, children's primers, a physiology textbook, various science books, a guide to insects and a bible story book.

A big thanks to those of you who shopped at my Spring Sale! If you're reading this and missed it I'll plan to keep the coupon code active 'til tonight ;) Coming up this week are two 'wall doll' assemblages and a group of April art blocks.