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.

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.

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!

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!

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!

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.

Doily Collage

Another late night peek from my studio. Here I'm working on another doily collage. The doily has been starched, ironed and painted to lend a somewhat firm, paper like surface. Next step will be to add a bit of stitching around the border of the collage. Not certain it needs it here but I love hand stitching ;) And yes...if you were wondering...those tools are indeed forceps.

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.

2013 Holiday Blocks

Jingle bells...jingle bells...the holiday blocks are here! A festive assortment of Sushipot collage blocks are ready to be sprinkled into the shop throughout the day. If you wish to reserve a block please email me your request. And...to sweeten the deal...these holiday art blocks will ship for free anywhere in the world.

Devil's In The Details

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

Just sayin'.

Pastiche Collage

 Pastiche, original collage on painted doily with hand stitching

My collection of vintage doilies continues to grow and (as with all my collections) has become fair game for collage. It's amazing what a bit of starch, paint 'n sandpaper will do to the surface of a doily. As for the objects...that's just me getting a little OCD again.

In other news...what's up with this view out my window?

Ship In A Bottle

Ship In A Bottle, original collage on vintage physics textbook cover

Bottled History from Smith Journal on Vimeo.

Have you ever wondered how in the world they get those darn ships into a bottle? Patrick and I watched this truly fascinating portrait of one Australian man, Ray Gascoigne, whose got the magical art of 'ship-in-bottle-making' down to a science. I was inspired...not to try my hand at stuffing a ship in a bottle but to make a little collage of my own.