Judge this book by the cover


The two-day workshop that Seth Apter taught (For Your Eyes Only) last weekend at Random Arts was inspiring and challenging and a big step outside my comfort zone. The supply list was fairly extensive and specific but when it was time to pull supplies, like a variety of papers, ephemera and objects, I had a hard time deciding what to pack.  So I pulled stuff without over-thinking it and ended up with ample, albeit completely unrelated-theme stuff. 
(Fortunately, Jane's amazing shop has a bit of everything, which alleviates the fear that all the 'right' stuff was left back in the studio. So no worries and I always return with lots more than I took.)


Seth's book is amazing and I love his gridded design approach; however, when we started to work I could not make the first one (though I understood the concept). But Seth is amazing. He shares brilliant techniques fully understanding that the same format might not work for everyone (like me), so once freed I got into the zone. Along with a few of my photographs I'd brought 2 pages of haiku that I'd written over the past couple of years; my theme presented itself. 




Having limited supplies turned out to be a blessing in this case. In the studio it would have taken weeks to figure out how to put pages together...  I used a painting and a lot of the painted papers I took.


And I had a bunch of vintage school paper used by "Lester" and his work appears throughout :) 



I had a bagful of batik and sari ribbon (supplemented by a trip to Jane's shop) and I found they made great binding covers, plus I love having things showing outside the piece.




Fortunately I had a lot of small scraps - burlap, screen, tissue paper, snaps, lace trim, mica, rick-rack, butterflies...



Seth said our books were filled with 'happy accidents'... or were they?



He gave a rather Freudian explanation for the dual face spread - half child and half emerging being....


And of course I had to use one of my faces.


and put an old library card in the back cover


I'd left the back cover blank but wrote a haiku when I got back to my studio.


We all experienced the same thorough, detailed demonstration and explanation of the processes.  But Sunday afternoon when we shared our work via 'show and tell' (which included Seth's thorough and amazing critique) I was blown away by the diversity, originality and creative interpretation. The only similarity was that they all had 2 covers. 
I think I'll take a break from painting faces and make another.


Comments

You have really inspired me. I may have to try a few of these techniques in a similar book, although mine is already put together (grin). I love how you have all the bits and pieces sticking off the edges of your pages.
You have really inspired me. I may have to try a few of these techniques in a similar book, although mine is already put together (grin). I love how you have all the bits and pieces sticking off the edges of your pages.
Oh, what fun! I can tell by looking at your beautiful book that you had a great experience!
~*~Patty S said…
First of all for you to say you'll take a break in painting faces says QUITE ALOT Patti :)
Packing supplies always vexes me a bit...I find it really challenging to guess what I might need...
Your pages must be such fun to touch and turn...they are so colorful and inviting!
I also admire your Haiku writing!!!
Michael DeMeng does really thoughtful critiques at the end of his classes and I thought that such a generous thing to do especially when he found something nice and constructive to say about everyone's work...
I look forward to catching up with Seth one day and having the chance to take one of his classes.
oxo
Bluefinch said…
Beautiful pics of your amazing book! Enjoyed the whole trip so so much! Can't wait to see the next book you create!
XOXOXO
Patti your book is so beautifully made and I love the quotes on your pages, thanks for your sweet comment on my book.
Anni
Seth said…
I love seeing the pages of your book Patti -- in all their glory. They shout your name loud and clear and really reflect the creativity that you bring to the table!!
J C said…
Your book is totally awesome. I LOVE it!! Working on altered books and little chunky books makes me more pleased than all the different art I've done ever. Right now I'm doing a traveling art journal with five other artists, and the challenge of each different book is amazing. I just really get into it. Can't wait to see your next project. Thanks for your comment. The answer: I don't stray much because of chronic bronc. I just get too worn out. Right now this FL heat is way too much. Keep on with the artsy stuff.
CERULEAN said…
Hello Patti, You've wn something...
See my blogpost...and send me your address by email. Eric

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