Take it and Run

I stumbled across Richard  Watkins one day while I was commenting on another bloggers post. His blog name "Pen Paper Pause" looked interesting so I dropped by...and stayed! Richard does "Thought Sketches" candid sketches accompanied by only a few words- observations of the world around him, reflections on events or people and short poems. The blog has a kind of "post secret" quality in that you feel like you are glimpsing inside his mind and sharing in his thoughts. His sketches are simple, honest and real. I  recommend you click on over to his blog or his flicker page and check it out. Richard also has lots of good ideas... a physical blog space in a book store was one that caught my attention. Instead of logging on to see a new post you simply walked in and saw the latest entry on a wall. Good idea!

Anyway...I was really enthusatic when I commented and one sketch in particular really clicked with me, a simple piece called Autumn.  When Richard emailed and asked if I'd like to take part in "Take it and Run" I could hardly believe my luck! I felt even luckier when I realised  the piece 'Autumn' was available for me to play with too! This is what he said...The idea is simple. People like you take one of my pen paper pause sketches, and run with it. Using your own individual style, create an entirely different visual execution that still uses the words of the original. The totally new from the old.

Below is my contribution to his project. Thanks Richard!

Lino print leaf coloured with water colour paints and lead pencil.

I adore the bright colours of the leaf but I think the decayed leaf which is just lead pencil and the ink from the print is kinda special too!

Below my finished collage which I have titled "Autumn Too."

Leaf prints, ripped circle, coffee dyed paper, old bridge pad paper, thread, recycled paper. The top piece with all the numbers was found inside a book I got at the second hand shop. I love finding ephemera from the previous owner!

The text is from Richard's thought sketch and it says...

There is a certain nonchalance

to how Autumn leaves fall

as if they are fully aware

of their beauty

as if they are fully at ease

with their death.

                                                                               

Thanks to everyone who popped by yesterday and shared the warmth with me. I love hearing how you've enjoyed  my imperfect leaves...and I love visiting your blogs too!

Coming soon: A pulpy post! My fingers havn't just been sewing paper collages ya know!

The ICE exhibition will be online April 1st (our April 1st) collages sell fast so if you want to grab a great piece of art from any of the 120+ artists participating you better mark your calenders now!

ICE # 11 and 12

ICE 2010 #10

Series: Chain Reaction

Title: Delicate

Recycled flour bag, old playing card scoring paper, bird image from book (gifted) thread, scrap paper, serviette.

A common theme that I keep coming back too in my mind while I have been working on the 'chain reaction'series is that creating balance (or a lack of ) is quite often the result of a chain reaction. We either add to our environment or we take away from it. "Delicate"  was created from delicate textures and lines to reflect the structure of our own delicate environment. I believe it should be treated like a precious jewel, a delicate and beautiful gift we (mankind) need to take care to not harm it, to make sure that it isn't tarnished  and that we put back what we took out, that we achieve a balance that reflects the delicate nature of it. Wouldn't a chain reaction set off by the actions of love be an awe inspiring, life giving thing?

ICE 2010 # 11 

Series: Chain Reaction

Title: Nightingale

Poetry by William Wordsmith, old envelope, pencil drawing, thread, recycled flour bag, lunch wrap paper, scrap paper.

William Wordsmith wrote the poem that inspired this collage. For a while I was a little stumped because I couldn't  find the image to go with it...and then it occured to me I didn't need one!
I drew the pencil circle and arrows to illustrate the earth and the words from the poem "True to the kindred points of heaven and home" and realised that this was all it needed. This is just a verse but, to me this poem, seems to be drawn from a place of love and respect for the Nightingale and for our earth. He seemed to acknowledge that we have our place on this earth and so do they. I have to say, I agree with him!

We should not seek to over power another, to out-smart or out-do.We need to live here together but with us in our place and them in theirs. Our intellect can over-ride our instinct and we seem to forget to 'play nice and share nicely.' Surely it's time for mankind to remember how?

This series is very nearly complete....watch this space for my last collage and a special give-away to celebrate!