Sketch Book Project

I decided to take part in the Sketch Book Project for the first time this year. I love the concept of this project! If you're not familiar with it please go here to find out.My favorite part of the project is the fact that these books will eventually belong to a library and be issued by the public like a regular library book.

 How cool is that?

I've had a brilliant weekend and have managed to make these 3 pages plus get a graffiti page 90% complete! Wahoo! The theme I chose to work in is 'Nothing New' which seemed like a logical choice for me seeing as though I love to recycle and reuse! I decided to take it a step further and use old papers from projects past. When I start a new project I like to use a new method, colour or idea to glue the project together and to provide inspiration. At the end of each project I usually have bits left over and if it looks usable I can't bear to part with it! It ends up in a stash...but then I don't use it because in my heart/mind it belongs to particular project (any one else do that?) eventually I end up with all these papers that I love but don't use!

To be honest I think I form an attachment to them because they symbolise not only a particular project but also a cycle of growth and discovery. I've realised I have a lot of emotion invested in that time and these bits of paper become like photographs to me.

Below are the first 3 pages in my book, Paper Trail.

Paper Trail #1

Remnants of Four weeks in a Season, Take it and Run, Pulp Redux, ICE 2010 and 2011

Paper Trail #2

Remnants of ICE 2010 and 2011, Four Weeks in a Season,

Paper Trail #3

Remnants of ICE 2011, Four Weeks in a Season

These pages aren't glued into the book yet and when I put them in they'll be divided up by journal notes and a sketch or two, it is a sketch book after all!

PS: I'm having trouble visiting some of your blogs! In particular blogs that ask me to select my account, which for some reason I can't although I clearly have one!

VD pages

It's been a while since I used my Visual Diary so the other day I reacquainted myself with old works and read the notes I'd written my self. Feeling inspired I spent some time doing prep work for the next ICE series. These are 3 pages from my visual diary, the collages are unrelated to the ICE collection I just mentioned. I  created them quite a while ago, at the time of my circle and dot experiment.s They've been floating about in a drawer for far too long and it's good to see them glued into my VD. I had intended for the bottom 2 collages to be part of my 4 weeks in Autumn series but they never got there because life 'getting in the way' instead!

Sometimes it is a struggle to evolve my work while keeping it true to me. I can't tear myself away from the nests, birds and ripped papers ( I love these ripped seeds!)

The map pieces are a new addition and I like the vertical lines in the top collage. I think I will explore the use of them a little further even though I naturally go for curves.

Speaking of the ICE series...Dale Copeland is currently in Bulgaria where she attened the opening ceremony for the exhibition of our collages in Bulgaria. She said that the collages are either framed in groups of 6 or bound together in books. How exciting!

Here's a copy and past of part of Dale's email to the group telling us where the collages are... "apparently they were excavating for an underpass and discovered an ancient street with huge paving stones. And the remains of a very luxurious house with mosaic tile floors, a fountain in the guestroom .... this is from Roman times, at the peak of luxury in their empire. What to do with this find? They built an art gallery around it! Your collages look superb there. And Bulgarians take art as seriously as they take history."

I can hardly believe one of my collages, created on my lounge floor is now in such a place!

Quite a few visitors have said they want to do the collage exchange next year and I really hope you do. Put some time aside and commit to this project because it really is worth it!

Last but not least, the fabulous Donna Watson of "Layers" has put together a wonderful post featuring collage artists, nests and poetry. Perfect! Donna even did me the honour of featuring one of my collages...thanks Donna! You can see the post here.

Final Chapter: ICE 2010 and the Copeland Collection

Artist: Susan Mabray Gnaedinger (USA)

My collages from the International Collage Exchange are here! The arrival of the collages means that the final piece of this years exchange has fallen into place. For me it started with the 'chain reaction' series back in September of last year. What an awesome journey of discovery that was! It's also incredibly satisfying to complete a whole series of 13 collages and to be pleased with the outcome of each one. They all reflected me and what I wanted to say and it's a real bonus to be able to look at them and see that 99% of the materials used are recycled and didn't end up in the landfill. Dale Copeland sorts all the collages and 1 collage becomes part of an exhibition which is both 'real' and online. I was fortunate enough to sell my collage this year and that brings it's own sense of satisfaction of course! That brings me to now! The final ICE post for the 2010 exchange.  I did put together a slide show of all the collage I received but blogger is telling me it is an unsupported file format. I'm not sure why but I will try again tomorrow and see if it's just a temporary blip. You can see one of the collages I got above. Dale really does do a fantastic job trying to match up artists that have similar elements in there work. I received a lot of collages containing stitch work this year or collages of similar themes. Great work Dale!

I purchase Dale Copelands book "The Copeland Collection' and that also arrived with my collages. The book is bound by Dale and features about 100 of the many collages she has in her own personal ICE collection. I photographed a few of my favorite pages from the book which is available from Dale if your interested in obtaining your own copy.

Last but not least is a the 'Mad for Colours' swap hosted by LaWendula, who just so happened to be my partner in this months exchange. Here's what she sent me...

My parcel also included some of her wonderfully soft and colourful homespun wool! Lucky me:)

Thanks to all of you who have popped by recently, I have every intention on dropping by your blogs very soon!

And the winner is.....

CoNgRaTuLaTiOnS!!

PENNY from the blog "With My Boots and Sketchbook"  is the lucky winner of my ICE Celebration giveaway! I used the old fashioned lucky dip from a bucket method to draw the winner.

Thanks to everyone who stopped by to comment on my collage series "chain reaction" and to all those who liked my art enough to want to enter the giveaway! MWAH!

In case you missed it last time here's what Penny has won.

 While on the subject of the International Collage Exchange here's a preview of the official postcard that Dale has put together. It serves as an invitation to the exhibition's opening as well as a momento of the exchange. Each participating artist will recieve atleast one in their package of fantastic collages.

Cheer's Dale!

Very soon I will be able to link it up to the online exhibition going live on April 1st.

Another exciting thing happening in blogland, although completely unrelated to ICE is Seth Apter's
 BOOK GUILD.
This is an event happening on his blog each Sunday now that 18 amazing Secret Sunday's have gone by and that project has finished. Thanks Seth!

Knowing the quality of Seth's posts (not to mention his art!) and can be fairly certain that this is something you don't want to miss so click on over to his blog and sign yourself up!

Oh, and don't forget to grab yourself this snazzy little thumbnail for your blog and enter his giveaway while your there!

ICE # 13- Ripple Effect and a special GIVEAWAY

I've finished all of my collages for the 2010 International Collage Exchange! I am feeling so pleased with myself! I love the look of the completed series, I love the feeling of satisfaction I get when I look at each one and I am really looking forward to seeing the ICE exhibition on line.  You can see the complete collection on Lucky Dip ICE. You can see number 13 below.

ICE  2010# 13.

Series: Chain Reaction.

Title: Ripple Effect.

I'm not loving the photo but I am loving the collage! I'm loving the ripped circles and just know that you'll be seeing more of these! I uses various sized bowls and lids to rip around so it's just like ruler ripping but round. Why havn't I thought of that before?? I was so involved in making sure I got the series completed last night (co-incidently 3 months to the day from when I started. The 13th collage was also completed on the 13th day of the 3rd month...anyone here into 3's? )

I've wandered off...sorry. Ripple Effect is one of the first concepts that I came up with when I originally brainstormed the ideas I had for the series. We all create ripples, some fade away quickly others are ever increasing. They are the chain reaction. As I've said so many times before we all need to act respectfully and consider the chain reaction of each of our actions. They all count. Our planet and our own survival are dependant on it. We are imperfect beings, I don't claim to be otherwise. I drive a car, I smoke(!) I create rubbish each day I'm alive...but I try. I try to change what I can and have the smallest footprint I can and hopefully it's enough. It's what we do collectively that counts and I think my series has reflected that. I am happy and I hope you've enjoyed the journey with me. I have certainly enjoyed having you all along on it!

To celebrate I've created a small collage titled ' Ripples" which I am giving away to one lucky visitor. All you have to do is leave me a comment here or on the Lucky Dip ICE blog before the 23rd (another 3 in the 3rd month of the year...what's with these 3's!?) and if your name is randomly chosen  (a lucky dip of course) it's all yours!

I've used many of the same elements that I have in the other collages, just smaller. This piece is 14cm x 12cm, the rest are 30cm x 21cm. Come celebrate with me!

If you havn't done the exchange before but have been thinking about it I fully reccomend giving it a go. 13 collages sounds like a lot but you have until March 2011 to get them done for next years exchange so it's not that big a task really:) If your still not sure then please check out my Lucky Dip ICE blog and see the slideshows of the collages I have recieved in the past 2 years. You know you want some too:)

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!

Misc.ICE # 10, Crazy Swap, Vegetable Dyes...

Misc. Miscellaneous. A word to describe a mixed bunch of things that don't neatly fit into one catergory. It's been a miscellaneous kind of week.This blog post certainly is. ICE, Natural Dying, Paper swaps, Paper -making. A miscellaneous collection of things that describe my art. I ramble.It's been a rambling kind of week.So many things have happened here lately that have really sucked my creative time up, my time when I connect with myself and with nature.How did that happen?Well, I know how..but why? I don't know. It just did. Now I feel all dried up, ideas without motivation to carry them out. The TO DO list getting longer and time just tick, tick, ticking away. I finally realise that my art is connected to my emotions and that one does not thrive without the other being totally in tune...I realise that by allowing situtations to affect my emotions I also allow them to affect my art. I said in my last post that 'quietly in the chaos' I had made progress with an ICE collage and that there'd been some exciting Pulpy happenings.The latter is still in progress, I am expecting Alicia's book to arrive any day now and I've just posted on Lisa J's to Debrina. Round 2! I can't wait.

ICE 2010 collage # 9

Series: Chain Reaction

Title: Urban Suburban

Owl book image, handmade paper from Danit, handmade paper dyed with onion skins (mine) painted paper scrap, old bridge pad paper, thread.

Above is my 9th ICE collage.. it should've  taken 1 or 2 good days has taken me about 10! It's been completed in small steps and stolen moments! They're precious moments arn't they? The difference between progress and standing still, the difference perhaps between being alive and simply living? Sounds dramatic I know, but as I said- it's been one of those weeks!

I don't quite connect with this piece the way I did with some of the other collages, I think it's because the main image is not mine. It does express what I wanted it too though, the crossing over of urban and suburban. Wild birds in well populated areas, still free but modified to suit their new environment. This is the chain reaction created by human's moving in and taken over their habitat. We either force them to move out or force them to move in.  Ever noticed how many sea gulls live a long way inland? How many predator bird species dwell in cities? How fuzzy the line between urban and suburban has become. A bird can build a nest without leaving a negative impact on the space in which it has chosen, why too don't most of us?

I think my vege dye experiments are a result of this awareness. An effort to keep my own footprint on this earth down. I'm also curious about the cause and effect created by different plant sources. Red cabbage makes a beautiful, deep violet colour until you add fabric to it. The fabric is much paler. I would have thought that the violet would overpower the white but they seem to have met each other in the middle. It's completely different to mixing paint when one teaspoon of violet would have a big impact on 4 or 5 times that amount of white.

The paper is of course, hand made. I saw the resulting colour from the cabbage and cloth experiment and didn't want the same shade of paper so I decided to add a really strong brew of tea (about 7 tea bags to 250 ml of hot water) and tip it in. The resulting dye was black with a slight hint of purple. The colour when the pulp was added was a really exciting shade of stone grey. The result when dry? Light grey! My hands while mixing the pulp? A strangely coloured tea and cabbage smelling mess! haha. Good thing I was outside. The cabbage smell took a while to go...

Below: Crazy Swap items from Carla in Canada...

Isn't it amazing how 2 artists who've never met could send each other such similar things?

My partner also sent me some lovely, lovely vintage postcards (1926) and a vintage valentines card...they have real messgages on them and deserve their own post...so their own post they will get!

LaWendula of Woven Letters organised a crazy paper swap. Participants had to be brave and sign up for the swap without knowing what we'd be swapping...a fun kinda crazy! The top 2 pics of the 4 below show what I sent my partner (who is dosn't have her own blog..sorry) and the bottom 2 show what I recieved. I am very happy and will make very good use of it all. Thanks Carla and LaWendula!

ICE # 9 Ironic

International Collage Exchange

Series: Chain reaction

Titile ICE 2010 # 9: Ironic

Teasel linocut printed on serviette using  my H.A.T method, thread, handmade paper (white) and handmade paper using onion and tea dye pulp, recycled book text and image, paper scrap.

I really enjoyed making this collage. The textures are beautiful to touch and I really enjoyed stitching it, each stitch being a process of theraputic mark-making and not simply a functional way to hold it all together. The bird featured in this collage is a Sparrowhawk. Beautiful, skillful Hawks similar to Peregrine Falcons. Sparrowhawks prey primarly on small birds like sparrows, thrushes, finches and quail but they're also capable of hunting bigger birds such as pigeons and partridges.

Humans have long had a love/hate relationship with the Sparrowhawk. Their feeding habbits have made them unpopular with many humans, particulary poultry farmers who have blamed the loss of chicks on the Sparrowhawk and with Pigeon racers who fear the loss of birds during races. Studies have shown that while Sparrowhawks can and will take these birds they're not as 'guilty' as first thought- but that hasn't improved their popularity within certain circles! Studies have also shown that humans are responsible for more Sparrowhawk deaths than the hawk is for chicken or pigeon deaths.

It was for this reason I titled the collage "Ironic." It's ironic that humans can dislike a bird for it's natural predatory nature when we are actually more of a threat to songbirds, farm birds and many other families of birds than the Sparrowhawk ever will be! Dislike of the Sparrowhawk has led to hunting them to reduce their numbers and attempts at relocating the birds to more 'suitable' homes. It's also ironic that those who breed birds (who eventually become our own meals) can dislike another bird for much the same thing!  many have failed  to realise is that Sparrowhawks are an asset to our environment, helping to keep populations of fruit/crop /insect loving birds at healthy levels and maintaining natures natural balance. When we take the Sparrowhawk out of the equation the chain reaction is that of increased populations of other bird species resulting in the need to seek solutions to deal with them. We also resort the use of chemicals to deal with increased populations of the 'pest' insects the smaller birds prey on. Ironic isn't it?

We're going away for a family wedding in a few days so this will be my last post for a wee while. I'm hoping to do a virtual tour of the globe first and I will (of course!) be looking forward to seeing what you've all been up too when I get back! 

Oh, and last but not least! Please follow the new  "Barter Circle" badge on my sidebar to Debrina's blog she's got a the beginnings of a great project going on over there and it's worth the click:)

Take care and happy creating!

ICE # 8 Expired

International Collage ExchangeCollage #8

Title: Expired

Chain Reaction Series.

Found library issue slip, recycled flour bag (paper) recycled vintage bridge scoring sheet, coffee dyed serviette, photo copied book image, thread.

Number 8 in my series is titled 'Expired' due to the finch pictured and not due to the library slip. The bird was found in a book of extinct species, the book was around 100 pages long and featured many species on one page. Beautiful illustrations but sad facts- and it's not complete list of extinct species! For me each animal shown is a representation of bad decision making, the direct result of a chain reaction set in place by some one or something other than themselves. There are ineviatble costs involved in they way humans  of today live and for some creatures the price is high.Too high.   When will enough be enough?

This is most likely the last collage I will complete this year. I am quite pleased to be at number 8 out of 13 collages and I'm grateful the extended time frame is allowing be to produce much more thought out collages and the time to stitch them! It was a bit dificult at first getting back into the swing of things with paper but it was enjoyable once I finally got going! Fabric is a lot more forgiving! Atleast if you put a stitch in the wrong place with fabric you can take it out and start again. Paper leaves a tell-tale hole mark and there's no going back! That aside there's not to much of a difference and I look forward to combining fabric and paper into the same collage! Maybe number 9?

I hope you are all well and enjoying the festive season!

Lucky. ICE 2010 # 7

Title: Lucky. ICE collage # 7

Series: Chain reaction

International Collage Exchange 2010

The number 7 seems to be an appropriate number for a collage about luck! It wasn't intentional, but it must make this extra lucky right? I was inspired by Seth's comment on a previous post about the 2 nests Ihad recently  found. He said (probably jokingly) that finding two nests must be a sign of good luck in some cultures and the words stuck in my head. They floated around there until my husband bought me home TWO more nests and I of course did feel very lucky! I took it as a sign of sorts that it was time for the collage to 'be' and from there it pretty much created itself. I love it when that happens!

In keeping with my 'Chain Reaction' series and the idea of luck I created this collage as a tribute of sorts to my love of birds and nests. Birds do a lot of good in our enviroment, natural regeneration and green pest control being just two of them. I certainly feel lucky to watch them, to hear them, to find their nests but It is not due to luck that we have birds. We don't keep their population in healthy numbers by share good luck. We don't have the pleasure of their dawn songs as a result of luck. We have these things as a result of responsible living and decision making. We need to make choices with the chain reaction in mind.

Below is a photo taken by my front door. I don't know anything about feng shui but I do know that this sight blesses my heart each day! The wild and random looking nest on the top of the box is one of the two nests DH bought home for me. It's it awesome? I  would have loved to see how the little bird made that!

This tiny cup like nest is one of my favorites and was the second one DH bought that home today. He found it in some Avocado trees. It's the most beautiful compact yet lightweight little nest. The outside is covered in moss and cobwebs and under the outside covering there's a 1 cm (half an inch?) thick layer of dry grass and sawdust. The inside is lined with very thin thread like plant fibre. It's adorable. I think it's a native Fantail nest (but not positive) judging by the size and shape of it. I've read they created the nest around themselves turning as they go to create the inside of the cup shaped nest. (Just incase you wanted to know!)

Balancing Act ICE # 6

International Collage Exchange 2010

Collage series: Chain Reaction

Collage title: Balancing Act

Number 6 in my 'Chain Reaction' series is ' Balancing Act' and I've drawn from 2 places of importance to me. Nature is one (of course!) and the second being my theory of scoiety being a nest (which was the theme of my first collage exchange series.) School's have a lot more responsibilty apon there shoulders than to 'just' educate our children. They have a responsibility to provide a safe environment (nest) for the education to take place in, a place of hope, emotional wellbeing and joy. If our children are fortunate school is a great place and it's a time of good learning and personal developement but sadly, in the case of some schools there are many children (baby birds) that fall from the nest and are left with the inability to fly as far as they could have. It's a balancing act. In nature us humans often upset the natural balance of life, we take to much and give back too little. The scales are tipping and a chain reaction is set  in place. Each day we have a responsibility to make decisions that help to keep the balance right and when we do that nature takes care of the rest,which I think is the most important balancing act of all.

School book image, NZ King Fisher and NZ's smallest Wren, library issue slip, thread, recycled book text and scrap list paper.

Below are the other 5 in the series so far. There will be 13 when the series is complete and number 7 is currently under construction! I had the idea playing in my head, inspired by a comment Seth made on a previous post and then when my husband bought me home not one but two more nests I took it as a sign! I am so lucky to have these nests and I love each one of them... I will post photos of the two new additions when the collage is completed. If you want to join the exchange get your skates on and visit the virtual tart website for more info. Dale Copeland does a fantastic job of hosting and co-ordinating this exchange and I recently came across this interview which was filmed in her studio. Just awesome!

ICE 2010 #5 and Art Exchange Piece

ICE 2010 # 05

Series: Chain Reaction

Title: Co-dependant

In this collage I've explored the chain of dependancy that we have on the animals and plant life we co-exist with. I've chosen the stitched feathers to represent not just birds but the cycle of regeneration. Birds not only spread seeds directly but play a role in pollination and pest control. I am in total admiration of birds! The numbers represent both the gradual demise of many species of animals and the gradual destruction of land. It also symbolises time, that clock is ticking and if were not responsible with our resources I believe we will eventually find our planet as that X.  The brownish paper has a list of animal origin foods such as butter, milk, eggs and meat.

Every thing we do on has a effect on another part of the chain and we have the power to make decisions that will make the chain reaction a positive one.

              

                  Stitched feathers using second hand shop thread, recycled paper from school multiplication graphs, lead rubbings , handmade paper scrap.             

This is my artwork for the Art exchange which I have sent on it's way to Jill Zaheer. I called it "Weathered" and it's a nest lino print and a srap weave sewn onto coffee dyed watercolour card. It measures approx 8.5" x 6.5". I am quite pleased with the way this turned out although a little upset I didn't notice the slight fold on the nest! when I photographed it! It's not like that normally so try to picture it without it:)

If you'd like to play in the exchange I am still looking for 4 more people to sign up (so to speak!) It's an easy swap, make one piece of art and recieve many more back! Leave me a comment if you'd like to play!

Lucky Dip ICE

Just a quick post to let you all know that I've created a 2nd Lucky Dip blog, Lucky Dip ICE which is the archive blog for collages sent and recieved this year and last year. I will add the collages created for the 2010 exhchange when they're all completed! Thanks John for planting the idea for a seperate blog!

ICE 2010 #4 On loan

International Collage Exchange 2010
Series: Chain Reaction
Title: On loan

Teasel lino cut on coffee dyed paper,teasel ofcut on painted paper, hand made paper, library issue pocket, paper clips, thread, brads.

'On loan' reflects my belief that this earth is not ours. We are a part of this earth and it is part of us, we do not own it, it is simply ours to enjoy while we are here. In keeping with my chain reaction theme I am making reference to the fact that what we do here set's in place a chain reaction that alters the environment that we leave for future generations.
I have enjoyed making this, I was challenging myself to create something that was different yet not to different from what I usually do. For now what I am doing is really working for me but I don't want to get to comfortable in it! Sometimes when I try to make a change from what I normally do I don't end up liking what I have done, it dosn't reflect me and I find it uncomfortable. Not so this time, I think there is enough of my regular elements and colours for me to still feel like this is...me and that is a good feeling!