Art Journals

Inspired by long neglected blank journals, chips of shiny mica gathered on a tourmaline quest, boxes full of odd paper clippings, text and enigmatic illustrations, and each others good energy, my niece Myrica and I created these collaged artifacts. It was interesting that as we worked together we used some similar themed imagery, but with totally different results. I get happy just looking at our finished covers and I can't wait to  collage and write in the inner pages of my journal.

Myrica used earth and sky, female and male imagery with blue papers and text, felt and mica trails to add dimension and texture.

Myrica says her female figure with wings beneath her feet is "like she's bringing the love up to the world with the help of a butterfly" 
( I love that idea)

My journal used some long ago water-colored paper, map fragments and and circles (little worlds?), butterflies, mica and text.  Rediscovered the joys of colored penciling too.

Hope we can do another 'workshop' one day soon, Myrica!

Felted Wool Bowl

Yesterday I took a class at the Artist Tree Studio and Art Marketplace.  Something I have always wanted to try: wool felting.  This method used beautiful pure wool 'roving' from Holland and was taught by fiber artist and  teacher Carol Murphy.  Wow, what an interesting class and an opportunity for me to work in 3d in a wonderfully tactile medium.  Shown is my finished bowl (9 in. wide by 4 in. tall) which took about 2 hours.  Many steps to this process, and if you ever have kneaded bread or worked with clay, that would be a plus!  Gives your upper arms a workout.  Thanks to Carol and Janice and everyone at Artist Tree, a fabulous place to hangout, learn and also buy art from amazing artists in a wide variety of mediums.  I will definitely take some more classes there.  Maybe the encaustic collage next time, to take my manual collage and assemblage to another level.

From a work in progress: 'The Outkeeper'

"Subtitled  Aartwork for an Aardvark, she featured a woman wrapped in a Mexican blanket, a lanterned hand showing the way.  Looking back on myself it was clear that my own transformation was nearing the next level of completion.  Gone were vestiges from that evening of my first arrival.  Investigating and slew footing were now of the meta variety and the lit lantern suggested an uncertain path towards the unthinkable.”

From 'The Outkeeper' by:
Jeffrey Riordan Hinich © 2012

Artwork : Leslie Anne Cochran © 2012