Altered Book Project - Introduction

So, what is an "Altered Book" you ask? Good question... I asked this very thing in class two months ago. I had no idea there was such a thing. In fact, altering a book in this way seems almost destructive to an avid reader like me. Regardless, I am embarking on my first altered book project. The book I've chosen came from the Calgary Public Library "For Sale" section and it cost me 50 cents!

The title of the book I will be altering is "The Effects of Light". Right now I am scanning the book to find those nuggets of art history and technique... some really fun and informative passages that I will keep as part of the finished product.

Not only will this book be a work of art, it will be a work about the artistic journey through the principles and elements of design. And that is about all I know right now. I will definitely be taking photos and posting updates here. Stay tuned!

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ATC Treasure Chest

This ATC is part of a set I am doing for a swap in my class... I think I have until next Monday to come up with the rest. I've got some work to do, believe me. I really enjoy these little projects. I get a sense of accomplishment from working on and finishing these even though they are tiny - same size as a baseball or hockey card.
In order to get myself started on these I grabbed some "starts", found interesting places and cut them out. From that point I just ponder the pattern before me and start making a line here, a wash there, some ink to define this or that... etc. It's lots of fun...
I'm also preparing a book to be altered... it's got a great title and I'll tell you all about that tomorrow. Really, I WILL tell you about it TOMORROW!

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Color studies

Well, it looks like I'll be able to paint again later this week. Yipee! I've painted with the little girls over the holidays but nothing serious. I'm craving some painting time so whether or not I still have company, I WILL be painting on Thursday for sure! I've missed it and I can't wait.

These color studies were completed back on December 17th in preparation for a larger painting. I did them in my sketch book and I must use too much water to make this work well - lots of buckling and far harder to lift anything (IMHO). Anyhow, I'm now considering what I'll paint when I get back to it late this week. All the family votes to date tell me to paint the one with RED trees! Interesting, I like it best too but I thought they would balk at red trees.

Hope to see you here tomorrow!

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Today's Art - Kiera and Grandma

These two paintings were done by my Granddaughter, Kiera who is 4 1/2. This is what she wanted to say about her first painting. "I love my painting because it's so good. I named a tree and under it stood. I love it all the time a little river that I see all the time. The sunshine was very warm there - it was Mexico. I couldn't leave my trip so I stayed until the next airplane. It was warm and sunny. It was cold at home in Canada.
I like you because you were my favourite tree". KIERA THE END

This is what Kiera had to say about her second painting: "I love you because you're my favourite painting art. My stream was very good. The tree was really covered up when a storm was there. The yellow is lots of sunshine and fun on the beach. And I see you next time. Kiera, Goodbye!

I'm getting used to a new camera. Just now as I sit down to post the images I can see they are blurry and I shall have to try again tomorrow. Stay warm!!

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Artist Trading Cards.....

These two artists trading cards are my first attempts and I'm enjoying the process. I did these while on vacation in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. The themes are definitely inspired by the sights and scenes from our trip. I found a small, local art store in Puerto Vallarta and picked up some tissue paper and glue which I used to collage the dancer's dress and apron. Enjoy!

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Marina View Sketch

Ron and I arrived in Mexico November 29 and this was the busy view from our deck. Between the trees we could watch folks taking their meals at the BBQ palapa. Immediately behind that was the marina... a red and white sailboat is passing in this view. More on Mexico coming.... Enjoy!

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Mexico tomorrow!

Ron and I are off to Mexico for two weeks. We leave tomorrow and it doesn't look like we will have much internet access while there. I will post as I'm able... I plan to do some sketching and a LOT of photography while there. I leave you with 2 photos... the first is one of the friendly faces I hope to see again, the second is a lovely sunset over the palapas on the Bay of Banderas. I've also provided some information on the peregrinaciones that we will see from Dec 1-12 in Puerto Vallarta.

FEAST OF OUR LADY OF GUADALUPE (source )

The celebration of Our Lady of Guadalupe (Virgen de Gualdalupe), with its colorful religious processions (Peregrinaciones) from December 1-12, is the most public and extended religious holiday in Mexico. Guadlupe is the patron saint of both Puerto Vallarta and of Mexico. She is also known as La Virgen Morena (the brown-skinned virgin). She is believed to be the manifestation of the Virgin Mary in the Americas.
December 12th celebrates the miraculous appearance of the Virgin Guadalupe to the peasant Juan Diego Cuauhtlatoatzin on a hill of Tepeyac near Mexico City in 1531. Puerto Vallarta celebrates this event with daily processions by social, civic and business groups and from adjoining communities to the Church of Guadalupe, in the center of Downtown Vallarta for special masses. Some of the larger of these processions may include parades with floats, dancers, music and fireworks. The final day of the peregrinaciones is a fiesta with fireworks and food vendors in the central plaza.
Visitors are encouraged to watch the processions from the sidewalks or even to join in. The processons usually start around the area of Juarez and October 31st streets.
At midnight on December 11, large numbers of people gather around the Church of Guadalupe to sing the Mananitas to Mary. During the day of December 12, Mariachi bands play and around mid-day the main pilgrimage named de los hijo suentes y previligiados (missing and privileged children) occurs with the largest assemblies of the whole 12 days. Children are dressed in sackcloths and traditional customs made of linen.
At 8pm on December 12 is the last mass of the celebration and the processions keep coming to the Church until almost midnight.

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