Padre Bird

Padre Bird

I taught a workshop yesterday in snail mail art.  There were 15 energetic participants.  Total excitement and high energy making for lots of enjoyment.  I love seeing how others attack the idea presented. Each postcard turned out so different from the others.  Just a grand day!

Recently I sent  snail mail to someone in Canada.  The recipient's husband, who usually does not care much for this type of collage went crazy describing symbolism and the narrative in the art.  I love it! Isn't that what it is all about?.....making up the narrative for what we are looking at.  I know I do.  In fact, even when I people watch I make up stories about the people that catch my eye.  It is just fun!

Fishbone Fold Journal 2

Fishbone Fold (open)

Fishbone (top view)

Fishbone (partially closed)

Fishbone No. 2.......I love the letters that complete the design.  To me, opening the journal is magical. It was sticky for awhile until the paint totally dried.  It opens just fine now.

Fishbone Fold Journal 1

Fishbone Fold Journal

Fishbone Fold Journal (top view)

Fishbone Fold Journal (closed view)

A few weeks ago at the Belltown Bookies meeting I was introduced to the fishbone fold.  OMG!  I loved it so much that I made three journals within that many days.  The first was a mock up to see how it all worked and this one above is the my second attempt with added collage and paint.  I will show you the third one in my next blog entry.  It takes a bit of measuring to get it right but it is well worth the effort.

Two Birds and a Horse

Two Birds and a Horse

Well, I am over-the-top crazy at finding ephemera.  My latest find is a notebook that a waitress used at a restaurant that I frequent.  I asked her what she did with her old notebooks when they were filled (She writes down customer orders in it). She keeps them and has an idea that she will somehow use them to write poetry.  I asked if I bought her a new notebook could I have the one she was presently using as it was nearly filled.  She said, "Yes!"  Since the restaurant is in a bookstore I immediately left the table and bought her one.  I came home with the best little written in notebook!  You can see some of an entry for chicken, green olive and what not in this piece Two Birds and a Horse.

Two Birds, a Dog, and a Baby

Two Birds, a Dog, and a Baby

The photo is of my grandfather holding my father.  The dog is Rags.  I never knew my grandfather as he died when my father was three years old.  Basically my father never knew him either as least had any memory of him.  I have done a bit of research through my father's papers and found out that my grandfather owned a confectionery store in southern California for awhile.  I found a photo of the inside of the store online.  Amazing what is out there in cyberspace!

Recently I had a discussion about using the actual photo versus photocopying what I have and using that.  I have decided to use the originals because what am I going to do with them anyway at the ripe old age of 65?  I think it is a preference whether you copy them or use them.  Do what you like.

Many of T

Many of T

A little bit of checkered deli paper, an old book or two, and some stamps and one is set for creating a postcard for snail mail.  This is about the twelfth one I have made in the last ten days.  Having a blast of a time I might add.  Things might slow down a bit though as I have many deadlines this week and a long list of places to be.  Some weeks are like that.

The Rock

The Rock 

Can't you just image if you personified the blackbirds and they were having a conversation?  Just what would they say?