Pocket Accordion Journal

Pocket Accordion Journal

I had promised way last spring that I would make a pocket accordion journal for a friend who wanted to house ten pieces of art.  I thought of this design immediately but it took until December 31, 2016 to finish it.  I was bound and determined that I would get it done in 2016.  It was not mailed until the new year but at least it has been sent and received.

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Recently I found the image below.  It reminded me of a work that I did some time back called Italian Gothic.  http://artjuvenation.blogspot.com/2013/10/northwest-collage-society-art-show.html





https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vk2GvyNmYD0&ebc=ANyPxKrgGMdAkKvju7oJzcq5J8_Ysp_ZBnpSWfY7cdomYipDOH854N9Og-5kdvmrvc1nDCOZW6LJMqap3nRpWxxogbY5KE80nw

Kantha-like Accordion Journal

cover

journal interior

journal interior open

Here is another brown waxed-paper journal.  This time the journal has been shellac and sprayed with an acrylic water to give it a patina look.  I love the texture that is created between the paint water and the shellac after it dries.  Since I am a fan of Kantha cloth I decided to create this journal in that style.

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'Junk' (2011) Award-winning animation HD



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=17j9FlXvUjI

Matchbox Accordion Journal

Matchbox Accordion Journal (cover front)

Matchbox Accordion Journal (cover back)

Matchbox Accordion Journal (side 1)

Matchbox Accordion Journal (side 2)

It is only l.5 inches tall  and about 20 inches long but it collapses quite well into a matchbox. I like books that are small and can fit into your pocket.  This one fits the bill.

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Van Gogh on dark water.....



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4dKy7HNU4vk

Soda Grandma #2

Soda Grandma #2

Here is the other side of the piece I did on Soda Grandma.  Soda Grandma was an artist.  The paintings that I saw of hers were landscapes and floral.  She was self-taught.  She also played the harmonica.  As she aged her family was concerned about her transportation as she did not drive. They gave her taxi money which she refused to spend on taxis but instead on flowers.  Since she loved to make corsages for seniors, I imagine that is how the flowers she purchased were used. According to her granddaughter, Soda Grandma never criticized anyone. She was someone everyone thought highly of and enjoyed.  If you needed a little TLC because you were upset, Soda Grandma would say, "Let's have peaches and toast!"

In Soda Grandma side 2, I have collaged the Ritz cracker box because of the stale crackers she offered others.  The Campbell's Soup child stamp that I made comes from one of the books that she hand-made for her daughters.  The book was full of magazine illustrations of the time.  I am sure I would have enjoyed Soda Grandma in person as much as I enjoyed listening to stories of her life.

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NW collage artist Robert Stockton sent me this video via Facebook Messenger recently.  It is worth watching through.....very unusual.



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=02ckTZxvHbg

Soda Grandma #1

Soda Grandma #1

Soda Grandma is a two-sided collage which I did as a commission.  I spent about 90 minutes chatting with one of her granddaughters about Soda Grandma who led an interesting life.  She was employed in Bellingham at the Buchan's Bakery.  Her grandchildren loved spending time with her but one thing they did not like is that she offered them soda crackers, frequently Ritz, which were always stale! You can imagine how she got her name.

Soda Grandma loved to crochet and travel.  She had very little money but found ways to go to San Francisco, Europe, and Hawaii.  One story that I particularly enjoyed was that she wanted to give her daughters a present but only had money for essentials.  So SG made two books out of materials that she had around the house.  Those hand-made books still exist and I was lucky enough to see them.

Another story occurred around Christmas.  The grandchildren were very worried about Santa Claus not being able to come down the chimney at Grandma's house as there was no chimney.  SG said, "No Problem!"  She got a refrigerator box and made a chimney.  The girls were now satisfied that Santa would find his way!

Tomorrow, side 2.....

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 What's Wrong with the Commodification of Gay Men: Mark Pampanin at TEDxChapmanU

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G5pvUaMgfC8

Underground Railroad

Underground Railroad (cover)

Underground Railroad (side 1)

Underground Railroad (side 2)

Almost immediately after reading Underground Railroad by Colson Whitehead I began this accordion journal.  I used the brown waxed paper for the substrate.  The paper was covered with shellac and a patina was added giving it a verdigris texture.  The line that I stitched using paper yarn represents the railroad to freedom.

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Award Winning Animation Short Film: The Thomas Beale Cipher

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sKMxtfMSPTM

Brown Waxed Paper - Accordion Journal

Accordion Journal

This past fall I was sent a round robin journal wrapped in a brown waxed paper, paper I had never seen before.  Right away I was fascinated by its heavy amazing slick surface.  I needed to know where one could purchase it and what kind of characteristic it had.  Could it adhere to anything and could it hold a folded shape?  I experimented and found it quite durable.  Matte medium and PVA liked this paper.

My next idea was to use it create an accordion journal.  I painted on the paper and I cut holes in it.  I even sewed stitches in it which you will see very soon.  I have begun a working affair with this paper. So far I have not found any limitations.

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I am a Andy Grammer fan and I love Honey I'm Good!  If  you have not heard it or want to hear it again here you go.....

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r0R8pB1JODs