I tried, I really tried to pay attention at this staff meeting. I would occasionally look up and nod, or appear to take a note on the discussion. Then back to the drawing. I doubt I’m fooling anyone. If it’s really important I’ll read the minutes. No, really.
Crumpled paper, pen and ink, 2 x 4 in.
Recently I’ve been seeking finding opportunities to portray form with contour lines – crumpled paper, draped cloth and such. I was recently admiring the complexity and variety of popcorn and thought I’d sketch a few. I drew these with the aid of a magnifier on a goose-neck desk clamp.
I had the pleasure of attending Daniel Essig’s Denver workshop last month on Coptic bindings, Ethiopian end bands, mica windows and mica pages. Here are many pictures, both of his work and the workshop. He kindly shared many of the techniques he uses for his sculptural books, even some which weren’t covered in the workshop.
Here’s the book I made:
I was especially pleased to learn techniques for creating aged, weathered surfaces using crumpled paper and layers of milk paint which is then brutally distressed and sanded.
Here’s a box using the above technique as well as others I’ve learned along the way. The hinges and fittings are hand-formed from copper and patina’d, the window is a domed watch-glass held in place by riveted copper pieces. The box is lined with green cave paper.
I plan on making a book that will be housed in this box – but not today.
Here’s a box I made for my pencils, pens and art tools. Yes, that’s a side of beef mosaic in rusted metal, riveted with brass nails. Why? Cool shape and patterns. And, yes, I’m still vegetarian! Quite dark when I think about it, finding beauty in an animal carcass.
Several years ago at the 2005 Paper Book Intensive I made a book called Bone Secrets, using simple printing techniques. Since then I’ve reconsidered this idea. Are some secrets so old and fundamental that they’ve become part of my foundation? Perhaps sequestered in my bones?
This idea led met to make a couple of intaglio prints further exploring this idea.
This is a rounded back clam shell box to house a few of my journals. It is a wonderful construction I learned from a Guild of Book Workers video. It is basically a clam shell box, but the spine piece is built out, shaped and covered with leather and bands. Once completed, it stands on it’s bottom edge and looks like a book with spine bands.
I picked up my drawing a few days ago. I was very pleased to see the other illustrations which will be included in the Denver Botanic Garden’s Index Seminum. I was fortunate to come across an actual specimen at the Rocky Mountain Arsenal. Quite a handsome grass, native to the Colorado plains.
Received nice news from Denver Botanic Gardens – my drawing ‘Achnatherum robustum’ will be included in their publication Index Seminum. I started the drawing during the seed and microscopy class. A few weeks and many hours later it was finished. I’ll pick up the drawing today and post a picture soon.
Finished Root Leaf Flower & Seed over the weekend, here’s the pic of the binding. Paste paper made by myself.
Root Leaf Flower & Seed
I stayed home from work today – slept poorly last night and I feel a cold coming on. Today is quite a bit warmer that it has been. It seems like it’s been a long cold dreary February. I found traces of spring but had to look hard for a few of them.
Rudbeckia of some kind
Tulip sp.
Sedum
Sedum ‘Autumn Joy’