I know there's been some controversy about the quality of the moleskein journals which were sent out for this project: the binding is simplistic; the paper inside the journal is lightweight and too flimsy for wet media; and worst of all, the pages are perforated, thereby nearly assuring that they will wish to exit the book at some point in the lifetime of the journal.
I took these properties as challenges, rather than viewing them as "problems", feeling that my task as an artist was not only to create my own interpretation of my chosen theme, but also to make sure the book is archival. This is, after all, a public library that's funding this amazing project, and libraries aren't generally known for possessing extravagant budgets.
With that in mind, I've been reinforcing the binding and covering the perforations by adhering a strip of fabric or paper directly over them, right down the middle of the spine between each 2-page spread. It gives me an excellent opportunity to bring together artistically both sides of the spread, which has always been one of my goals, anyway.
I've been using only original images- in the form of sketching, stamping and screening- to create each page seperately and then I collage them into the book.
The collages contain both fabric and paper, as well as random materials like dryer sheets and deli paper.
Because of the bulk created by making collages- sometimes on heavy substrates like watercolor paper, cardboard or quilt remnants- and then adhering them directly to the pages of the journal, I've had to sacrifice a few of the forty pages offered to us by gluing some of them together. I really hate to waste any of the paper, but this method has the benefit of adding strength (and hopefully, longevity) to the pages.
I have a few more 2-page spreads to finish, but for the rest of this week, my journal is going away so I can work on a few other things. Happy creating!
16 comments:
It's looking great Judi! Great idea on reinforcing those perforated pages.
I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE these pages.
Well, this is just the impetuous I need to keep moving ahead with my new play space. I am very sure that you really are having fun and the results are simply smashing. It is so great to turn liabilities into wonderful assets! 8^)
Judi, I really think that your take on the sketchbook project is going to be very much different from most of the sketchbooks submitted. You will be providing the viewers not only something beautiful to look at, but also something more tactile to hold than the average sketchbook. Really well done Judi!
I'm interested in your approach to it, especially as I'm doing the same theme. I've approached the problem by gluing some pages together and by preparing some pages with transparent gesso; and generally just having a 'distressed' look to my sketchbook - and some pages are definitely VERY distressed! But that's my style altogether...
Hi Judi,
I'm loving your Sketchbook Project work, it's gorgeous!
Thanks for visiting http://makenart.blogspot.com and telling us why you love the project!
Thank you for sharing your Sketchbook. What a great idea to add a strip of fabric or paper over the perforation. There will be several of us with pages that are collages or small quilts instead of drawings. Yours are wonderful!
How very cool!!!
These collages are just awesome, Judi!
We are absolutely enthusiastic about this piece of art, my modern art loving husband and I!
It never ceases to amaze how much one can do with such a simple theme. I found your work inspiring. Look forward to seeing more. Cheers
Joan
I LOVE, LOVE LOVE your pages. I decided to just take my sketchbook apart and rebind it with papers and cloth that I wanted to work with. I think I'll take photo copies of my pages before I send the journal back. Isn't this fun? :)Bea
lovely, lovely, and very inspiring!!
Judi, fabulous and certainly unique. I'm so glad I follow your blog.
This is incredible! Love it.
Hi, I just came across your blog while searching for other artists who are also working with the "lines & grids" theme for the sketchbook project. Thank you for sharing your journal! It was really inspiring to read about your process. I just got my sketchbook, and I think I'm going to go ahead and re-bind the book with heavier paper, but I really enjoyed seeing how you worked with what you had.
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