ALTERED BOOK PAGE

using findings, an old book cover, fabric, rubber stamping and beading

Art Journal Pages

Art Journal Pages
Originally uploaded by peregrine blue

My continuings of an 80+ page spiral journal I have committed to finishing before CONVENZIONE, if possible. It has taken alot out of me. Each page requires hours of manipulation, but the results can be so rewarding. Just the color coordination and the choice of images and where they should go on the page are feats in themselves. The journalling, harder than all the previous since I tend to go blank once the visuals are ready. I just don't want to copy poems and quotes only, I really want to spill muy guts.

"Off to the County Fair" Mixed Media Work in Progress

"Off to the County Fair" Mixed Media Work in Progress
Originally uploaded by peregrine blue

And so it goes all these creations popping out of my hands and head. Picking up a lot of new skills and materials and reading those instructions as well as watching all those U-Tube tutorials has really helped to put those techniques into practice.

I have been trading rather than selling lately since I notice sales have suffered on etsy. Must be that dark cloud hanging over US, literally.

Living in Wonderland

Red, White and Blue Button Bag
Originally uploaded by peregrine blue

I've totally regressed to childhood in the past few weeks. Even my sleeping patterns have changed. I have yet to suck my thumb. I look in the mirror and, in spite of a few wrinkles and discoloration of skin, liver spots on my legs and grey hair, I see a child. Maybe it's wishful thinking, maybe I want to be pampered, maybe I just want to curl up into the fetal position and just return to my mother's womb where it was warm and Daddy played Dvorak's New World Symphony for me on the record player. All I know is that it baffles me. Even my art is becoming more and more naive. I pick and choose where and when to go out and it's usually to surround myself with the innocent of heart. I just refuse to see any darkness around me.

And believe me it's getting pretty dark. No belief in the politicians or religious leaders anymore. An egotistical, hedonistic youth draining us, taking it all and giving very little back. No new frontiers. A world gone mayhem, with no clear priorities, each to his own. Yes, it all means shielding ourselves and be part of the survivival of the fittest. So I choose Protectionism, my own.

That is why I keep re-inventing my English Cottage in the style of Tasha Tudor and Beatrix Potter even though it be in my imagination. What could be better than a paradisiacal garden, a pot of tea on the cast iron stove to welcome friends and neighbors, the hand-knit quilt strewn over the bed for a welcoming nap, a fireplace at dusk, scones and apple pie on Sunday? I can think of no other happiness like it.

People may judge, laugh, giggle at me but I have made that choice to remain the Nerd in Wonderland.

Around me Now

Around me Now
Originally uploaded by peregrine blue

Hard as step two was which was the actual artwork inspired by the Renga we put together, I was happy to be pushed to challenge myself. The writing of the last line of the poem came rather easily to me since I was lucky to bring the four previous lines together. But creating the artwork was a totally different matter since it implied creating something that reflected the entire mood of the Renga. Impossible for me. So i picked the words apart, phrase by phrase and picked around me now. Since we are being called into a dance, I thought these the most powerful words to portray all the things we see around us, have around us that we may miss if we DON't join in the dance. I hope others see it that way too since I think the Renga turned out beautifully.

Now for challenge two which I think is totally appropriate now that we have written two Rengas......a journal to be created for writing them in with one of our favorite poems on the cover. I have two in mind...ofcourse Neruda's definition of poetry, but I also ran into a children's book called Every Moon Has a Face and I fell in love with the poetry. That will be it,

Oh friendships and kinships, how lucky I am to have met my ZNERS.