Project 11 for - Personal Geographies: Explorations in Mixed Media Mapmaking

This is one of the projects that I have done from Jill K. Berry's book - Personal Geographies: Explorations in Mixed Media Mapmaking. I am fortunate to also be a contributing artist for Jill's book. (I won't be posting my art that is included in her book on my blog). The project from her book is called The Right Place at the Right Time. While mapping out our pets, my family and I enjoyed reminiscing about all of the animals that have lived at our place. Creating this map provided a nice trip down memory lane!

I decided to map out the pets that we have had since living in our present house. It was always a dream of mine to live on a hobby farm. The gold colored shed is the first shed that we had. We actually moved it from our previous house which is less than 1 mile away. This shed housed 1 chicken, 2 cats and six goats. With our expanding herd of goats we built the gray pole shed. The increase in shed size led to an even greater increase in goat herd size! The most pets we have had at one time including house pets was 25. This was when my kids were younger and lived at home so was the "right time" to have many pets. Three of the goats were rehomed but I found that I didn't have the heart to break up anymore goat families after that. All of the rest of the pets have lived out their lives here. I think that it is important that if you buy a pet or are responsible for bringing them into the world that you should look out for their welfare until they pass on. This month our last goat passed on. I am sad!

My hobby farm is currently composed of one of the original cats and the original chicken. They are both 16 years old. I'm not sure what my dream is now! The current plan is we are done with outside animals for now. We also have 4 boston terriers who are house dogs. They don't even like to venture outside in the Winter!

Next I want to map the pets I had as a child and the houses we lived in prior to this one.

Thanksgiving Art Journal Entry

My journal entry after getting together with family for Thanksgiving. I drew a robin rather than a turkey. I must be thinking about Spring...

Art Journal Page - Andy Warhol Quote

I found this Andy Warhol Quote:

Don’t think about making art…just get it done…let everybody else say whether its good or not…and while they’re deciding…keep making more art.

I found this quote to be so relevant to my creative journey that I have placed it at the top of my side bar.

My first idea was to find a picture from the Shaker book that I have, illustrating someone making art. These two ladies fit the bill. In serendipitous journaling behavior I found Andy Warhol’s famous Campbell Soup Can art in the American Craft magazine that I have been collaging from. This art was the inspiration for my tomato red color. I don’t use the color red very often so this was leading me out of my comfort zone. I like the combination of red coral and turquois in jewelry and decided to play with these colors together on my journal page. While flipping through the magazine later, looking for more inspiration, I found the tiny Campbell Soup Can image. An "M" with a brush caught my eye because of the color. After tearing the "M" out of the magazine I found it upside down on my table and seen a “W”, for Warhol. I admire the craftmanship of the Shakers but decided to “shake” things up a bit and add some bright colors and quirky designs to their clothes and décor.

November Sketchbook Challenge – Imaginary Animals

 

I combined this month’s theme “Imaginary Animals” with an entry into my FRagMENteD Journal.  This painting was inspired by Lynn Whipple’s Ninnies. She takes vintage cabinet photos and paints imaginary creatures over them. You can see her work HERE.

I am as a boston terrier. Look at my square face and jowls! They say owners resemble their pets, no wonder I like boston terriers! I tried to take a picture of myself to mimic the serious poses on vintage cabinet photos. Upon reflecting here: I look like I am waiting for something to eat; Someone to feed me; Perhaps my master to come home. Funny, not my intention. I had to include one of my RAEvNs. While we don’t have any ravens where I live, seeing crows gets the dogs quite excited.

Boston terriers have been bred to not have long tails, I guess I needed one to feel balanced!

IT’S HERE! Personal Geographies: Explorations in Mixed Media Mapmaking

 

I couldn’t wait, so I ordered a copy of Personal Geographies – Explorations in Mixed Media Mapmaking by Jill K. Berry from Amazon. I was priviledged to be invited as a contributing artist. Upon seeing the book I can say that I am honored to be included among such a diverse and talented group of artists whose work appears in the book. I truly enjoyed making the projects included in the book, in fact I made most of them. Jill did a fabulous job of putting together this inspirational book. I am still processing all of the wonders of this book and will be posting more comments about it and projects from it in the future.

Here is a link to Jill’s blog and a her book blog Personal Geographies.

You can order your own copy of Personal Geographies – Explorations in Mixed Media Mapmaking HERE!

Pictured above is part of my promotional team, Ziggy and Spanky.

Sketchbook Challenge

I am happy to announce that I have a "special guest profile" featured on the Sketchbook Challenge Blog today. You can find the article HERE!

Art Journals

 

My art journals that I have gathered together so far. Why am I compelled to record my thoughts, ideas and artistic journey?

FRagMENteD Journal page

 

A continuation of artistic exploration and discovery.

FRagMENteD Journal Entry

Another entry to my FRagMENteD Journal. It is hard for me to believe that this painting started with a photocopy of myself. My intent was to paint loosely, with simple designs and bright colors. I gave myself permission to not maintain an exact likeness of myself. This was quite freeing.

It did not turn out like the artists’ whose work I admire. It still looks like my art. My art holds no mystery to me. Time away from the piece does help - to look at it with fresh eyes. Can you see me underneath all of the paint?

Assemblage Art Journals in my Etsy Shop!

 

ALBERT EINSTEIN

This one of a kind assemblage journal has been made with oak veneer plywood book boards. To the book boards is bolted a brass plate that a life size portrait of Albert Einstein has been hand-drawn and then etched upon. A photograph of Albert Einstein's actual eyes has been place under a vintage pair of glasses similar to the ones Einstein would have worn. In the cutout is featured Einstein's quote
"Logic will get you from A to B. Imagination will take you everywhere". Albert Einstein 1879 - 1955.
The 8" x 10" book is bound with waxed linen thread in the coptic style enabling the book to lie open flat when in use. Six signatures of 140lb watercolor paper with a total of 72 pages enables you to use most wet or dry mediums.

For Sale in my Etsy shop.

 

TUNING INTO CREATIVITY

This one of a kind assemblage journal has been made with oak veneer plywood book boards. To the book boards is bolted a brass plate that has been hand-drawn and then etched upon. Bolted on to the cover is a vintage radio dial that actually turns, so you can "Tune into Creativity"!
Enclosed is a side view of the book to illustrate how much the handle projects from the surface.
disclaimer: I personally find the inspiration of this journal to more than compensate any hindrance the knob causes. There is a hairline crack to the right side of the logo on top of the dial which isn't noticeable unless you are looking for it.
The 6 1/4" x 8 1/4" book is bound with waxed linen thread in the coptic style enabling the book to lie open flat when in use. Six signatures of 140lb watercolor paper with a total of 96 pages enables you to use most wet or dry mediums. Pages vary in width, some are 6" wide and some are 4" wide.
Use as a journal, sketchbook, or guest book. Display on your coffee table for guests to doodle or write in. Would make an exceptional gift for yourself or someone special.

For sale in my Etsy shop.

 

DISCOVERING CREATIVITY

This original art assemblage journal has been made with oak veneer plywood book boards. To the book boards is bolted brass and copper plates that has been hand-drawn, stamped and then etched upon. Bolted onto the brass plate is a vintage door escutcheon plate with a vintage engraving of an eye encased in resin.
The 5 1/2" x 8 1/2" book is bound with waxed linen thread in the coptic style enabling the book to lie open flat when in use. Ten signatures of 140lb watercolor paper with a total of 120 pages enables you to use a variety of wet or dry mediums.
Use as a journal, sketchbook, or guest book. Display on your coffee table for guests to doodle or write in. Would make an exceptional gift for yourself or someone special.

For sale in my Etsy Shop.

 

THE STANDARD

This one of a kind assemblage journal has been made with oak veneer plywood book boards. To the book boards is bolted a vintage brass plate. "The STANDARD Not genuine without this signature Nathanial Baldwin Salt Lake City, Utah".
The 5 1/2" x 5" book is bound with waxed linen thread in the coptic style enabling the book to lie open flat when in use. Four signatures of 140lb watercolor paper with a total of 64 pages enables you to use most wet or dry mediums. Pages vary in width, some are 6" wide and some are 4" wide.
Use as a journal, sketchbook, or guest book. Display on your coffee table for guests to doodle or write in. Would make an exceptional gift for yourself or someone special.

For sale in my Etsy shop.

Girl and Owl

 

Girl and Owl painting shown hanging above my desk. Painting available for sale in my Etsy shop.

New Paintings

In between journaling this past week I have been painting again. I can't begin to tell you how good it feels to be productive again. These are original paintings on a vintage wood patterns by the Gilson Bros. Factory in Fredonia, Wisconsin. The original tin pressed number from each pattern is also included. Click on each picture to see a close-up. The wood has a nice worn patina and adds to the vintage industrial feel to these art pieces. Visit my etsy shop to see these paintings and more.

GIRL AND OWL

15” X 27”

BARN OWL

20” X 24”