Wednesday, June 10, 2009

Girlfriends Traveling Sketchbook.....


My friend Katie came up with a fun idea of getting a group of ten artists together and making a traveling sketchbook. The way it works: after deciding size and binding style we want to use, each artist is to make their own cover and first page of their own book and mail it on to the next person on a list who will then add a page that they've created for the book and mail it on until it eventually passes through the hands of every artist, whereby the book is returned to it's owner with ten glorious pages attached.

At that time, we can add a cover and bind it up, or add more pages. I joined in this project because I liked the idea of venturing out of my comfort zone of thread and fiber and into all the cool supplies on Sabrina's side of the studio - gel mediums, molding paste, tissue paper, rubber stamps, paints, ephemera, etc., etc. I've just finished my first page and am mailing it on to Lynette who will then add a page to my book and mail it on to Karen - and so on, and so on. How cool!

For my substrate, I used a piece of un-stretched artist canvas. To that I applied gel medium and covered the surface of the canvas with torn pieces of vintage sheet music and poetry. I then laid a wash of several colors of Lumiere (metallic paint) over the top, to which I added about 4 staggered layers of organza and a few frayed slivers of lame. After that I stitched a free motion grid all over the top and applied heat from a heat gun to partially melt away the organza. To finish it up I added a sun and moon that I painted on silk dupioni, and printed the words to one of my favorite proverbs (by Buddha) which I stitched down on the surface with gold metallic thread. I love how this came out. I'm going with a theme for my book and it is going to be "Words of Wisdom."

While I was working on my page I also made a few atcs that I owe out. I used some of the neocolor free motioned base I made a few weeks ago and I also used some extra word/music collaged canvas that I had leftover from making my sketchbook page.

I've decided that whenever I try a new technique or want to experiment with a new medium, I am going to make a few atcs. It's nice having them around to trade with other artists, and it seems they are quite popular lately as everyone is asking for them.

I took a break from Sabrina's tote bag so I could get this and a few other things finished. This weekend - it's back to the sewing room to finish that beast up. She better use it!


16 comments:

Katiejane said...

Cathie, this is simply beautiful, like everything you do. Truly special. I would love to trade you for the first Love ATC. (the pinkish one, please.)

Talking Horses Arts said...

Sounds like you are having LOTS of fun there in Cleveland..Girlie!
This all look pretty awesome...just love the colors and layers!
Andrea.

3rdEyeMuse said...

what a brilliant idea! and your page is marvelous! the colors, textures, words ... wonderful ... and the ATC's!!! Wow.

Cris, Artist in Oregon said...

All of these are beautiful. Wow you must have gotten lots of energy from your Boot camp. Keep it up you're creating great things.

Craftymoose Crafts said...

The traveling sketchbook sounds like great fun!

Lynn Cohen said...

Like the first page! Glad you are having fun with this. Thanks for sharing so many details about your process too. Love the ATCs as well.
Can't wait to see this in person.

Vicki W said...

What a great idea!

Mim said...

This is wonderful, can't wait to see it in person!

Jeanne Turner McBrayer said...

Can't wait to see your finished traveling book! It is off to a great start!

~Babs said...

It's an AWESOME page, Cathie!

Lynette said...

Hi Cathie, these look soo gorgeous and I love how you used all those wonderful pieces of fabric and metallic paint and thread! I'm so excited to see your first page of the traveling sketchbook!

ACey said...

Traveling Journals are so much fun! I agree with the comment that made note of the energy you seem to be getting from the boot camp process. Think it's a great idea to keep some ATCs on hand especially for a popular girl such as yourself!

soulbrush said...

this is absolutley fabadabadoo. can't wait to see it for real...and for my atc cards too.

Pursuing Art... said...

What a fun project, Cathie! Your page is gorgeous, as always, and I like the theme you chose! What a thrill it will be to get your book back filled with heart art! I hope you'll share when you do!

Love the ATC's and great idea to make extra while you are working to have on hand too! The do seem popular and on a roll again.

Sending hugs your way...~Lisa ;-)

Lynette said...

Cathie, your page arrived today and all I can say is Wow, it's amazing and gorgeous!!...OK, back to work, I'm hoping to get my page for your book done today and tomorrow...know what poem I'm gonna use too. :)

Karen Salva said...

Again this is gorgeous! It is in house with Lynette's page and can not wait to get at it. I had a delayed start to all mine because of end of year school stuff for my daughter...poor Mim is going to get bombarded with books soon (she is next on my list)

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