1911 Hans Andersen Book

I found this 1911 Hans Andersen's Fairy Tales book at a second hand book stall at the local arts festival today.  How much did it cost?  Just a donation!!!  So I bought a few books and some old maps and gave them $10 and ran away quickly with a big smile on my face.

Not only is it old but it has illustrations in it!!!  Today is Day 2 of One Story Down photo a day challenge: 30 days of gratitude edition November 2013 - This inspiration is this book with all these beautiful illustrations and ideas for using in collages and mixed media.

And an inscription!




You may remember that last year whilst in NYC I went to the Strand Bookstore and found another old illustrated children's book.....read about the 1890's book here - well, I have laser copied some of the pages but have not used the image transfer technique I learnt at Squam.  I have made the book and the Ampersand Gessoboards which I ordered from dickblick.com in the States as something precious and therefore I am unable to use them as I'm afraid I will ruin them....argh....we need to use our precious art things and with no regrets....

So the question is what to do with this book?

Reflections on 2012

Wow, 2012 is over and it's nearly time to think about my goals and plans and word for 2013.

Looking back over some blogposts I wrote in early January 2012 about my plans/dreams/schemes for this year I can see that sometimes we just don't have enough time to do all the things we'd like to do.

The highlight of the year was my American Adventure and my art classes at Squam with Kelly Barton and Sarah Ahearn.  I had an awesome time meeting up with some online arty friends too.

I was part of the 30x30x30 Challenge Exhibition and completed 30 paintings in 30 days and sold 21.

I also joined my friend June Stevens for an exhibition and sold two paintings.

I loved the Life Book 2012 online course and my girls have improved....

I learnt so much from going to a local art class each Wednesday with mixed media artist Neil Elliott.

An article I wrote was published!

My word for 2012 was Courage and these are the goals I achieved from the list I wrote in January:

• To be the real and authentic me
• To take risks with my creations/art/paintings
• To live my dreams, follow my passions and create an artistic life
• To be part of as many exhibitions as possible.
• To reach out to others, include them in my life and artistic community.
• To say 'Yes' to opportunities
• To get my writing and artwork published.
• To leave the secure environment of my home.
• To travel to USA, Canada.
• To travel alone and with friends.
• To attend a workshop in the States and to make it the most awesome life and learning experience possible.
• To meet people whom I've never met but whom I know and hold a special place in my heart.

How did your 2012 go?  Have you chosen your word for 2013?  We are doing a blog hop and I'd love for everyone to join in.

Song In Her Heart

Here is my latest girly painting....

Stand still and listen to the song in your heart...

Acrylic and ink on watercolour paper,  56cm x 76cm or 22" x 30".

I have yet to put the heart shaped song/music on her heart....

 

The painting is inspired by the dress I bought to wear in America, which I love and this photo taken on Grand Haven Pier on Lake Michigan by Carol Kovach Bray.

 

The words were taken from one of my portal paintings....

Box of Goodies and New Supplies

Just before I left the States I filled up up a box of goodies to mail back as I knew that I would be over the limit with luggage. I was so excited this afternoon when my box arrived.  Here's a few of the things inside it:

Whilst in Michigan Lin took me to Hobby Lobby and Craft 2000 - giant stores full of art and craft supplies. On the weekend I received an email from my favorite art store that it was closing down and it was tiny compared to the American stores - so you see why I was so excited to go to these stores and why I just had to have to have some art treasures that you just can't get in Perth.  Such as Smash Journals - I found out about these at Squam and bought a few products that go with these journals but not the actual journal - seriously, what was I thinking? I should have bought the journal too...sigh...If you are an Aussie you are probably wondering what are Smash Journals - art journals have blank pages and Smash journals have backgrounds already made for you, as well as a pen that is a glue stick at one end for you to glue bits into your journal such as a movie ticket.  Or you could 'smash' something into your journal with washi tape.

I also bought some stamps which I had been looking for in Perth - music sheet and fancy writing. And I was given some stamps and ink from my Squam roommate Finch.  I can't wait to use my new supplies in my art journals and sketchbooks and in my artwork too.

Here's my new stash of washi tape that I picked up on my travels....pretty sticky tape!!!

Whilst in Michigan we went into an antique mall and I thought that I wouldn't buy anything in the store but I found these 'Instant Relatives' - photographs and postcards of people which I loved and an old map for 30 cents!!!  Love!!!  I can't wait to use the photo transfer technique that I learnt in Sarah Ahearn's class at Squam to create some art work with these special pictures.

Postcards cards were other items that I was drawn to whilst on my travels.  Thin and light weight except when you pick up too many of them at ArtPrize (see first photo) and add it to the few you have already bought....

I bought these cards at the Squam Fair from fellow Fly Tribe member - Laura Warecki of Paper Taxi...

And these cards were a gift from Carol Kovach Bray when we met up in Grand Rapids to walk around ArtPrize together....

I also bought this card by Anahata of Papaya...I am not a wild child but sometimes wish I was...

I loved this brown paper bag I received whilst out shopping - how gorgeous is this and so awesome for collaging with...

And here's my bag from Squam...

Have you bought any new supplies recently???  Let me know as I like to keep up to date with the latest supplies....

1890's Book

Whilst in New York City I visited the Strand Bookstore.  The top floor is where the rare, old books are kept and this is where I made this great discovery - an 1890's french children's illustrated book - Little Ray of Sunshine.

What am I going to do with this book?  Surely not collage with the original pages???

No.  At Squam in Sarah Ahearn's class I learnt a photo transfer technique which means the original book will be preserved. I would love to create a series of mixed media collages to have an exhibition with these beautiful images.

 

 

Are you wondering how much this book cost?  Well, I'll tell you but don't tell my husband, men just don't seem to understand - $30, I googled the book and to get a copy from France you can add another $100 to that price!!  I love it and it's one of the reason I wanted to go to NYC - loved the Strand Bookstore too.

Michelle's Memories of Michigan

I had an awesome time in Michigan last week with my DeviantArt friend Lin aka paintonmyclothes...we went sightseeing, to ArtPrize, out to lunch and shopping, to county fairs and fall festivals....

Me having fun in Michigan...

Friends...Lin and Colette and Ron and Carol...

Beautiful scenery...

Hidden Gardens...

Great Food - huge portions to take home in a doggy bag....I would just like to state that I did not eat all this food, some servings are other people's food....

Some crazy shops - this is Cabelas - it's a hunting and fishing outfitters store with heaps of stuffed animals and an aquarium....and weird things to buy...

I loved these dogs at Grand Haven, a small town on Lake Michigan, I wish we could do something like this in my area...

Here's some lighthouse pics from Grand Haven and the dragonfly card I bought which I love...

Well, I hope you enjoyed these pics I put together for you, I shall organise some more from ArtPrize later in the week...

Grand Rapids ArtPrize 2012 Part 1

I'm here in Grand Rapids, Michigan, USA at ArtPrize 2012 - ArtPrize has become the world’s largest art competition by combining $560,000 in total prizes with an open call for artists, venues, and critics and there are 162 venues which will host 1517 artist entries. It's a huge event that lasts for 18 days with large sculptures and fine art....

Here are some of what we saw today...

My feet are so sore from all the walking but I hope to show you more photos tomorrow after I've looked at more art!!