Altered Book Collaboration

THANK YOU

2010-07-04T17:09:00.002+10:00

Thank you firstly to Peta for inviting me to participate in this wonderful altered book collaboration, and organising it so well.
Thanks to all the artists for giving so freely of their energies and efforts in working on my book. I received it today and saw for the first time all the marvellous things in it. I cant tell you how exciting it was to see it...to read it..to laugh, to boggle, to be thrilled....it was just such a lovely experience to have it in my hands. I had forgotten I have to do the last double page, as there was one left over! Aghhhh... and I thought I was finished! I was looking at all the pages I had done for everyone, pictured here, and it emphasised for me the lovely journey I have been on, and how you have taken me outside my comfort level on many occasions and allowed me to experience something totally new. Thank you...Its been great.

ABC Exhibition at Wrapt in Rocky

2010-07-02T20:19:00.000+10:00

Above are photos of Keith Lo Bue exploring the delights of Tamara's Faery Tales book.....Nanette's book and Amanda Lowjen looking through Olleys 'Who Am I? I Am Who? book.
There are more photos and a fuller description of the opening below...I keep forgetting that the first photos I upload will be the last!! If you get what I mean!!

ABC exhibition at Wrapt in Rocky

2010-07-02T20:05:00.000+10:00

Above are photos of my book as well as Donna's, Olley's and Helen's books. They looked fantastic, as you can see Tamara and I also displayed some of the boxes they were posted in as these seemed to tell part of their journey and stories.
More photos below!

ABC exhibition at Wrapt in Rocky

2010-07-02T19:56:00.000+10:00

Above are Shelly's, JacQ's, Kristin's and Tamara's books displayed at Wrapt in Rocky.
More photos bleow.

Opening of the ABC at Wrapt in Rockhampton

2010-07-02T19:50:00.000+10:00

Forum participants exploring the books! There were many positive compliments by the admiring crowd!
More photos below!

The Opening of the ABC exhibition

2010-07-02T19:38:00.000+10:00

As promised, here are some photos of the books at Wrapt in Rocky! Our exhibition opened on the first night of the forum. The new library at the Rockhampton Girl's Grammar school was a fitting place for the books to be exhibited. There was a great deal of interest shown in the books themselves as well as how the collaboration worked. It was great to have four collaborators present at the opening, Tamara, Olley, Nanette and myself. We got a real buzz from hearing the ooohs and aaaahs as people donned gloves to look inside the books....there were people looking over each others shoulders to enjoy the artwork and the uniqueness that each book had to offer!
We can all be proud of our participation in the ABC....well done to each of you! And thanks for so willingly sending your very special books off to me after only having had them in your own hands for such a short time!
I'm looking forward to the next one now!
Peta

Luna Playhouse

2010-06-08T21:11:00.002+10:00

I am currently involved in an exhibition with Blarney Book and Art. The idea for the exhibition is that the artist uses the book, either the story, the image and/or the book itself, to create an artwork. A number of these pieces are then exhibited at Blarney Book and Art. This is the second year that Blarney have organised this interesting exhibition, the artworks from last years exhibition can be viewed on their website, they are very creative and intersting! http://www.blarneybooks.com.au

Luna Playhouse

2010-06-08T20:55:00.000+10:00

The box opens up to reveal a backdrop of Luna Park. An upper and lower stage, constructed from foam core and painted, slide into place, the striped inside covering of the box look like stage curtains, the box is of course, something I couldn't throw away as it "may come in useful someday", (it was once packaging for our Nespresso coffee machine, which by the way is the best coffee machine we have ever owned!) The original book "Three Model Theatres" which the artwork is based around, is part of the backdrop and can be removed to reveal the same image of Luna Park behind it. At various intervals inside the book, painted directly over the top of the text and diagrams, are masks from all corners of the world. I really liked the idea of building a 'model theatre', however the instructions in the book were not easy to follow, so I simplified them a little! As masks have been used in theatre throughout the ages by every culture it seemed appropriate to use the image of Luna Park in this work.

Blarney Book and Art is in Port Fairy in Victoria, the exhibition opens this weekend and continues for a couple of months.

Fractured Faerytales

2010-05-29T11:45:00.004+10:00

Tamara's Fractured Faery Tales arrived with one last page left needing attention. This delightful little book already contained cows jumping over the moon, Jack and his beanstalk, Goldilocks, Snow White, a Princess in bed with shoes - not peas! and lots more. BUT no Cinderella! Lucky me...not only did I get to write a very unique wedding invitation for the fold out of this page (which included the promise that the wicked stepmother and ugly step-sisters would be tied up in the dungeon for the duration of the festivities!) but...

I also got to write "and they all lived happily ever after."

Out of my Studio

2010-05-14T21:14:00.000+10:00

I loved combining Kristin's surprise packet of interesting studio ephemera along with bits and pieces from my own studio. My theme was Magical Realism. At first I had no idea what I would do! I dragged out some photos and scraps and some half done works that I scored from a dollar table when I was at the Ballarat Fibre Forum over Easter. I cut away some areas from one of the pieces and slid a photo of two of my daughters swimming in a pool, the 'ships' found their own place and the piece of woven material worked as a ladder. The toadstools are a combination of actual photos and painted paper with my legs as stalks. I used water soluable oil pastels to tie the whole piece together.

Above is one half of JacQ's double page spread, it's title is 'Cuba'. Love the use of colour JacQ!

My 'sign in' page in Kristin's book.

Out of my Sudio

2010-05-12T15:01:00.003+10:00

Beach is my prompt word for 'Out of my studio' and memories of holidays in the sand dunes came flooding in to my head. It was so strong I even wrote a poem. This was an inspired idea Kristin. I loved doing my pages in your beautiful book.

Jens paint box

2010-05-12T14:53:00.003+10:00

Words cannot do justice to the feeling of receiving your own book back. Thank you everyone for contributing your fabulous work. I feel I have got to know a tiny part of you through your work and I just can't stop looking at it. Jen

OPTIMISM

2010-05-08T22:01:00.000+10:00

I've just completed my pages in Nanette's book....it is simply bursting with Optimism! Tamara and I have collaborated together in this collaboration in order to finish our pages. We have had such fun working together in the studio, sharing our ideas for 'Optimism', searching for just the right colours and textures and images and ensuring that our pages work well together. We have enjoyed the process of creating together, bouncing ideas around and encouraging each other.

Peta

Peta's pages from Shelly's book

2010-04-27T20:19:00.000+10:00

I've just posted the completed book of "Real Girls Eat - The Travelling Cookbook" to Shelly in Texas USA! Shelly, I think you will enjoy the wonderful pages contained inside the well designed covers of your book! It was a delight to read the recipes, hints and words of wisdom, especially those about chocolate!
Thanks everyone for your replies to my last email, it certainly seems as if we are well on the way to completing this collaboration before the end of May!
Keep those creative juices flowing!
Peta

Keep a large pot of earth beside the sink.......

2010-04-27T19:55:00.000+10:00

Shelly's Travelling Cookbook is full of wonderful recipes and hints about having a happy life! Including how to save water and clean straw hats! There are recipes for yummy chocolate and fruit cakes as well as Vegemite soup! I enjoyed putting together some handy hints from an old botany book that my great aunts, Gerty and Laura Dawson had recorded recipes such as 'Calfs Foot Jelly', 'Mrs Wallace's Brawn' and cures for all kinds of ailments including one to 'Clean the Tongue when it has Fur on it'!!!

There IS Gold at the End of the Rainbow!!

2010-04-22T20:59:00.001+10:00

There IS Gold at the End of a Rainbow

2010-04-22T20:50:00.002+10:00

Hi Collaborators!!

I hope you are all beginning to see the light at the end of the tunnel....it’s hard to believe that we began the ABC almost 12 months ago....I’ve just looked back on my emails to see that I sent you all a welcome email on the 6th of April 2009........as I said it’s hard to believe that 12 months have marched by!!
I think most of you will be completing your last book or two this month.
Helen has just completed her last books which were Jens “Paintbox Colours” and my “Cabinets of Curiosity”,
I believe that Donna is onto her last book which is Tamara’s “Fractured Faerytales”,
Tracey have you finished your last book??
Shelly has two to go, “Kristen’s “Out of my Studio” and Nanette’s “Optimism”,
Jen has two to finish, Kristen’s “Out of my Studio” and “Cabinets of Curiosity”,
Olley you must be on the downhill run too, with Helen’s “Tutenkhamen’s Tomb” and JacQ’s “While You were Sleeping” to complete?
Lindesay, I think may have 2 or 3 to complete? Helens, JacQ’s and Olley’s books?
Nanette, I know you mentioned to me a couple you are waiting on to complete, but I can’t for the life of me remember which they were??
Kristin, I know you have a couple still to complete, no doubt you have your hands full with your three boys! Congratulations on the birth of Marley!
Tamara is also nearly finished, with “Optimism”, “Cabinets of Curiosity” and “face in the Crowd” to complete,
JacQ I’m pretty sure that you have 2 remaining, “ Donna’s “Anon is a Woman” and Helen’s “Tutenkhamen’s Tomb”
And finally I have two to complete, “Optimism” and “Out of my Studio”
Phew, that’s a lot of books and a lot of really fantastic artists!! All of you have almost worked in each and every book!

My goal is of course that all twelve books will be completed before the end of May, but being realistic this may not be possible.......so what I am proposing is that whatever book we each have, whether it is completed or not, it needs to be received by the originating artist on or before Monday the 24th of May. This will allow each artist at least a few weeks to savour and explore their book before sending it to me to arrive by 21st of June in readiness for the Wrapt in Rocky Exhibition, which begins on the 25th of June.

For the Wrapt in Rocky exhibition, Nanette has asked each of us to write a short paragraph, (say 120 – 150 words), about our experience of the collaboration and a paragraph (probably about the same amount of words, 120 – 150), about the theme of your book (most of you provided this with your book as well as at the beginning of the collaboration via email, which I have saved to my computer if you would like to use the same description. Most of you incorporated a brief introduction to yourselves in your original descriptions, I think including something similar would be ideal. The above can be emailed to me and I will undertake the job of creating them in the same font and putting them onto an A4 sheet backed with foam core, to be displayed next to your book.

So important dates to remember are:

· 24th of May 2010 All books to be back in the hands of the originating artist
· 21st of May 2010 All books to be in my hands ready for the exhibition
I will send your books back within a couple of weeks of the conclusion of Wrapt in Rocky (which means by 19th of July unless a prior arrangement has been made with me.

I have attached a list of collaborators and their addresses just in case you are sending back to a different person than you would normally send to!

I am certainly keen for another collaboration....I have some ideas on the drawing board which I will share with you all in good time. Most of you seem keen to participate in another collaboration! Just wondering what timelines might suit you? Eg approx. starting date, how long to have to work on a book, also whether 12 artists are a good number or perhaps we could work in smaller groups? I welcome any feedback and ideas!!!

Let me know if you are experiencing any problems or stress with the above timelines and we will work something out.

Also would love to hear from each of you as you receive your book back!

Creatively yours,
Peta

no one could possibly be unhappy here...

2010-04-20T10:34:00.001+10:00

Jen Conde's Paint Box - the end

2010-04-13T19:40:00.006+10:00

I think I must be the last person to do this book, and the last two pages were unfilled, so it was appropriate the poem from which we were to choose a piece thereof to work with, had a happily ever after ending that I could place neatly at the end of the book. this was very satisfying. Its a different process I find being the last person to finish a collaborative altered book...as opposed to the first person. The pages that have been completed talk to you as much as the artists requests for what she wants for her book. Its an enriching experience all up, and I wouldn't have missed the process of working on all these books this past year and a bit.
There are some great pages in this book , and I think you will love to see it all Jen. Its interesting to see how people have worked in a blank book. It is delightful how everyone's personality comes through on their pages.

Fairy Tales

2010-04-13T17:37:00.002+10:00

Just got the fractured fairytales book! It's gorgeous!!! Every page a breathtaker! very impressed, and I can really see the quality of the books getting better and more confident each month. Can't wait to see them all together! love donna XXX

Cabinets of Curiosity - Peta's book

2010-04-13T15:37:00.005+10:00

Great book Peta to participate in altering. My folder had a given page on ballet which was lovely...but I had nothing here to work with on that theme, so I worked more with the idea of my own collection. In this case, my old book collection...of Victoriana books. The book I have used is the Girl's Own Annual. It is a huge weighty book, full of current topics...obviously from England. I cannot find a date anywhere. I did find an article called Training Wilhelmina to be a Queen. Wilhemina became Queen of Holland in 1890... the book must have been written sometime after she has become Queen. There are photos of her, and some of her drawings of horses reproduced. There is a lot of articles in this book with advise for girls...like what they are wearing in Paris now; selecting and adjusting a corset; possible styles in fashionable hats; some handsome designs in cross stitch; the woman who buys furs. Interestingly Nellie Melba (1861 - 1931) has written an article in there titled Why so many students fail in the Musical Profession, some practical advice by Madame Melba. So the article I have featured in your book Peta is Why will Women dress in Public? Apparently adjusting your clothing in public is just not done...and a vast article with many accompanying illustrations was published. Part of the article says that you just wouldn't find a woman in Paris doing that. So it was fun to play with all of this.

Peta's book

2010-04-13T09:33:00.002+10:00

Peta...just opened the parcel with your book to start working on it this morning. Even though I have been following the blog, I hadn't really grasped the format of your fabulous book. It is so simple, and so wonderful. I am really looking forward to doing it. I would just love to see it all in its box when it is completed. It underlines for me how photographs of works are a wonderful asset, but they don't tell the full story...holding this work in my hands in my studio this morning was a great experience. Everyone has done such lovely work in their sections. Pressure!!!

Real Girls Eat Mullet

2010-03-26T14:24:00.005+10:00

I think Ms Schauer's is my Mum's only cook book. I was over there for dinner last night and there it was... on the kitchen bench... every page yellowed and falling out of the book, with food stains obliterating the ingredients. Yummy dinner... thanks Mum

Hello from Peta

2010-03-09T21:48:00.000+10:00

Just wanting to let you know that all is well and productive at 'bower Bird Studio'! I'm looking forward to working on Nanettes book 'Optimism' in the next week or two, it's a lovely book full of happiness, positive thinking and optimism!
cheers, Peta

Checking in!!!

2010-03-09T21:35:00.000+10:00

Hello ?? How are things with you all??
Just thought I should check in with everyone to see what you are all up to....things have been very quiet on the blog of late! I’m guessing you are all getting on with the year and probably pretty busy as well!
Thank you for your wonderful and prompt responses to my last email sent out at the end of January....it doesn’t seem possible that was only five weeks ago, does it!?
Round Ten
Most of you are right on track with your books, which is a great feat, so, well done! We are now entering round ten, which means this month’s book is most likely your second last for the collaboration! Which means you will be receiving your own originating book back by the beginning of May! Wow.... this I know is a most exciting event! One that you will want to saviour......... it’s a very beautiful experience to explore the wonderful pages that have been created by your fellow collaborators. You might like to keep this in mind when you are preparing a book to be returned to the originating artist, perhaps taking care with the inner wrappings, (doing something ‘special’), of the book and perhaps also the outer bag or box the book will be contained in for its journey ‘home’. Some of you will not have held your own book in your hands since the beginning of the collaboration in May last year...some of you will have had the opportunity to see your book at some stage during its journey, but will not have seen your competed book!
Wrapt in Rocky display of our Altered Books
I have received affirmative responses from each of you in regard to your book being in the display/exhibition at Wrapt in Rocky. Some concerns were raised in regard to the protection of books from wear and tear from people at the event handling them. This is a realistic concern which Nanette is taking most seriously. So there will be an option for books to be displayed in a glass display cabinet and therefore not handled by anyone other than Nanette or myself. The other option is for books to be displayed on benches or plinths where you have given permission for them to be handled by Wrapt in Rocky attendees who will be asked to wear white cotton gloves while they explore the pages of the books. Please think carefully about what you would prefer and let me know your wishes. Nanette will supply the white gloves and also the return postage at the completion of Wrapt in Rocky. I will be coordinating the collection, display and return of your books, with Nanette overseeing this. As well as sending me your books, (I will let you know the date), I will also need the brief description of your theme and a brief piece about your experience of your participation in the collaboration. These descriptions will be displayed beside your book. Could you please email these to me? also if you could email me the correct spelling of your name and a short bio.
Future Collaborations
A number of you have also indicated a desire to participate in another group collaboration, this is very exciting! I have a couple of ideas for something similar but also a little different from this current collaborations format! I will reveal these in good time! Before I do so, I would be interested to hear from you if you have an idea for something a little different, perhaps in the format, theme, mediums to be used time lines, numbers involved etc for another collaboration. Or perhaps you have a burning desire to do some coordinating?? Whilst I’m very happy to continue in a role such as coordinator I’m equally as happy for someone else to take the reins!!

I do hope you are enjoying the final stages of this collaboration, I know I am! I’m looking forward to seeing some more photos of the books you are currently altering, as well as some explanations of your techniques and/or your thoughts about your creative process.

Cheers for now,
Peta

a face in the crowd

2010-02-14T17:17:00.003+10:00

Here are my 2 pages from Lindesays book "A Face in the Crowd"...10 down ...2 to go! Hard to believe...really enjoying this collaboration! still loving collage with my National Geographic images and back to the old acrylics again...cant really beat them in this climate. Hope everyone is going well, love donna

Optimism

2010-02-11T19:21:00.004+10:00

Everything is possible!

While You Were Sleeping...

2010-02-02T15:53:00.004+10:00

Once again...I had fun! Once I figured out what path to take - all I could think about was how well my husband sleeps, and how frustrated I get with him when I am having those nights where I dream so much rubbish I can't stand it! Our breakfast table is often the scene of re-told dreams...and my family never cease to shake their heads at the crazy rot my subconscious dishes up! (The organ grinders monkey with the little red felt hat and semi automatic machine gun in the lush gardens of a tropical resort is the stuff of family legend!!)

So, this is a nod to my tormented sub conscious...and my soundly sleeping hubby - look at where I've been while you slept the "sleep of the just"!

Real Girls Eat - Shelly Neave's book

2010-02-01T20:44:00.000+10:00

This has been a great book to work in - thanks Shelly. The text within the work explains it all.

It's February!! The beginning of Round Nine!

2010-01-31T21:38:00.002+10:00

Howdy Altered Book Artists!

Long time no speak! I'm wondering how you are now we have hit the end of January.....Have you recovered from the Christmas and New Year festivities? Have you settled back into some sort of normal routine?!
Bruce and I have been back at work for 3 weeks now. It was wonderful to have a few weeks break from our routine!
Tomorrow is the 1st of February which marks the beginning of Round nine of our collaboration, which means we should be sending off the book/s that we have had over the December/January period.....and receiving a new book! - this is something I always find exciting!!

So, I would like to take this opportunity to check which books each of you still have to complete. I have kept some records, however, I have a few gaps.....could you please run your eyes over the list below and let me know if I am correct in my records?

Shelly you still have 3 books to complete: Journeys, Optimism and Out of my Studio?
Kristin you still have 3 to complete: Optimism, Journeys and Anon is a Woman?
Nanette you still have 5 books to complete: A Face in the Crowd (which you have almost completed!), Faerytales, Journeys, Annon is a Woman and TutenKhamen's Tomb?
Donna you still have 4 books to complete: A Face in the Crowd, Faerytales and Journeys and Tutenkahem's Tomb?
Tracey you still have 4 books to complete: While You were Sleeping, Who Am I?, A Face in the Crowd and Faerytales?
Tamara you still have 5 books to complete: Optimism, Cabinets of Curiosity, While You Were Sleeping, Face in the Crowd and Who Am I?
Lindesay you still have 4 books to complete: Paintbox colours, Tutenkhamen's Tomb. While You Were Sleeping and Who Am I? ?
Olley you still have 4 books to complete: cabinets of Curiosity, Paintbox colours, Tutenkhamen's Tomb and While You Were Sleeping?
JacQ you still have 5 books to complete: Anon is a Woman, Out of My Studio, Cabinets of Curiosity, Paintbox Colours and Tutenkhamen's Tomb?
Helen you still have 4 books to complete: Out of My Studio, Real Girls Eat, Cabinets of curiosity and Paintbox colours?
Jenny you still have 3 books to complete: Optimism, Out of My Studio and Real Girls Eat?
and finally I still have 3 books to complete: Optimism, Out of my Studio and Real Girls Eat - correct!!

A REQUEST FROM NANETTE: Nanette as the organiser of the wonderful 'Wrapt in Rocky', has asked us if we would like to have our Altered books displayed during the week long 'Wrapt in Rocky'.??? I think it would be a wonderful opportunity to show off our books to other artists. Please let me know if you are willing to allow your books to be displayed during this forum. The dates of the forum are: 25th of June to 1st of July 2010.

ALSO would anyone be interested in another opportunity for our books to be displayed and also for us to all come together to explore the books, meet each other and enjoy a collaboration celebration???!!!! All this will be possible over the weekend of 23 - 25 September 2010 in Brisbane
this weekend marks the beginning of a week long exhibition, "Uncharted Depths" that Nanette and I (as well as Amanda Lowjen from a previous collaboration) are having at the Circle Gallery........Kristin has expressed an interest in hosting this momentus event......how many people would be interested in this idea at this time of the year????

I have certainly given you all a lot to think about.....I'm looking forward to hearing back from everyone!!

Happy and creative days!!

Peta

Journeys... to the Podacarp Forests of Hollyford River

2010-01-29T19:43:00.003+10:00

Having just returned from a walk in the Hollyford Valley when I received 'Journeys', it was an obvious choice for this book with all the wonderful memories still fresh in my mind. Doing my 'pages' let me relive this fabulous experience that was like a step back to ancient times. South Island NZ 10/09

Optimism - Helen's pages

2010-01-22T16:41:00.001+10:00

This has been a fun page to do...Optimism! I figured that the bottom line in life is the optimism we have for the people in our lives. Its pretty black and white...we want for them, what they would want for themselves. We want them to be happy, and for good luck to go their way. This is the first book in this collaborative process that I have worked on with blank pages.

Who Am I?

2010-01-14T15:18:00.002+10:00

These are my pages in Olga's book - which is becoming a most fascinating collection of visual biographies! There's some paint, stamps, collage, writing, drawing, silk paper, a glass bubble, stickers, even some little doors that open to reveal just a little more! Once again - I had lots of fun. I say that every time - and it's true, but what's also true is that before I get to the having fun bit, I can be paralysed with fear and lack of inspiration!! That part's not fun! But, thanks to the beautiful encouragement of my fellow collaborators, I am growing more confident as the books keep coming! Thank you all...

Journeys - Tracey's Book

2010-01-01T21:44:00.000+10:00

My pages in Tracey's gorgeous book is an altered 'Kid's Trail' activity fold out that I picked up at the Qld Art Gallery whilst on a recent trip to Brisbane. The pages are titled 'Bloodline Only', as the trip was with my two sisters, brother and mum. I have altered some of the original images by overlaying with photocopy tape transfers after using coloured gesso and white pen to journal with. I also printed some of the photos I took whilst on this trip onto transparency film and have overlaid these onto other images in the fold out. Maps and pieces of ephemera I picked up whilst in Brisbane have also found themselves a home in this fold out.

One of the highlights of the trip, (which involved visiting art galleries and the State Library), was the viewing of a number of Artists' Books. One of the books we viewed was Helen's 'Around Brisbane' Artists' Book, a very gorgeous and interactive book, made up of pages from a Brisbane Road Map book with transfers of photographs that Helen took through the window of a car whilst driving around Brisbane!

The Journeys book was the first piece of art created by me in my new studio! The first artists to use the studio were my grandchildren!
Peta

Bower Bird Studio

2009-12-29T21:02:00.000+10:00

What a lovely couple of weeks it's been!! We've worked hard (Bruce and I with some welcome help from friends, Tamara and Amanda), we've shifted boxes, plan drawers, drafting tables, suitcases etc etc.... I've spent hours of enjoyment sorting and storing lots of interesting bits and pieces, (and sometimes re discovering long lost fantastical 'things', like my crocodile teeth, puppet heads, marbles, seed pods, old bits of upholstery fabric and a couple of 'Brownie camera's), then many more hours deciding where to store these collections of oddments.......then we've enjoyed a lovely family Christmas break of a few days at home.......also it's been raining!!!! lovely!!!!!

Now finally I'm 'moved in' to the new studio.....the first artists to work in Bower Bird Studio were two young nieces and our two Grandchildren......with lots of chatter, laughter, cutting and gluing, they all created some beautiful 'postcard shrines'..........I also enjoyed a couple of hours there on my own yesterday!!

I plan to work on Tracey's "Journeys" book tomorrow! Tracey the book you have created is very beautiful! I am excited about the prospect of creating my pages within this special book.

I trust you have all enjoyed a peaceful and fun
Christmas with those who are close to you!
Peta

Real Girls Eat

2009-12-21T12:05:00.000+10:00

I'm on a roll! Here's a partial photo of my spread in Shelley's Book. This was a departure from the usual for me and I thoroughly enjoyed creating it.

Tamara

Title Page

2009-12-21T11:59:00.000+10:00

Found a photo of Shelley's Book sign in page.

Cheers Tamara

Title page

2009-12-21T11:56:00.000+10:00

Some More Title Pages!!

2009-12-21T11:39:00.000+10:00

Jen's - Paintbox Colours

Peta's - Cabinets of Curiosity - Closed front

Cabinets of Curiosity - inside

Cabinets of Curiosity - back

Determined

2009-12-21T11:29:00.000+10:00

Hello All!
I think I have finally been successful posting a photo! Yeh to me...! This is part of my spread in Jen's Paintbox Colours. Just before posting I flipped through all the other marvously pages and giggled when I realised I'd been inspired by Shelley's page. Strange is the subconscious!!

Cheers Tamara

Sign In pages

2009-12-21T11:24:00.000+10:00

Olley's - Who Am I? - I Am Who?

Peta's - Home Is Where the HeART Is from altered book collaboration 2008

Helen's - Bris-Khamen Tomb

Jen's - Paintbox Colours

helens request got me moving

2009-12-20T13:52:00.002+10:00

here is my pages for 'while you were sleeping" actually did itself as some are apt to... i am happy with the kooky result. love donna

Request to post title pages on the blog

2009-12-20T09:14:00.000+10:00

Can I request if you have one of the altered books at your place at the moment, that you post some of the pics of the title page where the artists have signed in please. I am involved in another project where we are inviting a group to alter a book...and I think that our books have some cool title pages...
thanks

Drawing Breath opening

2009-12-17T09:39:00.004+10:00

Had a fantastic night last Friday at Tweed River Art Gallery for the opening of the Drawing Breath exhibition which was conceived about 2 years ago! it is a collaboration involving 2 Brisbane artists (Jude Roberts and I)and 2 Northern Rivers artists Gabriela Soelkner and Michael Baartz. Was so good to see the work up on the walls. the work showed was about a 1/10th of the work we actually produced! We got lots of wonderful feedback and all in all it was a fabulous night all round!!

Finding and sorting ..........

2009-12-16T22:05:00.000+10:00

Yesterday another artist friend, Amanda, helped Bruce and I to move the studio furniture into the new space, it was wonderful to have the extra pair of hands and muscles!! Thanks so much Amanda :-)
Today I've been sorting and storing, sorting and storing and also doing some culling, (not too much of this though!!) Tomorrow I'll keep sorting and storing and perhaps be able to get out the labelling machine, oh how I love that little machine......
The bench which runs the full length of the East wall is almost ready for sealing, Bruce has done a beautiful job on it!

I'll post up some more photos in a few days time!!

Moving In!!!!!

2009-12-14T21:49:00.000+10:00

I'm on holidays and I'm moving on into my studio!! It's a very exciting time, as well as somewhat exhausting! I am calling my studio, "Bower Bird Studio", those of you who know me fairly well, will, I think agree that it is an apt name!
While I move in the large amounts of boxes, suitcases and crates, Bruce, my fantastic resident carpenter and husband, continues to fit cupboards, build benchtops and shelves, install sinks etc All this in temperatures in the mid 30's with the usual humidity that Central Queensland is famous for! Fortunately the studio is reasonably cool as we have insulated it all around and there is usually a cool sea breeze blowing through the louvre windows.

We are working to a deadline to have everything moved out of the former studio, which is really our two bedroom guest cottage, before this Thursday, this is when our daughter, Brooke and our two grandchildren arrive to spend a few weeks with us over the Christmas break! There's nothing like a deadline to keep one moving along!

What is everyone else doing?? Is anyone travelling over the Christmas break?
Don't forget that you are expected to have only one book for December and January, I'm pretty sure that you will all enjoy a small break from the collaboration, this will give you some extra time to attend all thoses social functions with family, friends and work mates! We stard round nine at the beginning of February! This means that you should be starting on your ninth book, tenth if you count your own!

Enjoy your Christmas, may it be happy, merry, creative and full of good times! Keep safe whether you are travelling or not! And may 2010 be all you wish it to be.

Peta
xxx

Where will it all go??!!! Stay tuned for more photos.

Helen's "Bris-Khamen" Book

2009-12-06T14:59:00.004+10:00

This was fun! I really enjoyed coming up with another part of the 'story' for Helen's book...I find the books more and more interesting, as each one has more work in it as they come to us!

I used some black Xpandaprint paint around the borders here - it's a bit like puff paint, but matte, and once I had heated it to puff it up, I rubbed it with gilding wax to pick up the highlights in the texture. I really wouldn't have imagined that my collection of old "Cowboys & Indians" magazines would have been helpful for this book...but there were wonderful photos of turquoise beads and jewelry...just perfect for the Kings ear-rings!! Sorry about the shiny patches in the photos...nothing I did helped tone them down!

Who Am I? I Am Who? is waiting for my attention next - it is a very cool book with the most interesting self portraits...awesome!

Nanette's Page - While You Were Sleeping

2009-11-27T22:02:00.000+10:00

Nanette hasn't quite figured out how to upload photos to our blog......so with her permission I have done this for her! This vibrant page is in JacQ's book, 'While You Were Sleeping', I'm not sure of the story behind this gorgeous page....the colours are amazing! Peta

sign in

2009-11-27T09:22:00.003+10:00

heres my sign in for who am i , i am who. i love the sign in pages! i dont think i have put one on mine...but if we do this again, definitely want to...they are like little icings on the cake!
Also, please remember to sign your pages. they so deserve your signature. i feel bereft when i see a page unsigned! But hey, that might just be me. Having fun, all the best, love donna

who am i am who?

2009-11-24T13:01:00.003+10:00

This is my page in Olga's wonderful yet thought provoking book "who am I, I am who?

i created it after seeing Glenn Skeins excellent exhibition at Cleveland on the weekend.

i rusted the paper at Petas with Jen's help a couple of months ago.

My page is a 'response' to previous work in the book esp Jen's.

Now its off to the studio to ponder whats been happening whilst i've been sleeping. Love Donna

Anon is a Woman

2009-11-22T17:09:00.000+10:00

What an enjoyable postcard this was to alter! As it happened Donna phoned me to have a chat at the very moment I was working on it! And Donna was talking about her love of maps, what an amazing coincidence!! I had already chosen a quote by William Shakespeare which made reference to a map! Hope you like it Donna.

I couldn't resist adding on the 'gate doors'...The map is a colour transparency from a map of Spain, which is where Donna and her partner travelled to earlier this year, (and where Donna collected the postcards from). I was lucky to find a stamp that was also from Spain and used my own rubber stamps to 'cancel' it.

Journeys by Tracey Hewitt

2009-11-19T16:37:00.004+10:00

This is my page for Tracey Hewitt's book Journeys. I forgot to photograph my page before I worked on it...so I took a quick pic of the next page. The book is full of interesting burned edged map pages. I have pretty much obliterated my map with gesso, but you can see a trace of it, almost like an aerial view of the landscape. Over this I have painted cloud like shapes...and then worked over it with collaged figures, found feathers which I have stitched onto the pages...apologies to the page before and after, both luckily unworked so they can incorporate the small stitches of linen thread. I was working with surreal inexplicable dreams that take you on mystifying journeys when I created this page.

Paintbox Colours

2009-11-15T14:39:00.002+10:00

The lovely story of Hugh and Rosie and the Paintbox Colours...

What's been keeping me busy...

2009-11-14T08:01:00.004+10:00

Bush Christmas opens next Friday...I've been spending every spare waking moment

creating 'stuff'...

Here it is, piled, bundled and ready to pack...PHEW! The weekend will be devoted to "Paintbox Colours" (A special thanks to Tamara for her understanding and schedule allowing me to be late getting it to her - x).

I love seeing everyones work here, and also enjoy the 'added extras'...Alleys, forests, oceans...it's all grist for the mill - thank you all for sharing!

Rockhampton Alleyway Festival

2009-11-13T20:59:00.000+10:00

Recently in Rockhampton we had an Alleyway Festival, it was held on a Saturday afternoon in an alleyway behind a lovely pub.
There was a cardboard city which we were encouraged to graffiti with markers and chalk.
There was also an exhibition of artworks which numerous local artists
had completed. The artworks were inside and outside a small cardboard box which had been posted to us
Above are a few photos of the box completed by me.
As it was for the Alleyway festival, I used a number of found objects from Rocky's
alleyways! The artwork is also a recognition of the work done by the Sisters of Mercy Rockhampton.
I'm sure the Sisters would have walked the streets and alleyways in order to provide
assistance to those in need.

From Peta's desk

2009-11-05T20:24:00.003+10:00

I thought I would send an email to find out how things are going in the Altered Book world!! This date seemed an appropriate one to write to you all, as it was on this day in 1922 that Tutenkhamen's grave was discovered!! So as Helen's book "Tutenkhamen's Bris-khamen Tomb" does the rounds we each find more out about
Tutenkhamen as well as each other! I was thrilled to see Helen's book again recently when Donna brought it with her on her visit to Rocky....it's spilling out of it's pages with all sorts of interesting 'artyfacts'...a very clever and entertaining book!

Also of course we have entered another month in our Altered Book Collaboration calendar.....Round Seven has begun!! Where are you all up to? On the whole I believe everyone is fairly well 'on track'....however I'll still ask the question I always ask: "which book do you currently have?" and "are there any issues or difficulties arising for anyone?"
I really do enjoy and appreciate the feedback that these two questions create!

News
From time to time I glean snippits of news from some of you so thought I would share these with all of you:
Olley congratulations on your recent successes at the Brigalow art Exhibition, your consistency, effort and creativity have reaped you some well deserved and affirming acknowledgment of your skills and abilities!
Donna I wish you and your fellow collaborators all the best for your exhibition 'Drawing Breath' which opens on the 11th of December at the Tweed River Art Gallery.
Nanette Congratulations on the wonderful brochure and 'almost up' web site for the 2010 fibre and textiles forum 'Wrapt in Rocky' This event will be another credit to you! Your organisational and negotiating skills are first class. I am already planning my year around this event!
Jen you have a 'significant' birthday coming up on November 13th...live it up at your party! I'll be toasting you from Toad Hall!!
Shelly is off to another adventure in South America very soon, may all the means of transport you use and the sea, sky and roads you travel upon be safe and filled with fun and new experiences!
What other news have I missed?? It would be lovely to hear any of the special, significant and interesting news that I'm sure you all have!

Before I send this off into the land of email I'd like to thank you for the contributions that keep popping up on the blog. To me, having the blog has brought the collaboration alive! I am enjoying the comments and explainations that accompany the photos of your pages I feel as if I know you all a little bit more as the collaboration progresses.

Take care one and all,
Peta

2009-11-04T19:57:00.002+10:00

Walking through the podocarp forests of Fiordland National Park, south west in the south island of New Zealand in October. It was awesome, very cold, moist, mossy and green.

Anon is a woman burning

2009-10-28T17:57:00.002+10:00

When Peta emailed us all during the Rocky fires, I was very moved by her description of their situation and thus inspired to quote her. 'Anon' in this case is our heroine Peta communicating her plight to each of us collaborators. Here's to a good soaking rain to the Rocky Fireys!

Who am I? Shellys page

2009-10-28T16:33:00.002+10:00

The Princess and the Pea!! by Peta

2009-10-25T20:58:00.000+10:00

As Tamara has a lovely collection of long skirts as well as shoes, I couldn't resist putting some shoes into this traditional fairytale about a Princess and a pea! In the traditional story the Princess wakes up in the morning after sleeping on a huge pile of mattresses and informs her hosts, the Prince's parents, that she could feel a pea under her many mattresses and this somehow proves she is a 'real' Princess! However in this re-telling she doesn't notice that she has slept on a pile of mattresses with not only a pea but with shoes pushed between them!!

The cover of Tamara's beautiful little book is simply beautiful!

Is that Little Red Riding Hood coming out of an outhouse?? Tamara's spread in her own book Fractured Faery Tales.

Lindesay's page in Fractured Faery Tales is a very clever take on Jack and the Beanstalk!

Five Collaborators Enjoy a Rocky Workshop

2009-10-12T21:36:00.000+10:00

Jenny timming the exposure of her test plate,
There was no way we could distract her!! It's
a very serious and exact printing method.

Peta and Tamara share a minute
together.

Almost half the collaboration joined with eight other artists from Central Queensland to experience solar etching with Wendy McGrath at a Flying Arts workshop in the Walter Reid Centre in Rockhampton over the weekend. Jen and Donna came up from Brisbane to have a 'studio day' with Peta on the Friday. We worked in a frenzy of creation, making gelatine prints, rusting paper and learning the tape transfer technique. Then worked with Tamara and Nanette on Saturday and Sunday creating solar etchings!! What a fantastic weekend!!

NZ trip - Helen

2009-10-12T08:30:00.007+10:00

Anon is a Woman

2009-10-11T19:17:00.006+10:00

This is a pretty neat book to do...especially as I am a bit interested in the Thyssen collection, and the postcards come from that collection. I went to a talk about the collection many years ago, and have always read things about it when they have cropped up. I have taken my woman and partially wrapped her in fresh vegetables...related in a way to the mischevious quote from Anon on the back.

Collections for Peta

2009-10-06T11:56:00.004+10:00

Being a somewhat compulsive 'gatherer'..it was difficult to decide which particular collections I might refer to for Peta's book...In the end, the Quotes and the Photos won out...'Words and Pictures'! The pics above and below are the 'inside' of the book...

The back of the book:

And the front:

I keep telling myself there are no 'rules' here...but I can't help this nagging feeling I've 'cheated'...this was too easy and too much fun! Lots (50, I think) of tiny photos from my extensive collection...with quotes from the many I've gathered over the years written in and around. Much of what, and who I love show up here somewhere!

Hope you like it Peta!

As we approach round six

2009-10-05T20:12:00.002+10:00

Hi Collaborators!
It's hard to believe that October is already upon us....one minute it's September, then it's 'sneaktober'!
As we enter into round six of the collaboration, which is the half way mark, I'm just wondering how each and every one of you are going?? At this time of the year life tends to get quite hectic, it's the last term of the school year, we seem to have more social engagements and our thoughts and energies often begin to gear up for end of the year holidays, travel, preparing for visitors, christmas celebrations etc. Don't forget that we have a month 'off' the books in January, this in effect gives us all two months to complete our December books.
Please let me know how you are all going.

I've noticed that the blog has been very quiet for a while, (I certainly haven't put much up in the last few weeks!), perhaps some of you have photos that you haven't yet posted, or maybe you want to simply pose a question or make a comment about the collaboration. Or perhaps share some news with us all....some of you have travelled, so perhaps a fav photo of somewhere you visited! I have a couple of pics to post in the next few days, so keep a watchful eye on the blog!!
We'll I'd best be getting myself prepared for a good nights sleep, looking forward to hearing from you all.
love,
Peta xo
PS thanks to Jen for posting up some of her holiday photos, the scenery is stunning! As you will also see below I have posted some photos of Lindesay's book.

A Face in the Crowd - Peta's page

2009-10-05T20:11:00.000+10:00

"I'm swimming in a mud pool with crocodiles and rats. A million giant jelly-babies wearing funny hats...." When I read these lines in Lindesay's book they reminded me of my own dreams - this was the page that sparked my imagination. Lindesay had already made a visual reference to a well known John Brack painting, my imagination immediately put crocodile and rats heads onto more human like bodies, just 'faces in a crowd!' This was a fun book to work in, I admire Lindesay's clever writing skills.
Below are photos of Jen and JacQ's contributions.

A Face in the Crowd - Jen's page

2009-10-05T19:56:00.000+10:00

A Face in the Crowd - JacQ's page

2009-10-05T19:53:00.000+10:00

Ahoy Alaska

2009-10-05T08:50:00.005+10:00

Hubby and I and 4 friends had a fabulous trip up the inside passage in Alaska recently and one of the highlights for me was swimming in Glacier Bay... as you do among the icebergs!

The Tooth Fairy Tale

2009-09-18T10:35:00.003+10:00

I searched for an idea that included a fairy and a tale so when I found this gorgeous poem by Elizabeth Lindberg about how the tooth fairy tale originated I couldn't resist it. Enjoy, Jen

moving along

2009-09-10T08:53:00.002+10:00

Hi everyone, donna here. just wanted to say how much i am enjoying this collaboration. I have just received Jen's book...and so excited! as i am with each new book that miraculously ends up at my doorstep! i love receiving it, going through it, thinking about what will appear on 'my' page, making it happen as well as i can, looking at it completed and the final sendoff of choosing the stamps (with the post lady!) for it to continue its journey. They feel like living things, having their own life experiences and being lovingly nurtured by each of us in turn. Awww..
anyway, enough of that. happy creating, love donna

Travelling Cookbook

2009-09-03T13:58:00.003+10:00

After taking a long time getting into this (What am I going to say about food?...I love it, I hate how much of it I have to cook, I get bored with the same stuff - not an adventurous soul in my family besides me, But I love eating!!!) I finally tore enough images out of my accumulation of magazines to find a path...There's the food I know I should eat and cook for the crew...then there's what I (and the rest of them) enjoy to eat!

I added my Grandmothers chocolate fudge recipe...and neglected to make a mention anywhere that it's the boys favourite treat, and it's consumption on State of Origin nights is tradition in our house!! And the "I'm Home, I'm hungry!" headline...is something I have actually heard on more than one occasion!

Fractured Fairy Tales

2009-09-02T17:38:00.003+10:00

I found this a challenging book to work on, and had to think for a long time about what to do with these fractured fairy tales. So while the actual work took little time, I did spend a lot of time thinking around the subject. In the end it was fun... playing with the words and using simple thumb prints. These books are certainly making us all think and do things a bit outside our comfort level....which is great.

mmm...every picture tells a story

2009-09-02T10:53:00.005+10:00

Well...Peta asked me to post so here it is... i let this unfold naturally, i had no idea where i was going, just let it present itself to me. in the waiting i realise i collect stories and images. stories evolve into images and images evolve into stories. i love serendipitus synchronicity too! i have been working with gifted National Geographics, from the 70's - mid 80's, for a year now and am still lost in their stories and images, hence the cover images. I am also very in to Joseph Campbell's myth work. Hope you enjoy it...

A Face in the Crowd - Helen's page

2009-08-24T13:37:00.001+10:00

I enjoyed working on Lindesay's book...A face in the crowd. Such a good idea for an altered book. It was fun to have a blank page to work on! I was away, so I decided to use only a drawing pen...and it was such fun to only draw. I worked from some of the images in my drawn travel journals.

Who am I?

2009-08-22T15:37:00.000+10:00

I'm one of these people that just has to be contrary. Olgas book 'Who am I?' set me the delightful challenge of giving bits of me away without exposing myself. Am I deliberately avoiding the question? Well, thats just who I AM. Jen

Who has Paintbox Colours?

2009-08-21T16:23:00.001+10:00

I need to send on my pages, please can i have the address of whoever has it at present! Thanks, Shelly

My contributions to "Out Of My Studio" and "Optimism"

2009-08-13T10:10:00.000+10:00

Hi Everyone! It's great to be home again - we had a great time in North America...took way too many photos (can you really ever take too many???) ate too much, saw so many incredible things that I think I'm still suffering visual overload!

The morning we left, I put the finishing touches to Kristen and Nanette's books, quickly scanned them, packed them up and threw our suitcase in the car! Now that I'm home and looking at the scans I wish I'd taken a little longer and photographed them a little more carefully...but these are the images I have, and they're better than nothing!

The theme for Kristin's page was "Music". There was some blue card, some painted watercolour paper, half a book cover, and a piece of silk paper (if I remember correctly...it was weeks and weeks ago now!) in my little parcel. Julie Andrews just begged to be torn off the cover of the old Sound of Music book that's been sitting on my shelf for ages. Lots of hearts...I love music! and a CD of music off my i pod...my boys inspected it and pointed out "there's a lot of Country on there, Mum..." I hope that doesn't make Kristin's ears clap together behind her head!! (In my own defence...it's not the twangy my-baby-left-me-and-the-train-ran-over-my-dog kind of country...it's good!)

Nanette's "Optimism" finally gave me a place to use a background I'd done months ago, which just didn't work the way I wanted at the time...It was the perfect base for my optimistic ponderings!

Had lots of fun with both of these, and hope both Kristen and Nanette enjoy them, too!

Change is in the Air

2009-08-07T21:19:00.000+10:00

Hi everyone.....I've changed the blog layout! What do you think? - Peta

Kristens book - Helen's entry August 09

2009-08-07T13:45:00.000+10:00

Kristen's book asks us to select a page with a lucky dip, which gives us some things from her studio to incorporate onto our pages, and we get a theme. My materials were the patterned interiors of business envellopes...and my theme was pattern. So I cut up the papers, and other patterned papers from my studio, and constructed an image based on these patterns. Then I worked over the surface with acrylic transparent paint, and gold paint, and red boot polish.

Round Four!!!

2009-08-04T20:32:00.000+10:00

Welcome to August! and round four........It's time to send your books off again......I know that it probably seems like only yesterday that you were doing this, saying goodbye to your round two book and welcoming your round three book......
I'ts been a busy month for everyone! and for some, (our travellers), there have been many new sights, tastes, smells, sounds and things to touch........the ABC welcomes you back to the fold and awaits to see how your new experiences are played out in your creativity in general and within this collaboration!
How are you all coping with the pace of one book per month? Has anyone experienced 'artists block'? And how have you 'unblocked'? Has anyone branched out from their usual technique or medium, comfort zone? And if so what did you try and was the result what you wanted? Has anyone experienced any 'happy accidents'? I invite any of you to share your thoughts and answers to the above questions...........or any other thoughts, insights etc !!!!

2009-08-03T10:49:00.000+10:00

Hi All, this is my DPS (double page spread) in Shelleys book. i found a wonderful betty crocker cookie book from the 60's in my local oppie. the illustration on the right is 2 weaved pages, suitable retro. oh for the days when sugar equalled love! love donna

Between the Lines No. 1 - Frozen Moments

2009-07-31T21:10:00.000+10:00

Hi Collaborators, this is the artists book that I sent into the Artisan Bookshops exhibition....the materials used are, wallpaper - fused togther with: photocopied, tea stained and gelatine printed letters, I then used my sewing machine to stitch through the fused circles. I used the photocopy transfer technique using oil of wintergreen, as described in an earlier blog. The pages are contained in a glass Petri dish.

How are you all travelling along? Speaking of travelling, I believe that both Jen and Tracey will be back in Oz soon! I hope they will each share something of their travels within Canada and the USA with us....we are a well travelled lot as Kristin is also heading off to NYC next week, enjoy your experience Kristin! Also Shelly will be travelling from the UK to Oz later this month, I am looking forward to catching up with Shelly sometime in November and hearing all about her adventures travelling through WA, Darwin, Mackay then finally to Rocky.

I hope this post finds you all in good health and ready for your next book! Recently I had the luck of viewing four of our books, all very impressive!!! such creativity and wonderful techniques.....I'm looking forward to seeing some more photos up here on the blog of each of the books as you complete your double page spreads!

Stay well, happy and creative!
love, Peta

You are Invited!!

2009-07-28T21:14:00.000+10:00

This exhibition of artists books is held in a gorgeous bookshop in Fitzroy, Melbourne. My sister, JacQ, who lives in nearby Collingwood, told me of this bookshop and their yearly exhibition of artists books. As you all know this is an area of interest for me, so I entered a book for this years exhibition and it has been accepted! If you are not able to see the exhbition in the flesh, I believe you will be able to view it online shortly.

Peta

Nowhere Woman

2009-07-27T15:37:00.000+10:00

Hello to my fellow collaborators,

I feel like a ship without a port at present.

2009-07-17T19:36:00.000+10:00

A close up section of 'Who Am I?'

Detail of a little concertina pocket fold out book.

The pocket foldout book extended.

Style Eyes

2009-07-17T19:10:00.000+10:00

A close up of a section of my page for Olley's book, 'Who Am I?' Note the glasses....and 'my' eyes....hence the title.......for those of you who don't know me well, I have a very large collection of seeing eye glasses, they cover the 1970's to the present day!
Peta

City Girl in a Red Hat!

2009-07-17T19:03:00.000+10:00

This is JacQ's stunning page in Olley's book, 'Who Am I?' The page just zings with vibrant colours reminding me of a large city all lit up at night. Then I noticed the bottom right hand side, it was the last place I looked, a lovely green and peaceful corner.....ahhh!!!

Isn't Life Grand !

2009-07-17T18:36:00.000+10:00

Thank you Donna for the title to this post! I have just now received an email from Donna with the line 'Isn't Life Grand'....today I've spent all day in my studio after about 3 weeks of visitors and not really having the time to set aside, roll up my sleeves, don my apron and get stuck into some creative stuff.... this is my 'Isn't Life Grand'....what makes your life grand I wonder?

Thus, I have completed my page in Olley's fantastic book, 'Who Am I?'....it was a very pleasurable book to work in, being hand bound with some amazing and inspiring additions already installed inside....it felt very indulgent to be talking about myself, my inspirations and my loves! Enjoy the photos!

I hope our overseas travellers are enjoying their travel experience. I'm very much looking forward to their return, maybe they will post some photos and stories from their adventures onto this blog.

All the best to each and every one of you, may July be a most creative month!!

love, Peta

While You Were Sleeping

2009-07-12T20:57:00.000+10:00

A peek at a section of Peta's double page spread.

While You Were Sleeping

2009-07-12T20:50:00.000+10:00

The cover of JacQ's Book!

While You Were Sleeping

2009-07-12T18:59:00.001+10:00

I've just completed my pages in JacQ's book, 'While You Were Sleeping'. I was somewhat influenced by the two previous artists, Helen for her stars and Jen with her flying boat......I have added a fold out page to the righthand side of my double page spread. This page shows a slightly darker side to my piece, with some whimsy as well......however that's where the dark part ends, open this fold out and you will see some light hearted antics, such as may occur in a dream, or the antics could be a part of the circus act that is occuring whilst a little person, (kept from the original book illustration), is sound asleep in their stroller in the midst of all the excitement!

I have also posted some photos from JacQ's cover and her double page spread, (with her permission of course!)

take care,
Peta

While you were sleeping

2009-07-02T12:26:00.000+10:00

After watching the podcast of falling rain, I remembered a dream I once had of flying in my boat through the night sky. It was a confident and uplifting dream and I really enjoyed reliving it on my pages in JaQ Ware's book -While you were sleeping.

Helen finishes page in Olley's book

2009-06-29T11:02:00.000+10:00

When ever I write about my work, I say I am a story teller..so in this piece, I have used the colours of the Granite Belt where I grew up, and told a story about me and my cousin growing up on the family farm there. My portrait is embedded behind the roughly stamped text.
Helen

Olley's finished Tamara's book.

2009-06-27T18:13:00.000+10:00

On the inside I did a newspaper like article on The Three Little Pigs & swine flu.

This is the front section of my page.

This is the front cover of Tamara's little book "Fractured Faerytales".

Hi Ladies & Gentleman, Well it's taken me 2 weeks to post Tamara's finished page. I received it in the first week of June & finished it that day as it is the size of "not very big"! Tamara's theme is Fractured Faerytales - yes it's spelt that way on the front cover. Anyway I have used swine flu & the Three Little Pigs as my fractured faerytale. Hope you like, Happy Creating, Olga.

kristens book

2009-06-25T20:05:00.000+10:00

i really enjoyed doing these book pages originating from Kristen. each double page spread in the book had a envelope of lucky dip bits and pieces taken from Kristen's studio that could be used in the collage. the funny thing was, i was a bit stuck with my art practise before i did this but feel that by doing these pages, (which i did instinctually and without analysis) i unblocked and gained inspiration. I sent it on today. love donna

Valley of the Kings

2009-06-22T20:00:00.000+10:00

Another photo of Tutenkhamen's Tomb

2009-06-22T19:51:00.000+10:00

I'm having so much fun putting up pics I thought I would put up another! I've just posted Helen's book to Shelly today, it will be winging it's way over to England over the next few days....my Tutenkhamen is getting around!

Peta

Valley of the Kings - A sneak peek

2009-06-21T15:39:00.000+10:00

Hi everyone! I'm giving Tamara a lesson on how to post on the blog! It's a bit like the blind leading the blind.....I think I've totally confused her!!!
I've just finished putting the final touches to Helen's book....I've really enjoyed the challenge of working in a pop up book and creating a new story using my local area as a basis........I've now begun a fascination for all things Egyption....thanks Helen!

How are you all going? It's almost time to send off your book, I guess you have about a week......don't forget to put up a picture on this blog so we can all drool!

Hi Everybody,

I've been a stranger only popping onto the blog once to have a sticky beak and running away scared when I couldn't figure out how to post a comment (I think I have more confidence to explore the blog now that I've seen it's possible). I just about finished mulling over the beautiful postcards that make up Donna's book of sayings and getting ready to commit myself to paper. I have a quote all picked out and an idea is forming of how it will all come together. Sometimes I think I work best under pressure like on one of the gameshows where the buzzer is ticking down to ready ring. Tracey your book of journey's was a personal challenge but one that unfolded before me in ways I hadn't thought. When I get a chance I'll give a bit of a blurb about what all the elements means. JacQ I hope all is going well with my little book of fractured faerytales. It's almost like Christmas each month you open a new gift and eagerly await the time you can open your own!!!

Cheers Tamara

2009-06-21T15:34:00.000+10:00