A number of pictures of the book's creation will be listed as we go. Here's the first. There's stuff all over the table - important stuff like the pages; the covers; the ribbons; the paraphernalia (actually, that's just the collective term for the "important stuff"). Anyway, careful observers will notice the nearly empty jar of shellac, which has covered layer upon layer upon layer (told you it was about food!) of the front & back covers. I could well have kept going layer upon, etc, cause I reckon there's fifty billion layers there, maybe more. I lost count. What's not in the pic is the most recent book-closing mechanism (collection of ribbon); those in shot were actually used to line the concertinaed pages.

Have new ideas now for aforementioned foody book. We begin in the garden. And the images are of the food as it exists in its first generation - seedlings. All gently watched over by the dinosaur (and Fluff - lurking). Broccoli, silver beet, snow peas, cauliflower (out of shot), curry plant, carrots, lettuce (also out of shot), and the remnants of the corn (good name for a movie no? Remnants of The Corn! Or was it Children?), from the spring planting.
The corn was surprisingly educational. Not one cob achieved edibility status; they all tried their hardest and gave the impression they were doin' their developing thang, but come harvest tahm (all of a sudden I have a southern american accent), nuthin but a darn'd empty cob on the inside! I'm told its due solely to not enough water. Well. Of Course! At least it wasn't cause I lost the ancestral farming gene.

Not sure whether to begin The Book with this image or not, but it is my favourite foody art piece. Its a selection from a larger painting (unfinished circa 2006) and deserves particular and interesting adjustment.

So, here's the stuff for the book. Been out all over town today trying to find things that will bring my Artist Book (as I see it this minute) into existence. Gradually, the "as I see it" bit changes, peculiarly as I fail to find the right stuff.

I found the paper for my mounts. Gorgeous colours & patterns. Found the supports for the pages. Found new support when the previous ones proved unfeasible for page turning. New support turns out to be a charming vinyl record book, with sleeves designed for easy selection and guardianship of its contents. Mind goes back to how to adapt previously unfeasible supports in order to make it work, as I realise I can't bring myself to damage any records or spoil the book's original and intended purpose. Its not that I have an interest in vinyl records, prior to those of the 50's & 60's (& these records are all classical anyway); nor is it that such a thing is in any way special to me (I wouldn't have purchased it had I not intended to "render it unrecognisable") but its just too amiable & defenseless to harm.

Evening classes

Our assignment involves the creation of an Artist Book. Becoming familiar with a variety of digital techniques feels like it is going to take me forever (glad its fun). I'm thinking food. The smiley lemon is food suggestive but maybe its just cause I'm hungry. Paintings, sketches, prints, images of food hanging already on my walls at home, are crying out for manipulation - been sitting there doing nothing .....and entering my head now is that the Artist Book Pages are going to have to smell! Delicious, of course.......mmmmm.... aromas on aromas on aromas.

I'm thinking too of incorporating my vegetable garden, which is fairly new (only spring & summer old), yet produced a watermelon the size of a small basketball. Or a pretty large baseball. Or a gigantic golf ball. Or a massively HUGE marble..... ok ok. But taste! Superb. Photos to come as I ensured before & after (the cutting of) shots.

Some More

Its back to class & all new computers. (I WANT one of these new keboards btw!) I've put up the banner now and am keen on putting more & more stuff on here; Stuff I Like (as well as Stuff I Do).


I've added the image of the Man In Black above. It was the basis for the profile stencil painting of JC I did last year on a panel. The photo was one of a series from the American Recordings phase - Johnny's last - and is attributed to Martyn Atkins.