Invitation to Enter

work in progress...
Here's my latest work in progress sometimes when I'm working on something and I come to a stopping point, I'll bring it into the house from the studio so I can study it during the day...this work is an attempt to paint more of what I want to paint, something not dictated by an idea of "audience" or "market" but rather for me...about things/feelings/ideas I'm curious about....


I've been reading a book called Acedia and Me by Kathleen Norris. Acedia as defined by the book jacket "is a term understood to be spiritual sloth, but really signifies the serious malady of being unable to care."


In other words....boredom....
Bored with your work and it's lack of progress you begin to seek out other ways to feel fulfilled. The author describes this as it relates to early monks, but also relates how it can affect artists, writers and others whose work is often done in solitude with little or no response from the outside world. 


Something to which I can relate.....


I've always had in me a restlessness, a longing of sorts and I've often looked to spirituality for answers...but I often find myself back at square one, as it were...


But, I truly, truly, believe there are answers and comforts to the things that trouble us....but I also find that when I  research things of this nature online and even in libraries I find time and time again....Law of Attraction.....


Maybe, I'm reading things wrong, but honestly, the whole Law of Attraction thing really bothers me...I feel it can set up gullible and hurting people for more disappointment....one thing, for instance, that I struggle with (like so many others) is financial issues partnered with raising costs of...I don't know...everything.....and I also struggle with wanting so, so, bad to make an income with selling my art/books/creative endeavors and so I research how to do this....and I find (and I'm sure you do to if you follow anybody in the art/blogging world).....they all have something to sell...in the form of e-courses, e-books, and blah blah blah....and can show you how to do it for only $$$$.....and at lot of what is out there (and I admit to having bought some) is Law of Attraction and create your own coaching, e-course, yada yada....and nothing much about selling actual art....


Maybe I'm wrong...maybe I'll eat these words...maybe I'm just not buying the right e-book or trying hard enough...or whatever....


But...


I don't want to do those things....(e-courses, etc.)
I want to make art...
art that reaches people...
that reminds them of simpler and more sacred things....
art that has a life and a sense of history....


And I know that my art isn't there....yet....I've been painting towards an invisible market and audience...trying to paint something accessible to more people so that perhaps it would sell....and it hasn't so I'm not doing it anymore...I'm painting for me and my thoughts, ideas and curiosities....and I can't promise that it will be any good, but I feel a hole and a burning desire for a more authentic...experience....


In this way I'm going to try to beat my restlessness and boredom....and my despair...I'm opening myself up to inner peace which is to say happiness...


Maybe this is the wrong thing to say or do....maybe I'll hurt myself in the long run...but if I can't be myself...who else is going to do it....

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Sidenote: The above painting is called Invitation to Enter...somebody on Facebook asked me why she has her eyes closed if she's meant to be inviting...here's my response...  it's internalization...a spiritual invitation over a worldly one....an opening on her inner self than the external...


Also, since painting something that has meaning to me...I can actually come up with meaningful titles rather than a generic descriptive label...

Rainy Day in the Country

Oh, it's raining. When I work up the day was gray and cool. I hopped outside before the rain arrived to take some photos and let out my beasty demons. Then, back inside.... to work on my "illuminated" books and put some chicken soup in the slow cooker while the rain falls outside.

I've had a lot of thoughts lately. Thoughts on authenticity, fears, trusting the universe, acceptance and all these things jumble around in my head until I don't know which end is up.

Overall, it's been a huge and terrifying year. A year of changes, a year of endings and beginnings. And on top of it all....fears...fears of losing it all, fears of what these changes will bring, how I will change. My pregnancy is reaching it's end and this ending brings new beginnings.

I want to be open and accepting. I want to live fearlessly and confident, sharing the talents and gifts I've been given, offering these gifts for the good of myself, others and my community.

Working on my recent "illuminated" books have offered some respite. The idea of illuminated books, bringing in the light comforts me. Shutting out the world, listening to music, and methodically cutting and removing layers of text to add images and patterns. Creating art, something sacred out of something that would have been discarded, thrown out and forgotten. This process gives me a sense of completion, a sense of accomplishment and that everything will be alright, because someone is watching out for me.....just like I'm watching out for these old books and giving them new life.

So, how do you cope with overwhelming thoughts, feelings and fears? Do you burrow away into your work, write, etc?  And what do you think of my "illuminated" books?

Mixed Media Altered Book

Here's what I found on my desk this morning....well, what I've been working on. I love illuminated manuscripts so this is my version of that. I take a book, saw it down, cut it out and paint it. I'm loving the results! So, much fun, I become completely absorbed in the making. (Much to my husband's chagrin because I never hear the phone when it rings.)

I'm reaching a realization.....of sorts. Maybe it's coming from the changes I'm experiencing and will soon be experiencing with upcoming childbirth....

Well, my realization is more like a letting go....letting go of my old self and making room for the new one to grow....letting go of the assumption that the art I create has to follow a form...I just like to make stuff....letting go of fear and worry and the need to "fit" in....I'm letting myself "go with the flow" and accept things I can't change and accept myself....and I find a sort of peace with this...peace of spirit and mind....and this peace brings a freedom in creation and trust...

Anyways.....the last pic is a new altered book that I'm listing on Etsy.

It's getting chilly here....stay warm.

On my desk this morning...

Here's a look at what greeted me this morning. I try to get in there daily to "work". Today had all kinds of pleasant interruptions, my mom and nephew came over. Other not so nice interruptions include a cough and head cold that's kept me down the past couple of days and a baby who has decided that my belly is an inflatable jumper. It's pretty hard to use a X-acto knife when your belly moves of its own accord. But I've made some progress. I've been really enjoying the altered book/mixed media thing I've been doing lately. The new work is showing up in my shop....POP over if you care to have a look.

Well, tomorrow's Saturday. If all works out, I'll be heading in The Magic City (Birmingham, AL) for their annual ArtWalk. Hope your weekends great!

Mournings and Musings

One part of my life is ending and another is beginning. I'm starting a new life with a new LIFE and a new house and so many other new things that it's all overwhelming at times. I have to let myself mourn a little to that which is ending so that my heart is open to receive the new blessings that will enter. It's hard. I lay awake at night (some due to the pregnancy and some due to the thoughts and dreams and hopes that the future will bring) and try to let things go. At the same time I'm desperate have my books and art supplies unpacked so that I can get to work. I feel pulled in so many ways creative and otherwise.

These images here are the last things I was able to finish before having all of my things packed. I long for my "studio" space at the new house and hope and dream that what I create there will allow me to have a life at home to raise my son. I see so many possibilities and wonder which ones will open doors for me to create this type of life. I'm full (literally and figuratively and creatively and all the other -lys you can think of). I try not to get discouraged when things fall apart but it's said that things fall apart so that others can fall together. I try to keep this in mind.

I suppose in the end things happen as they must and we must learn to let things happen as it will.....

The steampunk altered book is available HERE.

Here's some things keeping me inspired in these days of waiting and longing:

http://yama-bato.tumblr.com/categories

Check out the gorgeous images in the bookbinding catagory.

http://www.createmixedmedia.com/uncategorized/they-say-were-obsessed-like-its-a-bad-thing

This sums me up nicely.

http://pinterest.com/hilaryblackwood/

And I've become addicted to Pinterest.

100 Followers! Giveaway Time!

But first...Have a look at my newest creations: Storybook Pendants! These pendants are created using vintage books. They are cut from book covers, sanded, reinforced with a grommet and sealed. They are also painted if it's a blank. What do you guys think? I'll be listing them over at Etsy soon!

GIVEAWAY ANNOUNCEMENT!

Since I now have 100 blog followers I'll be doing an art giveaway! My plan is to have several options to choose from...so, what would you like to see offered? Once I get your ideas I'll decide what to offer for the giveaway and post the options later this week! So, let me know what you'd like to see and check back later to participate! And feel free to share this info!

This will be my first giveaway and I want it to be a good one! So let folks know! If you've never participated in one, here's how I'll do it....

1. Show the options for the giveway....possibly prints, handmade book or Storybook pendant

2. Ask for comments!--This is how you participate, follow my blog, leave a comment and hope to be chosen!

3. Use a random number/name generator to pick a winner!

4. Let the winner know, get their mailing info and send them their prize!

Sounds like fun! I hope I get many people playing! Yippee!

Mixed Media Book

This is a mixed media book that I made awhile back and never posted on here.

One of my goals this year is to get more of my work out there...submitting to magazines, participating in challenges, etc. This will be my first sharing submission to a magazine for mixed media.

This book was created using realllly thin wood, hinged together with gauze medical tape and then each page was created by either painting, stamping or using collage. Since it kinda bows out, blue yarn holds it shut.

What do you guys think? What are your plans for the upcoming year?

Door...Mixed Media Book

This is an accordion binding structure. I made it from cardboard and painted each scene. Alternating pages have a door cut into it that can be opened to view the inside scene.
Painted with acrylic, stamped, and distressed
Ribbon closure

Also...I've got a lot of new listings in my shop. So, head on over and take a look! This will point the way ---->

Books and Bits

Here's a few new books and a new mixed media painting. I have a feeling most of this will end up on Etsy. The Beasty painting already is....Have a look HERE. He was a inhabitant of one of my many sketchbooks until finding his way onto canvas. Hope you enjoyed the visit!

Etsy Treasury!

Update:

WOW! Two Treasuries! Thanks to Xenotees for including me in the Etsy treasury:

Black Sea Tails

Here's the other Etsy treasury by odelae! Thank You!

Check it out here:

this empress shows no mercy

Blackwood Books Blog

I wanted to let all you folks know that I have now started a blog dedicated completely to books and book-related new. You can visit me blackwoodbooks.blogspot.com. Please be sure to follow me there to keep updated on the newest book updates and my explorations in the book business world!

http://blackwoodbooks.blogspot.com/

New Books!

Book Cover Art!

So, I've been more than absent lately. But not for lack of doing things. I've actually been uber busy. As you know I've opened an Amazon store. My day job has kept me insane. Been working hard getting ready for a holiday show and etc, etc. Basically, life has kept me busy.

But, here's something new! A friend of mine William Thornton book has been published. I was fortunate to have been asked to do the cover art and here it is!

Check out the book here:

www.brilliantdisguises.com

http://brilliantdisguises.blogspot.com/2009/11/and-now-word-from-our-sponsor.html
http://brilliantdisguises.blogspot.com/2009/11/brilliant-disguises-soundtrack.html

And don't forget to check out my Amazon store. I've got vintage children's books, unusual fiction and nonfiction.

Recently sold!..... Hand and rod puppets: A handbook of technique by Hansjurgen Fettig

Altered Book Class and New Paintings

Here's what I've been up to lately...

The first image is my contribution to the library's recycled art program....you knew it'd be a book.

The next three photos are some recent paintings...

And finally the last photo is a picture from my altered book class for the library...I've taught a few classes on bookbinding for them....including instruction on folded page art and Japanese stab-binding...and there's been mention of having me come back and teach some more binding classes...I'll keep you informed.

But these kids were awesome...so creative and needed very little in the way of instruction. It was so much fun working with them.

Well, I'm looking forward to a peaceful, art-filled day and I hope your day is wonderful as well.

Various New Stuff

Here are some various new books and a picture of my table at First Friday before the rain chased us away....I think I set a record in packing books that night.

Also, I've just listed some new stuff on Etsy so if you're thinking about buying....see what I've got selling.

Have a wondrous day!