Yesterday was a cold day on the mountain, but Susan' studio was warm and we had another special day, developing up the second books in our collaboration. We had decided this time to give the other one some pages, well in advance, and then let them make a book from them, so in a way there was less pressure to work fast yesterday, as we were keeping the pages, not handing them back. Nonetheless we have given ourselves a deadline of the end of the month to have the books completed.
I arrived and Susan had the pages I had given her and a few other bits laid out, and we spoke about what she planned to do. I smiled when she spoke about introducing metallics, and aluminium and other hard shiny bits. I had sat in my studio yesterday and gone 'gold' and had quickly grabbed metallic pencils and pens to make marks on the surface of my papers.
There are times the synchronicity is intriguing...
We spent the day exploring our books - I started out with quite firm ideas this time and followed thru with my plans; but am now left pondering what to do next. I have ideas, but have to find the best way to introduce them to the pages.
I think both of us have been surprised by the bits we have left out and the paths we have ended up taking. I began thinking I would use the ochres and the purples Susan introduced; but then I found myself working much darker than that. My pages here look very different to the bundle that arrived!
I spent most of the day piercing holes, stitching and weaving with threads, but some words and letters did appear...
Not much sign yet here of the gold...but it will come I think.
As Susan mentions, we both discovered that our books are developing along the theme of transition. Mine is telling a story from darkness to light, yet just how that will be fully expressed is still in the melting pot. Once more, a delightful day, sitting across the way from each other in the studio, chatting about this and that and enjoying the oohs and ahhs of excitement as we discovered or tried something. It will be interesting to bring the books back together again and see exactly where we have taken them since we parted...
I arrived and Susan had the pages I had given her and a few other bits laid out, and we spoke about what she planned to do. I smiled when she spoke about introducing metallics, and aluminium and other hard shiny bits. I had sat in my studio yesterday and gone 'gold' and had quickly grabbed metallic pencils and pens to make marks on the surface of my papers.
There are times the synchronicity is intriguing...
We spent the day exploring our books - I started out with quite firm ideas this time and followed thru with my plans; but am now left pondering what to do next. I have ideas, but have to find the best way to introduce them to the pages.
I think both of us have been surprised by the bits we have left out and the paths we have ended up taking. I began thinking I would use the ochres and the purples Susan introduced; but then I found myself working much darker than that. My pages here look very different to the bundle that arrived!
I spent most of the day piercing holes, stitching and weaving with threads, but some words and letters did appear...
Not much sign yet here of the gold...but it will come I think.
As Susan mentions, we both discovered that our books are developing along the theme of transition. Mine is telling a story from darkness to light, yet just how that will be fully expressed is still in the melting pot. Once more, a delightful day, sitting across the way from each other in the studio, chatting about this and that and enjoying the oohs and ahhs of excitement as we discovered or tried something. It will be interesting to bring the books back together again and see exactly where we have taken them since we parted...
Beautiful close ups of the stitches and marks Fiona. I love a touch of metallic in things so can't wait to see where - and how - you might use that gold leaf... and that tantalising glimpse of letters just has me trying to second guess what the full word is going to be. I'm racking my brains so can't wait to be put out of my misery!
ReplyDeleteI loved sitting and stitching Lesley - but I do feel the need for a bit of gold in amongst the dark pages...just how to do it without the 'bling' effect is the challenge!
DeleteLoving this and watching the collaboration between you and Susan. I am intrigued to see how the dark will play out, love that you are piercing [so to speak] the dark.
ReplyDeleteThank you Liz for the thought of piercing the dark...just beautiful. It is quite intriguing for me as well, as Susan has challenged me with the dark pages.
DeleteLove the copper tones of the paper.
ReplyDeleteHello bdg - thanks. The colours are remarkable aren't they? Susan's rusting and inking efforts that she gave me to work with so I can't take any credit!
DeleteCollaborations are a wonderful thing - they give an opportunity to grow in new directions. Love the dark rich tones and look forward to seeing the light they will lead to.
ReplyDeleteSo very true Stregata - this is a real opportunity for me to grow in new directions.The tones are so very rich; not just dark, as you say. Quite scrumptious in a way.
DeleteGorgeous! What a creative & lovely collaboration.
ReplyDeleteHi G - thanks! Yes, I am really enjoying working alongside Susan and creating collaborative pieces together; it's a wonderful journey indeed.
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