Well this funny little project, which started out here and here, has gone for a whole six months, not just the summer, and is now completed in a quirky, fun and whimsical way, kind of like the idea itself.
Before I go any further, I have to make a disclaimer. I LOVE this book. I really do - it is so much fun and such a delight for me. Barry has to keep telling me to stop playing with it. Sometimes, I listen.
A quick re-cap - the impact of La Nina's weather pattern on us this year has meant a lot of rain. Almost 2 metres of rain in the first 6 months in fact. So we often found ourselves waking in a white-out; where the mist and cloud are so low and so close we can't see our back fence. I thought I would make a book using paint swatches I matched to each white-out, to capture the unbearable of whiteness of summer. The white-outs continued beyond summer so I kept going for six months.
I had been wondering how to include all the swatches in a book, and saw on one of Lesley's posts how she had used a concertina spine with a kind of origami pocket to hold luggage tags. Inspired, I headed off and found a pattern for the very same fold. Yay. Thank you Lesley, you have provided me with so many hours of entertainment with that fold!
So here it is, with 26 paint swatches - meaning on average we have had one white-out per week so far this year!
I love it in all of it's permutations.
For the covers I used the same fold and the same paper (BFK Rives), but I just dipped them in some weak ink. They turned out grey and a bit motley which I think gave a sense of the mist quite well, and a counterpoint to the shiny swatches.
In the first fold (the title page) I included a piece of paper which listed the colours for each day in case anybody really wanted to know.
It curves, it arches...
And here it is outside in the sun - quite a long book and had to photograph in its entirety.
But my, it makes for great shadows!
Still undecided on whether I should attempt the second half of the year and make a companion piece or not. Tempting...
Before I go any further, I have to make a disclaimer. I LOVE this book. I really do - it is so much fun and such a delight for me. Barry has to keep telling me to stop playing with it. Sometimes, I listen.
A quick re-cap - the impact of La Nina's weather pattern on us this year has meant a lot of rain. Almost 2 metres of rain in the first 6 months in fact. So we often found ourselves waking in a white-out; where the mist and cloud are so low and so close we can't see our back fence. I thought I would make a book using paint swatches I matched to each white-out, to capture the unbearable of whiteness of summer. The white-outs continued beyond summer so I kept going for six months.
I had been wondering how to include all the swatches in a book, and saw on one of Lesley's posts how she had used a concertina spine with a kind of origami pocket to hold luggage tags. Inspired, I headed off and found a pattern for the very same fold. Yay. Thank you Lesley, you have provided me with so many hours of entertainment with that fold!
So here it is, with 26 paint swatches - meaning on average we have had one white-out per week so far this year!
I love it in all of it's permutations.
For the covers I used the same fold and the same paper (BFK Rives), but I just dipped them in some weak ink. They turned out grey and a bit motley which I think gave a sense of the mist quite well, and a counterpoint to the shiny swatches.
In the first fold (the title page) I included a piece of paper which listed the colours for each day in case anybody really wanted to know.
It curves, it arches...
And here it is outside in the sun - quite a long book and had to photograph in its entirety.
But my, it makes for great shadows!
Still undecided on whether I should attempt the second half of the year and make a companion piece or not. Tempting...
I'm fairly bouncing in my seat over here viewing this book. It's fantastic! And yes...definitely continue with the year.
ReplyDeleteSeriously, I'd wondered just how you were going to turn all those paint swatches into a book and you've done it in the most wondrously playful and imaginative way. The shapes! The shadows! Just exquisite!
Enough writing...I'm going back to look again. Happy dance going on in the studio this morning!
Hey J - so glad you like! It is such a fun book! Barry thinks I have taken more than enough photos of this little one; but you are right about the shapes and shadows' they are such a delight! Enjoy the happy dance - I love them!
DeleteGo on.... be tempted....especially to see how the shades lighten and colour up as the weather gets warmer (always assuming it does hopefully!)
ReplyDeleteHi Lesley - I hear the siren call of temptation for sure...and another thank you for the fold! I am hopeful that La Nina has headed off shore and we might get back to normal weather patterns for a while...but I may just be dreaming.
ReplyDeleteThe simplicity and softness is so your style as well as the joyfulness. I love this book too and can see why it would be so much fun to play with and handle. Fun, fun!
ReplyDeleteThank you Jo - simplicity and softness, and a bit of frivol! It is a slightly addictive book to have made - I think the length makes a difference - it demands holding, turning, flipping, pushing...
DeleteFiona, it's beautiful!
ReplyDeleteThanks Jane - I think the muted colours have worked well together.
DeleteF, this book is simply delicious! I'm glad you included the list of color names - I can remember a past post that revealed quite a few of your followers admitted their dream job would be to be paid to name colors! The possibilities to explore and enjoy this book seem limitless. Good work, and yes, I agree, submit to temptation and keep going!
ReplyDeleteHi G/TT - I think adding the colours adds a sense of purpose to the book in a way, but without kind of saying out loud and very directly what its all a bout.
DeleteAn inspired project Fiona. So well constructed, and with a factual reference besides it's ethereal qualities. Very impressive.
ReplyDeleteHi Jo - I'm glad you got to see it in the flesh as well - it moves so amazingly doesn't it? A bit mesmerising for me I must admit. And yes that react that it tells a story is good I think.
DeleteFiona....what a visual delight! It's a lovely timeline that curves and undulates in the same way that time seems to move! And I'm always drawn to the subtleties of white on white on white....endless variation. Your weather has been remarkable...yes, of course continue....the weather will turn itself over to you in more ways than you can imagine! Wonderful piece!
ReplyDeleteWhat a great way of seeing it Patti - the way time moves... The softness and subtly of the colours is a great remind of how much variation there is nature I think. I am tempted to continue...but maybe with a twist!
DeleteI always enjoy perusing your blog and absorbing your creativity. As a novice bookmaker, I'm intrigued and inspired by your books - this one is so enchanting and I can't wait to give something similar a try. I don't comment often, but I read always. Thanks for sharing. (I'm in ALAW though and manage to keep up over there!)
ReplyDelete