Because I need more paper ....

I made a trip out to Dick Blick in Dearborn yesterday to pick up a few supplies and saw this paper. I keep saying that I will not buy any more supplies ... mainly paper (aside from products I use all the time, have run out of and need more of). But, it's so hard to do. I think you'll agree that I had to buy this paper. Besides ... how much room does 2 sheets of paper take up?

"The Exquisite Corpse" - participants

In my last blog post, I forgot to mention all the participants that were involved in this collaborative. The image to the left enlarges so that all the names can be read more easily. Emails, blogs and websites are also listed.

"The Exquisite Corpse" - The collaborative

Just published in the September/October issue of Somerset Studios! This is a collaborative that was done involving 10 very talented people last year. Everyone has kept it under wraps awaiting possible publication. This has to have been the most exciting, most difficult and yet most satisfying collaborative I have ever been

involved in. I think all that participapted will agree. Somerset Studios was only able to select a few of the pages to show in their magazine, however, the book has been scanned/ photographed in it's entirety and can be viewed on my website here. Every participant received a copy of the finished book. As stated in the article, one of our members had a book lost in a book exchange several years ago. We knew from the start that was something we wanted to avoid at all costs, so we decided to make 2 extra books as a safe guard. Fortunately all went well and none were lost or damaged through shipping. We now have 2 extra books that we would like to auction off. The 2 highest bidders will be the winners. All proceeds will go to Bernie Berlin's "A Place to Bark", a private no-kill pet rescue. Email me to make your bids. Bids will be taken until the end of September. I will periodically post the highest bidding amount. So, be generous, it's for a great cause and it's an outstanding book.

Skull necklace

I just finished up some new Reliquary necklaces. This is the first skull Vessel I have made available. The quote inside is taken from a 16th century epitaph that reads "What you are now, I once was. And you will be what I am now". Inside are tiny clear and gold glass spheres, metallic stars, a bone and a key metal charm. The skull measures 1 1/8" X 1 3/4" and is approximately 3/4" deep.

Exquisite Corpse Charm Bracelet

This a bracelet made with the charms made by 5 members of our Exquisite Corpse group. The charms are based on the concept we used to create a collaborative book with 11 participants several months ago. The book is now on exhibit at the the Impact Artists' Gallery (3rd picture down on the left) in Buffalo, New York. The last 2 images shown are of a book of mine "Star Hunger" that is also on display at the Gallery.

Left overs Journal Spreads #6, #7 and #8

Still working on my "Left Overs Journal". Looks like I have to expand upon it as it is just about full and I still have a pile of left overs. It's really nice to refer to these everyday journals again at a later time. They are really just relentless rambling about everyday going ons, yet they still contain useful information and ideas that are good to refer back to at a later date. There is a method to my madness. I am back to trying to photograph my vessels. My frustration level has just about hit rock bottom. I bought my nifty lighting studio, messed around forever with different camera settings and I still end up with less than adequate photos. I really despise photography and wish I could afford a photographer to take the multitude of photos that I need. For years this has been such a problem. I can not take a decent photo to save my life.

Exquisite Corpse Journal - Spread #5

I am amazed at how much stuff I have pulled out and the amount of left over "stuff" I have as this Exquisite Corpse Project draws to a close. I am determined to use up all the scraps and leftovers from the project in this journal. I am hoping (and I think I will) have left over page parts after constructing 13 books that I can also incorporate into this journal. Even if it is just a few pages, it will make this journal so much more interactive. I am just waiting on the last sets of pages from one of the members of the group and then I can start assembling the actual Exquisite Corpse Project together. I hope it comes today, I just can't wait to start putting it all together!

"Leftover Object Journal"

So much for my new "Found Object Journal"...another time for that one. Instead I have found that as this Exquisite Corpse Project draws to a close I have made one too many covers. I also have a lot of left over "stuff" that is far too good to throw in the trash can. I can take all this "stuff" and make a wonderful everyday journal out of it. If there are extra completed pages (which there will be, as I have made too many and I believe a few other people have too) left over from the project I can also incorporate them into the journal as well and make it quite interactive. So, I guess instead of the "Found Object Journal" I had planned, this is a "Leftover Object Journal" ..... probably a better idea anyways.

A simplistic stencil for the Exquisite Corpse

This is my third page for the Exquisite Corpse project that we are working on. This project is slowly drawing to a close and several of us seem to still be interested in exploring this concept further. So, It looks like there will be a second book made after this one is completed.

Crusade #19 for the GPP Street Team involves making a stencil or a mask this month. For this page I used a very simplistic mask of an arch just cut from paper. It was layed on my page and paint was sponged on and beyond the edge of the mask to achieve this effect. I have also used this mask on the front cover of the book. I think this shows that even the simplest of designs can be very effective.

Skull and Crossbones Carved Stamp

This Exquisite Corpse Project is well underway. I am really enjoying it and am looking forward to receiving the entries from other participants in the group. We are "decorating" the backs of the pages and including contact information. I thought a carved stamp of a Skull and Crossbones would be a nice addition for the backs of mine. It's nice how the white ink prints up a rather ghostly looking image on the black card stock. I am enjoying this project so much (as are several other players) that we are thinking of continuing after this book is completed. The possibilities are just endless and need to be explored well beyond just this one book.

Exquisite Corpse Project

This group is now closed. This Exquisite Corpse Project is underway at this time with 11 participants.

Exquisite Corpse Project

I am finally getting around to organizing a Round Robin I have been wanting to do FOREVER. I just kept waiting for things to slow down so that I would have some extra time. I have come to realize that will never happen. So, I have decided to do it now. I'm thinking 10-12 players. I might still have a few available spots for anyone that is seriously interested, does quality work, can follow guidelines and strict mailing dates. There is a short deadline and all the details haven't been worked out yet. Email me for details to this point if you REALLY want to get involved.