Catching Up part 1

A few weeks ago I added some new bookplates to the Etsy shop. And then there was the news I meant to share, also weeks ago. News that in the midst of the printing-cutting-packaging bookplate Christmas rush resulted in happy dancing feet and much gratitude. My little bookplate shop, The Oddest Owl,  was mentioned by Carolyn Kellogg at the LA Times Book Blog in an article -13 favorite bookplates for sale on Etsy. I was truly honored. Thank you, Carolyn!

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Currently at the Taubman is an extremely large cardboard fountain created by artist, James Grashow. (Youtube video here.) It was heroic and grand and just knowing it took four years to create was awe-inspiring in itself. I think Mr. Grashow's plan is to eventually place the fountain in an outdoor location, (adding water to the fountain--I think) and observing the disintegration. Maybe there will be a video for that when it happens. I'd love to see it or even better, to be there when the first water droplet soaks into the paper.

And I love this quote from Mr. Grashow:

"I am convinced there is a link between corrugated board and creativity. Its very valuelessness liberates us. Boxes, tubes, sheets of corrugated board - everything that lives between the good stuff and garbage - becomes a perfect partner for play. Rescued from trash, it asks only, "What do you want me to be?" Corrugated board is the DNA of creativity. Boxes, glue, tape, knives and a group of willing people can create anything. And have a great time doing it."

Makes me want to actually do something with the three boxes I've been hoarding in the artroom for a few months now. I've promised my hubby a cardboard robot (one of the bands he plays in is named Robotic Jive) and at least now, thanks to the Corrugated Fountain, I am definitely inspired. I will be sure to take pics if  when that happens.

I feel blessed that when we went to the Taubman a few weeks ago we were able to catch the exhibit "Fallen" by Jane Hammond before it left. "Fallen" is an on-going installation piece consisting of thousands of handmade leaves, each inscribed with the name of a U.S. soldier killed in Iraq. We stood in silence, heads bowed, along with everyone else, saddened and awed by what was at our feet. We read the names, some outloud but in hushed voices, and tearfully acknowledged each autumn leaf as being as unique and beautiful as the soldier being honored. I will never forget the feeling in that room, the power of the joined emotion. Were they praying like I was, that one day there would be no more leaves added to the heap?

I read that Ms. Hammond collected the individual leaves over the course of several years, scanned them, printed them front and back, making sure they lined up perfectly on the page. She then cut each leaf out careful and exact before touching it up with paints, creasing and bending until it was a duplicate of the original found leaf. Amazing! Her other works are incredible as well.

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In the next post I'll share the mixed media pieces I've been working on these past few months. I had a good chunk of time in the art room on Friday resulting in two finished pieces so lots of fun things to photograph tomorrow for a bit of show and tell.

Hope you are well and warm where you are.

Blessings,