A local call for art requested the journals of artists for a group show at Make.Shift In Bellingham. I had been playing with a small origami booklet in collage and decided to make a bunch of them with collaged words on them. random. nothing specific or organized, just subconscious word play.
As you know I tend to NOT collage with words, I have integrated typography into my work, and words do find me sometimes and they get a devoted page at the end of each journal.
THIS project evolved into something very unexpected. The art call was right about the time of this last move almost two months ago now. If you recall the decision and the actual move all happened very quickly. On the other side of it all I felt feelings of post-trauma. like holy crap what a roller coaster ride this move west has been. my city studio as I call it will be and is, a MUCH better scenario for me, but as circumstances would have it - I had to wait 25 months to get to it. The move was week before christmas, a lot of emotions, chaos and loneliness. This call for art gave me something to do.
The project was cathartic, time-consuming, meditative, and fun. It became multi-dimensional and more comprehensive than what I first envisioned. The pages feel worn, used, thought upon. The words found were random yet synchronistic to my day, my mood and my life. The project took multiple magazines down to nothing but their binding, utilizing the entirety of their pages, imagery and words.
23 Handmade Origami Journals. 72 pages. 604 - ish words. 3 glue sticks.
Magazines used: V, Tricycle, Harry Potter Catalog, National Geographic, Rolling Stone, Smithsonian.
These are what the collages said:
#1
strong insights buzz don’t be fooled by the most important there you are the rock review coming
is fish for thought whisk make withdrawn we’re sure
life after turn your bad day around make us better some some the next human beyond mountains contents
contents beyond when you’ve made history go barking wild for a weekend ice is melting
these simple moves will help stretch you haven’t felt this good since you were doing cartwheels in the backyard yourself happy
you breathe deep stand the day tall and loosen up all over fall
things you need earned the four eyed fish watery
right or left we need energy original flavor books
human problems when sex is so a gift for a friend change the rest is silence
change wake up call swirl view
day taste kindness in a pomegranate mind
the sanity we are born with finished 2 minutes pearls of wisdom walls are doors may I become an island
woman change your meeting of the minds ice co
getting around world naturalness thirty six years later because of us changes matter
leave it intense H hot stuff
lets step back a moment collective blue green blue troubled waters clean water water
crisis solitude green blue rend blue green green
cling clutter things blue red blue green blue blue green blue rainful skies
freezin its not about belonging at all but letting go desire learning to listen
all
blue red green
#2
living sees art now
turn art sublime art great lovers
into a great room
illustrate the predators legendary hunting techniques first comes love phenomenon then comes evolutionary strategy
heartbreaking enchanting life the estate of
jewels power of royal color
a cure? Doctors are harnessing metallic spheres travel the world free most lovable be so cute that humans will do the work to keep them around explore
hottest contributors from the coolest real art heroes soared on the trail discussion landed meet the animal
plucked from affections love plunder our deepest bonds hold the secrets to tender silver today’s your lucky day
who she was saved from when flock together then and now embracing
poetry has probably saved me her identity expanded
needs the world needs interesting so little time it’s like a blast of hydration classic
be without bread home cook bigger ideas alone
home natural food for thought nocturnal love feast new show selection can humans adapt traditions
on planet? Do it yourself forward present day science becomes near future distant future
6,000 years ago adapt to fast to the red flight control the future in the making reality the mountainous
offer the quality you need realising a world a fishy tail how did they do that? The truth takes on an ever grander proportions
doll queen of grunge question peace too best customer bonus save $1.00 free realize your vision
rocks rough and tumble state of mind people are people piece of cake it happened parts desire love
its day break let them eat cake
new photography a tale of two men
imagine big love water presented by visions
faithful apparently savor
#3
take refuge after the city is a ruin. trains sit motionless on their tracks. Schools ae silent. Libraries and laundromats lanquish in decay. Everyone has vanished.
Life full of everyday encouraging us somewhere getting there extraordinary
Free tiny frozen stirring that as is not giving up
The muddy square of earth is the way things really are clouds in water the hands of a woman celebrate life to live
Ho! A heavy disappointment ultra
Off the beaten path bridge follow your curiosity it goes throughout separated by eight years
Thing way shape and form that same punch that discussion it felt real.
Your way square your questions answered great
Squared close to home it will be common home
The The The The The The The The
The The The The
The The The The The long way
Cinderella exploring how you can help people escape
On the afternoon of shape meet our most important world giant beast
Making you huff and puff? Full steam ahead recovered from seeing the forest fast forward fatal beauty
For complements visionary national
Eight shore
Monogamy that roared here’s a dirty little secret: treasure the mouth
What moves you? next sparkling generation
Love just the right amount of love.
The installation revolves around a REAL teens room, a TRUNK full of readable touchable journals. In the adjacent room are shelves, pedestals and mobiles of a variety of art journals - painted, inked, authored and collaged. Just wonderful.
I really enjoy participating in group shows at Make.Shift - the shows are creatively accessible and it's a happening place. Fun vibe to be a part of.
Thank you Make.Shift for having me!!