Altered States of Art

In the More Than Words class yesterday we finished working on altered books from magazines and discussed how to make the books more 3 dimensional. I demonstrated different methods of altering pages such as cutting and curling, weaving strips of paper, making curls from strips, folding to form geometric shapes and rolling cylinders to reinforce the pages. We talked about the negative space under the opened pages to see how hanging elements could be added to add more interest. The students worked so hard. They were encouraged to talk to each other about solutions. At class end, students displayed their books on two tables and we collectively talked about them. Many were impressed by the sculptural feel of the books and the interesting and diverse approaches to altering the pages. I left my camara in the classroom . Yikes. Pictures to come...

My First Ever Altered Book

I worked on my first altered book from magazines using collaged elements to demonstrate the technique to a class I was teaching to middle school students. I love the sculptural effect you can achieve by twirling and weaving and rolling and cutting the pages.

More Than Words Exhibit Covered in Local Newspaper

The reception last Saturday at Pyramid Atlantic Art Center of middle school student art in the More Than Words after school art program that Ellouise and I taught was written up in the Silver Spring Gazette today. I must admit the show was quite impressive. The kids were proud and brought their parents to view it.
Here's the link: http://www.gazette.net/stories/02112009/silvnew181448_32478.shtml

Scrapping It

This accordion book was made out of discarded juice packs and other food packaging as part of the Scrapping It: Reuse, Reduce Recycle project I'm working on with young teens this winter in Silver Spring. I made this example to show students some possibilities. We will be making altered books from magazines, and prints using discarded objects.

Art Residency at Pyramid in Full Swing

I started work on my art residency at Pyramid Atlantic Art Center this week in Silver Spring. Pyramid is an internationally renown arts institution. I'll be creating a whole new body of fine art prints, artists books and digital prints for the next 5 months. I was awarded the Keyholder Residency along with two other artists in December. Pyramid Atlantic offers fully equipped studios for papermaking, etching, lithography, relief, screen-printing, letterpress, and digital printing. They are enriched by the supportive, creative community comprised of artist-staff, interns, other visiting artists, and the public.

Imagination Blooms

Using books to support the Imagination Blooms project
The phrase "Imagination Blooms" was given to the creation of art projects that will be produced at 24 DC area shelters. I was invited by painter Marsha Gallo to share my books and help children to create self portraits using shapes cut out of felt, buttons, sequins, feathers and a bunch of other materials. I was delighted by the creativity the young people displayed. Earlier in the evening I read my Grandma's Purple Flowers book to them and another book I illustrated called My Steps. The art the children created that day will be stitched into a quilt and displayed at the "Of Wine and Words" gala celebrating the Reading Connections 20th anniversary in Washington D.C. in March. The Reading Connection is a non-profit organization dedicated to bringing books and a lifelong love of reading to children in housing crisis.

More Than Words Exhibit and Reception

Pyramid Atlantic Art Center Director, Jose Dominguez
and art student discuss flag book.


Guest views glue prints made by students.

Saturday, February 7th, 2009, 3 pm to 5 pm
More Than Words is Pyramid Atlantic Art Center's new after school program at Silver Spring International Middle School led by myself and storyteller Ellouise Schoettler. The program focused on using storytelling and bookmaking techniques to promote creativity and build youth literacy. This exhibit will feature the artist books, prints and collages created by the youth in the program's winter session where we focused on the presidential election and all the differences between people and ideas that resulted. Come to the "Meet the Youth" Reception at Pyramid Atlantic Arts Center, located at 8230 Georgia Avenue in Silver Spring, Maryland.