I can hardly believe that I am getting to the end of the 2012 Limited Edition Sketchbook project for Art House Co-op. This week I completed pages 14 and 15. I have the back and final page to complete as well as the cover. Then, I will be able to fondly package this project up and mail it to NY.
Just to remind you all, my theme for this sketchbook has been, “How to Spell and Other Things to Learn.” I’ve chosen to express this theme by choosing words and concepts that have been important to my life and building the art around them.
Fear has been a big motivator as well as a big problem for me, but always there is hope that keeps me going…and that is how this coordinating two-page spread came to be. I have to say these pages put themselves together like I didn’t even have to think about them. That says to me that this was the right way and the right time to create these pieces.
I used two new techniques that I haven’t tried before. Recently, I read about “automatic writing.” This is a technique where you put your writing instrument to the paper and begin to write without looking to hard at the page or thinking too hard about the words. If you run out of space and you have more to write you turn the page 90 degrees and continue writing.
For both pages I ended up turning the page 360 degrees, essentially writing four pages worth of material on the same page. I alternated colored pens every time I turned the page to give more depth and additional layering. The beauty, for me, with this technique is that by the time you are done writing you cannot read anything. It’s illegible. Yet, the words are there, you got them off our heart and mind. It’s liberating!
The next technique I used for these pieces is clear craft plastic. I cut the plastic to the measurements of the page and used my laser printer to imprint the words “fear” and “hope.” I really figured the ink from the printer would smear, but no. It turned out crisp and beautiful. Better than I could have hoped for. I then turned the craft plastic to the back side and used permanent pens (sharpies and prismacolor) to doodle.
I am pleased with how these turned out and I cannot wait to use automatic writing again! What do you think? If you could use automatic writing for a word or subject what would you write about? I’d love to hear your thoughts!