Thursday 27 March 2008

Full circle





I feel like I have completed a full circle with this new book I'm making. Believe it or not I used to create vintage and sepia many years ago. Back in the 'earthy' days. I live in a log cabin with some internal mud brick walls, back then everything was 'browns' and a la natural. Now things have changed, I still live in the same house but the timber and adobe walls have become more, shall we say, Mexican, Bali, Mediterranean style colours as has my art.

The pages above are a few from a booking I'm making to teach in a 'Vintage Book' all day workshop at Hann Made in Mentone in June. The memories came flooding back, staining the papers with tea and coffee. I remember staining our timber floor with a very strong brew of coffee, the house smelt wonderful for days.

I'm also carving stamps and putting together kits for the Altered book workshop I'm teaching at our Artistic Journey Retreat here in May, Nina, Misty and Traci Bautista are also teaching workshops at the retreat, so I feel very honoured to be in their presence. I'll have photos of the kits when they're complete.

29 comments:

mary schweitzer said...

There is so much texture in these you just want to touch and pet them. Fabulous work as always.
Mary

Maria Catalina Wiley said...

Thanks Ro for visiting my blog & for your lovely comments:-)

I love earthy colours also & these books look fantastic. I can't wait to see what the kits for the workshop look like. Wish I could attend!

Thank you for linking my blog!
Maria

Linda O'Neill said...

Wow what a gorgeous job you're doing, Ro. Can't wait to see the whole thing. It just looks stunning!

Sharon Tomlinson said...

Ro, These pages are beautiful. They have the most subtle colors in them. I find them very inspirational. I wish I could take your class.

Karen Cole said...

Well I can certainly identify with the Mexican thing, Ro. Hola!

You never cease to amaze me.

Back to work. hasta la vista.

Gretz said...

These pages are gorgeous Ro!

Jen Crossley said...

Oh Ro these pages are just Stunning,you have done an amazing Job simple beautiful!
Jen

Anonymous said...

This is a beautiful book. These are the colors I am most comfortable working with. Oh, I wish I could come take your classes. Can't wait to see the altered book kits.

Ursula Clamer said...

These are fabulous Ro. They are very vintage looking but I can still see a bit of colour, it is your lovely work after all! Ux

Mary lin Huskamp said...

STUNNING!!! Love the work and all the texture!

azirca said...

These pages are beautiful Ro, I love the tactile and textural quality of them.
You stained your timber floors with coffee?! Oh my, that sounds divine!

Lynn Cohen said...

These brighten my evening. I love the old fashioned look to it all.
Lovely!!!!!!
Fun to read about your house as well.
The art retreats do sound like fun.
All those in attendance will be honored to be in your presence.

Sam Marshall said...

Hi Ro,
These pieces are gorgeous!

Julie H said...

As a vintage girl I have to say I love these! So much lovely Ro layer and texture combined with a sense of history. Beautiful.

Joanne said...

I can't wait to do this one Ro! :)

sharon young said...

Fantastic pages , Ro, I love the sepia tones, so evocative.
If only you were over here, I'd do a workshop in a flash.

herhimnbryn said...

Your blog is an enchanted world of such glories! Your necklaces and mosaics are very, very beautiful.
Here via Nina's place.

Susie Campbell (Sue Smith) said...

Wow!!! Your students are in for a real treat... wish I could be there! I went to the Art Journey retreat in Fremantle last year - it was an absolutely awe inspiring time!!!

ArtPropelled said...

Lovely pages!You are a woman of many talents.

Regina said...

Ro, I think (and hope) that vintage and sepia will always be classics. These pages are lovely. I can always count on you to inspire me with your work every time I visit. Wish I could take one of your classes. I'm going to Artfest next week - do you ever teach there? Hope you'll consider it.

June said...

It's funny how we use different color schemes at various points of our lives or sometimes it just depends on our mood and what happened to us in a particular week. Right now I seem to be leaning towards the browns, rusts, and greens...more organic colors and materials in my jewelry work, just the opposite of my usual bright and colorful pallet. I love your papers, I can definitely see me using them in my art journaling projects. I was in Borders Bookstore this past Friday when I came across a big thick book about Aboriginal Art, oh if I had the money I would have picked it up immediately and it would be a permanent part of my book collection. I am very much influenced by ethnic art and I see that in your work as well. I wish I did not live on the other side of the world because I would sign up for you class! Oh you are so lucky to be teaching with Nina and Misty!! Thanks so much for stopping by my humble blog and posting such nice compliments on my jewelry.I'll be back soon to see what you are up to...

Judy Wise said...

Wonderful book; love the way your sepia is tinged with color. Wish I could take your class; these are among my favorites.

Unknown said...

Love the textures, but am partial to COLOR!

Seth said...

I eacho waht everybody else said Ro. Such great colors and textures. Definitely touchable!

Peggi Meyer Graminski said...

Hello Ro!

These pages are incredible! I have to admit - I do love all things sepia =) These are some of my very favourites - I love your work, and can't wait to see the new kits!

Best wishes,
Peggi

girlgonethreadwild said...

you need a warning label... i'm having a heART attack... someone call 9-1...

----flatline---------

xo, Monica :)

Gail said...

Count me in Ro, I will be in this class, love the colours and layers and everything.
Cheers
Gail

Gaby Bee said...

These pages are just fabulous. Great textures and colors as always.
I wish I could come and take your classes!

lindacreates said...

This is just incredible work Ro. How inspiring you are to me. Thank you for sharing your beautiful art.