Altered Book

So, since our altered books are due I decided I would reflect back on my process of making it. When we started working on the book in class I was really inspired by the guest artist's books, but I sat down and drew a blank. I just starred at the book like it was a foreign creature. So I decided I needed to just dig into it and maybe something would happen. First I got gold tissue paper and began using it to cover some pages. Then I grabbed paint and started rigorously painting random pages. I was actually having a lot of fun, but the book wasn't looking to "Altered". Weeks past and I decided to brainstorm ideas before I started working on the book aimlessly again. Because it was constantly plaguing me I starting finding things everywhere that could transform my book. Used Cd's, playing cards, building blocks...anything could make this book into something new. I then decided I wanted a theme and after finding some vibrant Hawaiian print fabric I was set on making the book have a Hawaiian theme. I’ve always been attracted to everything Hawaiian even though I’ve never been there. I choose 4 different color fabrics with similar prints and collected shells and dried flowers. I covered the book with bright blue fabric, like the ocean. Then stamped the pages with a brown stamp pad to make them look rustic. I then made clusters of the fabric, shells, and flowers and hot glued them to the pages. The book began to stay open with all the materials filling up the pages. I loved it. My book had been transformed.

...Pictures coming soon :-)

Spreads

Photos and Spreads

Long time no see...

Hey friends... Sorry I haven't been writing. I've decided to combine my book of native flowers with my book from artist books which will now be on native Californian architecture. Even though I love the spreads below, my San Diego subject matter wasn't evolving into the personal transformation that I imagined. I wanted to be a contrast between my personal experience of where I grew up and my love of San Diego. So when I went back to where I used to live to take pictures, I realized this book wasn't really coming together the way I saw it in my head. I’m not admitting defeat, I'm going to continue to work on my San Diego book but it will not be my final project for this class.
As I was in Santa Barbara I notice all the amazing native Californian architecture. Everything from the historic mission to the current day courthouse is detailed and reflective of the original Spanish style architecture that we continually emulate in our current building style. I began to think about the contrast being architecture and nature and realized it is such as strong symbol for the different ways we live our lives. Everyone always tries to plan out their lives and inevitably changes will happen that evolve one's personality. These special occurrences are represented by the native plants of California inserted in my book. There will be text that joins the photographs to set the tone for life experience and true feelings that are never spoken.

Spreads coming soon...

Downtown Night Life

I attended the art show downtown at the Ivy Hotel which featured Eric Warner and Bob Hoste. Luckily I didn’t have as much trouble as other people getting in thanks to Grace who totally saved me and let me in the line with her. Otherwise I don’t think I would have gotten in at all. And I’m glad I did because everything was so beautiful! My favorite pieces were I think by a guy named Paul. The pieces reminded me of Rauschenberg, which is one of my favorite artists. He used most paint but also incorporated found objects and texture. The painting were pretty large scale, about 5 feet tall and 3 feet wide and some were quite abstract. I was really inspired by this mans work and it really made me want to start painting again. I hope Eric and Bob had a successful show and I look forward to seeing their future venues. Thanks for inviting me boys. ☺

...spreads...

More Spreads

The Book Begins...

take a look...

Vulnerable

You would never believe this dripping liquid off his face actually came out of his mouth. We viewed Oliver Herring photographing this man after he spit water with food coloring up in the air and let it land on his face. through all that filth...you can't help but stare at his eye! They capture you.