Collage Series

Following along with the October lesson from Rebecca Sower in Fodder School 2....I just finished a little collage series.  I became more confident mixing my own colors and learned new ways to paint and mark my own papers....and was reminded of the importance of value and design.  These are all things I've dabbled with....but am learning to apply them in a more deliberate way. There are things I would have done differently....but all in all I'm fairly happy with them....and it was a good chance to use some papercuts from my stash. 

The scheme is a little unusual for me....but I think they have an earthy fall look. They couldn't be more different than my recent funky faces. 

As a matter of fact....they do look like the fall colors I've been seeing lately....especially in the oaks.    

 

These are the two I like best. Now....what do I do with them?

Frames will make a big difference....they are just stitched onto nice watercolor paper....a clever matting tip Rebecca taught us.  They are 5 x 5 collages on 8 x 8 paper. 

Pocket Journal

I spent a good chunk of the day putting together a little pocket journal as the final project for this month's Fodder School lesson by Autumn Moon.  At first I thought I would just get a start...but then once I was in the middle of the mess fun I needed to see it through.  All the pages are hand painted and handwritten....with the exception of a few book pages.

It's not so much a journal...but more a little art book using lots of bits and pieces from the handwriting lessons and play....and I'll probably add more.  It's certainly an explosion of color....a good diversion on a very COLD day.

I enjoyed learning the process of making the little book....similar to what I've done before but different enough to be new.

This is the inside of the cover before I added the two sets of pages....and it even has a little pocket for one of my handwritten hearts.  You can see a little video tour of it here on my Instagram page:

https://www.instagram.com/p/CYw4A5AJl4a/

Invitation

"This new day is too dear, with its hopes and invitations, to waste a moment on the yesterdays."  Ralph Waldo Emerson

Inspired by this month's lesson in "Fodder School"....I've been writing on everything. 

I found this watercolor in an old sketchbook and covered it in writing. It might have been better if I had actually written something of substance rather just my stream of consciousness....but maybe it doesn't matter all that much what the words are. It was an invitation that presented itself.....and I accepted.

Paul and I are so grateful for beautiful sunsets in our backyard. We love the silhouettes of the bare trees in the woods this time of year...and this time of day. An invitation to pause and enjoy.

Fodder

Finding joy in the process....finding joy in my fodder.

I've been quietly following along with a class called Fodder School.  Over the course of a year 12 artists are sharing their techniques to create collage "fodder".....a relatively new word for me. 

Fodder in the art and craft world is anything....literally anything....that can be used in collage, art, and crafting.  Stamps, envelopes, old book pages, greeting cards, maps, art experiments, doodles and on and on....I have it all. I've been saving it, snipping it, punching it, painting, and doodling it for years.

I've done some unusual things with my fodder....like sewing it together to send as a goofy card.

I've made shared art journal pages...

and greeting cards....

Some of you might remember back in 2019 I completed a 100 day index card project using fodder. This card was made from a calendar page and some snippets. 

Fodder School started in October....and I've been playing around with the techniques here and there....but this month's lessons by Autumn Moon have really caught my attention.  We've been learning simple techniques for making textured backgrounds and adding our handwriting as mark making.  Here's a little "handwritten heart"..... inspired by Fodder School.