Tracemarks began as a way of keeping a record of what was happening in my studio - in a sense it replaced my 'drawing a day' books which were becoming harder and harder to maintain. As such I am able to look back through my blog and see what I have been working on over the last few years and it can be such fun. I also like the fact that because one includes photos in the posts, it has made me mindful to photograph my work.
Over the years I have been remiss and work has sold and I have no record of it at all. Now I take oodles of photographs from all angles (I guess because books are like that) and have a memory track of the work I make. This book below, 'Branching Out' is one that sold at the exhibition. I have chosen a few of the many photos I took. The book is smaller than my 'Standing on Fishes' book but still quite large as far as artist's books go. Once again I have used film for the drawings, pen and ink and graphite, and layers of soft tengujo papers in between layers.
The sense I hoped to capture here was that of wandering through the forest and being entranced by the debris of the forest floor - the broken branches and their beautiful markings as they decay. In fact I often spend my time in the forest/bush looking down rather than upwards!
These last few images are again of my 'Standing on Fishes' - still my favourite - which I finished in time for the exhibition. I have used graphite and graphite pencils to draw some very simple lines and markings which seemed to tie the pen and ink drawings together.
When I posted on this book I had not in fact sewn it. I chose a simple Japanese stab binding as it suited the aesthetic of these books and the front cover simply has a few lines embossed into it. The book has a slip case of perspex and I also made covers for the books under which they sit for display.
Beautiful work, Susan! The book is such a wonderful form to express the layers of time and experience.
ReplyDeleteWishing you all the best....Patti
Thanks you so much Patti. There is certainly magic to be found when creating an artist's book and trasparent papers really offer that lovely possibility of building up an image in layers. Quite delicious. So good to hear from you Patti. Hope all is well with you. I haven't been out visiting blogs like I did, but will find time to start again soon. x
Deletesuch an elegantly bound beauty
ReplyDeleteMany thanks Mo Sometimes the simplest binding can be the most elegant. x
DeleteI continue to be touched by the beauty and sensitivity of your work - you are so talented. However talent isn't enough to produce the work that you do. It comes from the heart, the head, happiness and pain. The ability also to REALLY look at what is around you. As always I wish I could see your work in real life.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the lovely comment Diane. I certainly like to think my work is a combination of what I perceive and what I feel. Thanks for knowing that x
DeleteBeautiful work! I do think you accomplished your goal with "Branching Out" - drawing the mind and eye to the enchantment of the forest floor. I visit a daughter and a friend in Oz from time to time. One of those times, I hope you'll be an exhibiting and I will get to see this very ethereal work firsthand.
ReplyDeleteThank you for coming by to look again Diane. If I am not exhibiting and you are passing nearby you can always come and visit the studio. Let me know next time you are coming please.
DeleteI will definitely get in touch. "Passing nearby" just may happen since I try to explore more and more of your beautiful country each time I come.
DeleteI see you have discovered Tengucho Japanese papers.. I love them as well as they are tough but delicate as well... I hand paint acrylics on them to create textures for my collage. Your book looks so delicate and fragile and poetic.
ReplyDeleteAh yes Donna - I have been using the tengucho papers for some time now - I have some 25gsm, some 11gsm and some 5gsm which as yet I have not used. I love it. Glad you enjoyed seeing photos of my book. After 'Standing on Fishes' I really want to write some poetry for 'Branching Out', and probably could have though I think it speaks for itself more readily than S on Fishes which needed some explatation. Besides I jsut ADORE Rilke's verse.
DeleteSo poetic and sensitive, so glad I made it to your exhibition.
ReplyDeleteSB - love how the colour and marks have washed across the film - great surface. Go well. B
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