Shadow Box Books

When Paul Johnson was in Los Angeles a couple of years ago, he stayed here in my cabin for a few days and worked with my students for two days.  During one of those workshops, he taught us a 4-step shadow box that can be used as a single or as a multiple (no math and no rulers involved!).  You can incorporate drawings, paint, photos, collage, etc..

I have loved those boxes, and have always been amazed at what my students can do with them.  I have decided that I want to put together both a workshop (I shared them with Tamara last night), and also present them to high school students.

Working with a few layers allows you to address the background, mid-ground, and foreground in a very tangible way.  Here are a few results from my recent experiments.  Kudos to Paul.  (P.S. Have no fear, I did make a Valentine with this format; hence, the day!)

GREAT class today at UCC

Today I took my first class at The Urban Craft Center in Santa Monica with book artist Jeannine Stein.  I am slated to teach there in March and again in April, but I had not taken a class yet.  I had read about Jeannine's book Rebound, and was very impressed.  I love the idea of creating art with recycled materials, but I have to admit that it's rare that I see "recycled" work that looks like NEW art, and not just....ummmm.....trash put together for recycling sake. (Does that make sense?)  It is also difficult to find a group of book artist instructors  that are organized, have materials prepped, and are truly dynamic people who love what they do, and love to share ideas.  (Sad to say, that may be the one thing on the east coast that was in abundance!  Hmmm....okay, I also miss picking my own blueberries, raspberries and blackberries abundantly.)

So meeting Jeannine in this fabulous space was a treat, and I am delighted that I pushed myself out this morning to join them.  Jeannine is organized, has materials prepped, shares open-heartedly, and knows her medium well.  Her work is clean, concise, and professional.  And, unlike me, she is truly "hip" to all the latest craft gadgets that make cutting corners easier (literally), and punching a variety of holes, and using rivets to adhere covers, etc..  I was disappointed that her published book wasn't available, but, hey, that's what Amazon is for, yes? 

I want to say that I LOVE THIS "ROMANESQUE" BINDING!  It is indeed beautiful.  So thank you, Jeannine, thank you UCC, and thank you to the other students in today's class.