winter remembering spring

So... I have just had the most wonderful day at an agility seminar with my dog Zander. I learned so much about myself as a dog handler and about what an amazing gift he is to me. He is so tolerant of my handling mistakes and remains excited and motivated, he is forgiving and so much fun. I am so lucky!
Now about my theme.
The theme of Winter remembering Spring does not have to be limited to changes in weather, ecology, and hours of daylight. It can also refer to the seasons of life. I think of my relationship with my granddaughter. I also think of the song by Joni Mitchell called "The Circle Game". You can listen to it on youtube. Go to http://www.google.com/#sclient=psy&hl=en&tbs=vid:1&q=joni+mitchell+the+circle+game+live&aq=1&aqi=g3&aql=f&oq=&pbx=1&fp=106bd4fa2f9f528f
and you can choose from several videos.
I also think of the trilogy of "Maiden , Mother and Crone". There are also the seasons of our own lives. Drawing about the earth's seasons is only one way to interpret my theme. I have not decided on what I will do to start. I am considering a drawing from a photograph of my great grandmother and my brother as a baby. I am also considering doing winter trees. I will be more than happy for the drawings that you all do to move on from and beyond the marks I have put on paper.
I think of the theme being largely about transition which can be described through images of winter (the old) moving towards spring (the new). One doesn't usually think of transitioning from old to young but here are a few inadequate words I wrote on the subject several years ago.

Winter is the season of sleep,
of waiting for renewal,
of going inside
to find one’s self.
It is a time of unseen growth.
It is the season of death
leading to rebirth.

So that is my theme

Katie

Unintended Collections: Marcia’s Theme

Unintended Collections is my theme.  Here’s my initiating/current thought about it.  But like Rosie, I’m interested to see where it goes through each of our interpretations. Masha requested more input on the meaning of each of our themes. So here goes for me:

I do not intentionally collect things for collecting sake. As I get older, my inclination is to have less, rather than more. I’m always looking to give things away to a next rightful appreciative “keeper”. Certainly, I like to have functional objects in my life--especially in the kitchen :-).  But despite this, I find that “stuff” seems to pool around me. Sometimes I’ll realize that these “unintended collections" do have meaning for me. Or I can’t help but to claim them as part of my story. I’ll open a drawer & realize there’s some like things that have gathered.  I’ll put on a jacket that I haven’t worn since a previous season & find a handful of  shriveled buds, or curls of bark, or a few shells. Are these like crumbs left by my unconscious mind?  Little omens? Something that will make me know my life more deeply if I let them stay in my keeping for at least a short time so I might shine a spotlight on them through drawing them?

I  hope this help, Masha. Words are good, but I think the artwork that you receive in each of our books will be your best guide.

The next pages.

Here is a draft of the next pages.

The first is blank at the moment! I used watercolour crayons plus a little watercolour paint and a bit has bled through. So shall have to think of something.

The next three images continue the musians/dance /friends thread.

The last one is of a Tibetan Bone Dancer. The premise of his dance is that as we are all bones in the end, we should be generous to our fellow travellers!

With this I hope to open out the theme to wider thoughts.

It could move on in any direction anyone likes :)

Rosie x

Telling the Story: sign in page.

Masha,
I think I got it figured out how to get posts sent to you. Please let me know if you get a copy of this emailed to you.
Katie

So .. This is my sign in page. Now I have to figure out what to do as my first drawing.

This is a sketch of what my sign in page will look like. Each of us will sign in on a branch.

'Telling the Story : sketch book images.’ : some thoughts

I’m really excited about your theme, Rosie.  I just finished reading an excellent book by Edmund de Waal (a British potter), The Hare with Amber Eyes: A Family’s Century of Art and Loss.  His story follows a collection of netsuke--Japanese small art pieces that has been in his family for generations.  Here’s a quote: “..take an object from your pocket and put it down in front of you and you start.  You begin to tell a story”.  And another: “Each one of these netsuke for Anna is a resistance to the sapping of memory."

My sketch books!

About me!

moly-x-24 A bit about me!

Drawing has been an activity and a companion for as long as I can remember. This has resulted in a stack of sketch books etc! Retired now, I have taught art and craft subjects for children and adults as well as (occasionally) selling my work.

Life drawing is a favourite occupation and I sometimes teach workshops and organise drawing sessions. I use watercolour when out and about and experiment with print -making and mixed media collage.

I'm married and have one son and a grandson. My second husband (of twentyfive years) has two daughters and four granddaughters. During the last few years I have learnt to play concertina and enjoy being part of a folk dance band. Many of our friends are musicians, giving me subjects for sketching!

I'm looking forward to the sketchbook exchange with hope,

Rosie x

winter remembering spring

This is a doll I made years ago at a workshop I taught. It is what I was thinking about for my theme. In fact I might start with a drawing of this doll.

Peace

Katie

Seeking a 4th artist

I’m assuming you both got the copy of the invitation to join us email I wrote to Donna Malone in Brisbane, Australia. To recap: she needs until Tuesday to think about it.  That’s OK with me. Is waiting OK with you two?

If she declines, I have others in mind who would also make interesting additions to our group.--Marcia

Yes Rosie we still have snow

In celsius it is -18 here this morning. We expect it might warm up to a balmy 0 degrees celsius today. Here are two photos of my garden so you can get a feel of February here in Minnesota this year.

decision time

So are we ready to make a decision on how we are going to do our exchange? We have several options to choose from.

Theme or no theme
1. we choose a comon theme
2. we don't have a theme
3. each of us chooses independently her own theme or no theme

Process
1. we send our books around once and do 10 pages at a time
2. we send them around twice doing 5 pages at a time
3. we send them around 3 times and do 3.3 pages at a time

I am leaning towards each of us having our own theme.

As far as process goes I like the idea of sending them around either twice or three times. Twice would be cheaper but five pages is a bit of a long spread. Three times would cost more in postage but I like the shape of 3.3 pages better than the long 5 page rectangle.

What do you think Rosie and Marcia?

Peace
Katie

Welcome to moly_x_24!

This blog will follow the adventure of a group of artists around the world, in a Japanese fold Moleskine sketchbook exchange.

Each artist will set off with a small Japanese (accordian) folded Moleskine. Creating a drawing, collage, or painting, then send that book on to the next artist. Each artist will draw on a couple of spreads (3-4 pages) then send it on to the next artist. When the artists book is filled, it will be returned to the owner with images created by artist around the world. Each artist has a month to make an entry. The outcome will be a pleasant and surprising adventure, as artists are encouraged to interact and merge their art with others.

The concept:

1. Each artist begins with the Japanese fold Moleskine - Name, address, email address written in book.

2. Each artist gets 1 month to make a sketchbook entry, and mail it to the next person. The order is listed to the right.

3. Each artist will do 3-4 pages each round.

4. Artists are encouraged to interact with other images in the book. Please be respectful.

5. When the book is full, when one side of the unfolded book is filled, the book will be sent back to its original owner. That artist may continue by buying a new book and sending it to the next person.

6. If a person decides not to continue, she will simply keep her book when it comes back to her. She should email all of the participants to say she is not going to continue. We will decide, then, if we want to find a new person.

7. Please communicate regularly via email. Let each person know that you have received/sent the book. The goal is to have a dialogue. Any comments and questions are welcome.


This moly_x_project was begun by Marty Harris, Minnesota, USA.

I am trying to figure this out for us

I have been a bit confused about the process. At first I thought that we worked on one sketchbook at a time. As I look into it more it seems that we each get a Moleskine Japanese Album and start them more or less simultaneously. You can see the Moleskine Japanese Album at
http://www.moleskine.com/catalogue/classic/hard_black_cover/japanese_album__pocket.php
it is a tiny little thing. They can be purchased on line at
http://www.amazon.com/Moleskine-Japanese-Album-Pocket/dp/8883701046
or you might check at your local art supply store.


When finished with our entry we send it on to the next artist on the list. So, Marcia would send hers to me (Katie) when I'm done I would send it to Nina. Nina would make her contribution and send it to Rosie who would return it to Marcia after she adds her work.
At the same time the book I start will go ... Katie > Nina >Rosie > Marcia > Katie
Nina's .... Nina > Rosie > Marcia > Katie > Nina
Rosies ... Rosie > Marcia > Katie > Nina > Rosie

To get started it seems that we will need the mailing address of the person that we will be mailing to. So Nina I guess I need your address. You can email it to me directly if you prefer ksrivard@gmail.com.

In addition because I misunderstood the process .. I wonder if it wouldn't be better if we decided mutually to have a theme or not and if so what it should be. So I will leave my suggestion out there but it is only a suggestion.

Marty has kindly posted on the blog a step by step explanation for the process as well.

It seems that other than just getting to know each other step #1 is for each of us to buy a Moleskine Japanese Album.

I am so looking forward to hearing from you all.
Katie