Tales from Studio Mailbox

Kindergarten Journal Page

My son's road to kindergarten has been an absolute horror.  I don't have a lot of energy to even write about it. Let's just say it's brought up a whole interesting slew of stuff that's not fun to discuss.  My journal page pretty much sums it up. I made this months ago, and the quest didn't end until yesterday. 

A letter finally arrived from a small neighborhood school that just so happens to have room for one little German boy.  

Tomorrow I'm posting again about a small but exciting give-away.  We're also moving apartments over the weekend. I'm trying to think of it as a complicated hotel room change, but the reality is that we are actually going to have to redistribute all the toys and debris around here and apparently we won't have internet or TV for a few days either. I guess it's not OK to run cables and shit down the hallway of our apartment building from the old place to the new one.

Once we settle we're going to enjoy our summer.

And then I think I'm slowly going to start up again around here.  After I chase the kindergarten bus for a few weeks of course...

Making Art Making Friends Making Arty Friends

The craziest thing has happened since I've stopped blogging.

I met an art friend.  IN REAL LIFE.

We've been having a lot of fun, and I'm getting introduced to all kinds of products on the US market that that probably would have otherwise eluded and bewildered me.  (Here's a post she wrote about sharing her pan pastels if you want to see us dorking out)!

Last week she let me play with her homemade alcohol inks.  I've never used any kind of alcohol ink, so I had no idea how cool they were.  And get this:  all she did was pull apart a Sharpie and marinate the little ink pad in rubbing alcohol which she funneled into a mini spray bottle!!  Genius!

Since meeting Goog, I've completely changed the way I work in my Moleskins.  Before I was kind of picky and boring.  I used Moleskins as my lab documentation.  Moleys were my decompression zone where I made my lists and jotted down ideas for later.  And although they're still not where I'm going to do a lot of "pretty work" I am slopping more and more stuff in there and not really caring if stuff bleeds through, sticks together or runs all over the edges of other pages. Too much anyway.

There are many days where I miss everybody in the blog-o-sphere, but I can't help but notice that since I've stepped away from my computer, I've stepped more into my life. 

I've painted my nails.  I've dyed my hair red, I've gotten a library card.  I've got some potential jobs cooking on the side.  I'm networking. I'm doing some private mail swaps without all the hoopla of a big public one.

What I miss most is visiting friend's blogs and keeping up with what everybody is doing.  I hope that soon I can find a way to hop around occasionally so I don't lose track of everyone. 

Beginning February, I start my first class at the Minnesota Center for Book Arts.  I'll be back to share that adventure... but until then, keep on crack-a-lackin!  xx tj

All that work with Goog required a LUNCH BREAK...

Einsamkeit

Here are some images from a single journal page I just finished.  I am in love with ColorBox Wild Hare.  It's not particularly anything special on paper, but check out how it looks on fabric...! 

I made a little tag that fits into the hanging heart using an old German poem titled Einsamkeit, by Kl. Dörner.  I'm not a huge "poem person" but this one was really appropriate for the project.

Some may cringe at my crude translation, (I cut out all the lines in the middle that were too hard!) but here's my interpretation:

Loneliness

We have to expand
To travel sincere silence
By the solitudes
Until we are truly pleased....
One day when we are alone, we may find that loneliness is it's own best offering.

Cancelled postage, fabric scraps, hand carved stamping over watercolor Lebkuchen heart with marker detailing, and vintage text sewn onto blue and white checkered scrapbook paper.
Man it felt good to get the sewing machine out again!

Art Deco Meets Southwestern Miami

I had promised you a glimpse at the hotel we were in for nearly a month when we first arrived in the US.

The hubs kept referring to it as “an oldie but a goldie.”  And the more time I spent in it, the more I fell in love with it in a bizarre and historic kind of way.  The staff was great. The rooms had  a small kitchenette with microwave that helped make our transition more comfortable.  All our needs were met. 

It’s really just the design that I’ve got to share with you guys!

Art Deco was the predominate feel, especially in the lighting.  And for whatever reason, there were also ceramic tiles all over the place!  And not just any tile.  The tiles were glossy jet black with touches of a miami palette: baby blue, power pink, green and white.  The complimentary colors were in flat and s atin tiles which meant not only a dramatic color contrast happening but also mixed-up finishes! 

There were all these odd half-walled paths that were landscaped with a mix of both real and fake plants.  I have never seen anything like it and the only way I can describe it was like being inside some sort of human-sized terrarium! 

There was a groovy fountain in the middle of sectioned seating areas and when you sat down it really felt like Sammy Davis Jr. or Old Blue Eyes might walk in at any moment.  They even had a black player piano, although it was over by the front desk. 

There were six floors laid out in an open plan where you could see the opposite hallways across the entire floor.  There were iron railings along the inner perimeter so you could look down into the tiled pathways below. The rooms had long windows next to the front doors with curtains in them which made it seem like being at an old fashioned outdoor motel except for the fact that it was inside a downtown building!

Everything was pattern on top of pattern. Argyle wallpaper up against tiger print curtains.  Furniture painted in metallic bronze paint with flat gray stripes.  (I am amazed how much I like these colors together).  The carpet added more pattern and even the privacy curtains had to get in on the act with their swirls. 

The elevators were glass, and the track that they rode up and down on had bold black diamonds painted behind them.  There were big globular Hollywood style white light bulbs reflecting in the brass finishes of the lifts.  All that was missing were poles in the middle with go-go dancers.

The absolutely coolest thing was that they used the perfect font on the room numbers as well as the signage in the hallways.  I was very impressed by this little touch and it sort of made up for the weirdly stenciled ceiling. 

One stranger said to me in passing, "well you don't see them like this anymore!  Maybe only in Vegas." And that was exactly it. Only Vegas and Hollywood have this kind of groovy interior magic anymore.  And so does the Comfort Suites, downtown Minneapolis.

Anyway, this little layover in our lives absolutely had to get documented in my art journal.  There is no way I could be around this kind of visual stimuli and not get a little something down onto paper!  So here are my journal pages as well as my little numeric study.

Confessions of a Color Disaster

Before I get started on Crusade 53, I've got to break some news to you guys.

I am a color disaster.  This is not just any affliction, but a very serious lack of something when it comes to color.  It is so bad that it's not uncommon for my husband to put outfits together for me.  I'm used to hearing, "schatzi did you fall into a rainbow?" if I try to leave the house after dressing all by myself.  My son came out of his room the other day with orange shorts, green t-shirt and red socks.  I don't know if I feel better or worse knowing it's a genetic condition.

Whatever it is, it's serious. And until I just typed that paragraph, I was existing in denial.

So imagine when Michelle Ward came out with Crusade 52 titled Seasonal Wardrobe. Ouch!  That's hitting close to home.  Thank god I went on vacation and didn't have to face it!  But now I return and the current Crusade is another color-related challenge called the Mad Scientist. 

So it's time I try and face facts!

The weird thing about my artwork is that I never plan a color palette when I'm starting.  I mean obviously I must at some point make conscious decisions as to what paint bottle I'm reaching for, but for the most part I just throw down a bunch of stuff and get going.  I don't remember the last time I've painted anything a solid color let alone mix a color and use it.  It's probably been 10 years or so.  Is that weird? I just like everything streaky and freaky.  The nutty thing is a lot of people tell me it's really hard to do it my way!  *palms up, shrug shoulders*  Here's the most recent thing I've done.  It's called "big mess on old shopping bag."

I never have a problem getting started on a blank canvas.  I can't even relate to that. I think of background paint sort of like the bread on a sandwich.  Bread is there to keep your fingers from getting messy when you eat meat and cheese.  Background color is something like bread in my universe.  Important and necessary but not as important as the filling.

Here's a recent background where I really like how the colors came together.  Black, white, gray and yellow.  The yellow looks darker and lighter depending how thinly it was scraped in spots.  My original plan was to scrape in black and white and print in gray.  Somewhere along the way I grabbed yellow and also started printing in white. 

I do change from thick acrylics in winter over to spray paint in the warm weather.  Recently I've found some really crappy cheap spray paint that I love because it's translucent!  If you were using it to cover something solid, it would take 3-4 coats.  But I'm loving the see-through effect and greedily snatch up the cans that go on sale.  Germany has a dismal paint selection.  There are primaries, then a few pastels, florescents and some metallics.  I can't seem to find pink anywhere.  Apparently it's not in demand.

 

I painted some sample squares of the colors I have on hand and use a lot.  Then I played with naming them.  Their German names were so boring I almost slipped into a coma!  I mentioned in an earlier comment on Michelle's site that I've always thought naming fingernail polish would be my dream job.  Well I guess that was before I actually tried to name paint and when you read these below you'll probably also come to the conclusion that I shouldn't quit my day job.  Sheesh.

The re-naming makes me giggle.  Like when you get a used dog and you hate his name so you just start calling him "Peaches" and wonder why he doesn't listen to anything.  Do you think the paint cans will listen when I start calling them by their "new" names...??

The warm colors

German name:  Violett Metallic (well knock me down!)
TJ's rename:  Disco Diva (shutty!  it's sparkly...)

German name: Fire Red (and the sirens go off)
TJ's rename:  Hot Temper (spicy or no?)

German name: Light Ivory (tell that to the elephant!)
TJ's rename:  Warm Cream (WTH?)

German name:  Bordeaux Violett (wine?)
TJ's rename:  Scarlett Peek-a-boo (this is my fave transparent spray)

The cool colors

German name:  Marine Blue (well shiver me timbers!)
TJ's rename:  Bavarian Blue* (what I use for my Bavarian flag stencils)

German name:  Light Blue (snore...)
TJ's rename:  Lausbub (Common German term for naughty boys)

German name:  Yellow Green (falling asleep yet?)
TJ's rename:  Mojito (can't believe I spelled that right!)

German name: Leaf Green (aw heck, at least they finally tried)
TJ's rename:  Hosta

*Bavarian Blue is also the name of a famous cheese here.  The blue I actually need is right between the two blues I've got on hand!
Anybody else want to join in?  Not sure?  Check out TJ's thoughts on Crusading!

TJs House - A Digital Tour

The hubby and I have lived in 8 homes and three countries since we married 9 years ago.  Our current residence is the one we've lived in the longest and the only home our son knows. 

So when Michelle Ward brought out Crusade #51: Home Sweet Home I dove straight in.  This is not only the hardest I've ever worked on a Crusade, this is the hardest I've ever worked on any blog post here at Studio Mailbox.  Michelle's ideas are so terrific, I'm grateful for the inspiration to document our life.  Truth be told, I wish I had done this for every residence I've ever lived in.

I hope you enjoy this tour, please feel free to leave a comment and let me know you were here.  Or speak up with what you think I should change in this house! 

Our first impression when pulling up to look at this rental property was less than enthusiastic.  It doesn't look like much from the front, but give it a chance, and c'mon inside...

*Ringing doorbell* Ding-dong*Ding-dong*

English Wedding Hats

I wasn't kidding when I mentioned during my Royal Wedding Post that you'd be getting a hat study from me. Our Easter weekend was spent with our dear friends Chris and Frankie who drove all the way to Germany from their little island kingdom. As always, they loaded me up on magazines in the English language including a DVD of "Happy and Glorious" Royal Weddings on Film from the Daily Mail. (While Chris made fun of me sniveling at the weddings, we also conducted a study of royal waves from the balcony.  *Note to self, this would be a super fun project to reenact for You-Tube).

For those of you who are new, I've written before about how I sometimes miss England.  And the big lesson I learned from living among the English is how to "take the piss."  Being from Minnesota where everybody is nice first, this took a little getting used to.  Taking the piss means to make fun of something.  Sometimes ruthlessly.  And although I've backed out of sessions that got too mean for my style, I have enjoyed more laughs among the English than I can count.

While sitting on our balcony Chris took a moment to take the piss out of this blog.  *Cue charming English accent and keep in mind he said this with a dead-straight face: 

"Tari, Frankie was showing me your site and all the work you've been doing.  I particularly enjoyed the piece on your swamp findings."  HILARIOUS when you realize he was talking about my Sign from God post.

See?  It's kind of fun once you get used to it. And like any young scholar who learns from their masters, this post is all in good fun, English style.  Because deep down, I'm totally impressed by the little princess who had the confidence to sit behind her auntie the Queen and wear that goofy bow on her head. Seriously awesome. I totally admire anybody who is just being true to themselves.  Keep rockin' sister!

And for those not in the know, a fascinator is a headpiece that serves no purpose.  Whereas a hat has an actual function such as keeping the sun out of your face, a fascinator is worn for merely decorative purposes.  So it's basically art for your head.  This totally flashed me back to The Hairbrush that Changes Your Life!  Anybody remember that? 

Anyway, here's a peek at the sketches in my current Moleskin as well as the technical terms used for the various styles. Is TJ taking the piss?  Affirmative.

Forensic Self Portrait

Michelle Ward's 49th Crusade challenged us to create a Forensic Self Portrait.  Sadly, I've made a habit of coming in every month as the last Crusader and this time I'm just downright late.    (Shakes head & inserts sick note).

Despite my tardiness, the self portrait has come at a good time for me because I've recently been questioning selfishness in art.  Michelle's totally cool freebie file even comes complete with a little "Me Me Me" patch that had me rolling!!

I finally decided to put to use a groovy 1970s postcard book I found at a flea market.  This thing is the perfect altered book because not only is it made with heavy quality paper, it also has these little spacers between the spreads, anticipating the way a book will fatten with everything you add to the pages!  Genius!

I'm not sure how the rest of you prep your journals when you get going but I've found that wrapping everything you're not going to paint in cling film (plastic wrap) is the easiest method.

I use the term "easy" really loosely here.  I'm more of a single-page journal girl so within 5 minutes of working in this fat book I wanted to chuck it right through the window! 

I sprayed my hand cut "Bavarian" style stencil onto the pages and then glued in some copies from Edelweiss I had been carving.

It was sort of funny because recently I was posting about being Twist Defiant and when I got all done and saw the big old flower stuck to my head I immediately thought of Anahata Katkin! So there ya go.  Dang.  Maybe everything has been done.

The book is large.  I think if I did one of these each year around my birthday then I can live to be in my 80s before having to start a new one.  And wouldn't it be fun to look back year-by-year and see how we've changed?  I totally loved this Crusade! 

This is the basic spread before I went in and added the journaling.  I'm thinking I've got to thread the tags onto that red ribbon and then attach it to the left page with a staple or something...

Here's a close up of the left side finished.  I'm not sure if I regret adding the yellow or not.  My stamping was it's usually craptastic-ness so I've had to learn how to enjoy going back in with black and reconnecting everything.  I'm not kidding.  I cannot stamp.  Ever. (Look closely at the top pic).  The results are never a clear and even impression.  And this is quite a problem because the human eye always stops at a solid line.  If you have disconnected stuff at best it just looks bad, at worst people actually can't even read it.  I've spent so much time "fixing" my bad stamping that I've gotten pretty good at it.  My brain goes into some kind of craft coma and I wake up to a page that's more cohesive!  Voila!  

As always, a big thank-you to Michelle for hosting the fun!  BTW, have you guys noticed her upcoming class Raise the Bar?  Check it out!  And if you're wondering what the crusades are, I hope you know you can come join the fun!

Hatey

I made this when Haiti was a mess.  I don't really know what it means.  I'm no social political expert.  I was just so sad (like with Katrina) how much worse a disaster is if people are poor.

But I thought of this all over again with the crisis in Japan.  Do you ever notice how the cycle goes something like this:

Shock - Horror - Oh No - Absorption - Thank God it's Not Us - Guilt/Shame - Sadness - Action - Blame - Analysis - Over Analysis - Over Saturation - How Does This Affect Me - Anger - Sadness - Wait Until the Next One - Hope It's Not Us Mentality.

YIKES.

Obviously the whole world will be affected by this.  This morning in German news they were discussing the importing of foods and where the fish will be coming from.

It's hard to know whether to keep working as usual or to make a post acknowledging what's up.  Of course I love Japan and pray for them.  *love*love*love*   I totally hatey what happened.  It's so sad.

Beth from Do What You Love has already formulated a post with links to how you can help if you're interested.

Been There Done That

Michelle Ward's February Crusade is #48 Been There Done That.  This one is the second in her "Evidence" series where she encourages us to use our journals as a place for documentation.

I decided to create a spread about a play I attended recently; Oscar Wilde's "The Importance of Being Ernest" which was organized by the local English Drama Group. 

Here is the break-down of my evidence and thoughts for anybody who wants to forensically study this:

Historical/Practical Evidence

• The parking ticket proves I managed to park the hub's car in town although I did hit a metal gate with the bumper.  But just once.
• I bought an entrance card from a scalper and for a moment while assembling this spread I thought it had the wrong date on it!  Turns out it was a ticket for the night I actually attended, but this made me realize I should quit worrying about speaking bad German and instead be a little more observant in my transactions. 
• The use of images from the flier incriminates me.  This is direct evidence that I did not return it as promised, and am instead a thieving scoundrel.

Observational Evidence

• My friend Cat, the director, can host an amazingly well run and entertaining event.
• Some Germans can speak better English than myself, and I'm a native speaker! Dang, that's impressive!
• Performance artists are fun, and a man playing a very convincing woman's role always steals the show.

Creative Evidence

• I decided I really like speech bubbles as a compositional element.
• Although I like the yellow dots around the bubbles, I regret the long skinny quote in yellow. 
• I like peach and black together.

It was sort of cool to compare this artwork with my previous outcome from C45.  I'm now aware of my speech bubble attraction and want to explore that a little further...

For now *insert exclamation point in bubble* THANK YOU Michelle for another fun creative adventure!!

Wondering about the Crusades?  Read more here.