Wk. 4, Book 4: Girls, Women, Ladies & Queens

This week's book is inspired by the Women's March of January 21, when a record number (est. @ 5 million) of women gathered around the world in protest of that which threatens to destroy our rights, our dignity, our planet, and the greater good of all peoples. 

I am reminded of the power I hold in my DNA as an African descendant woman. I am a descendant of angles and queens, the manifest vision of the 13 grandmothers of humanity. 

The book began with a 7 1/4" x 15 1/2" heavy glossy paper taken from a large magazine and folded in half, lengthwise, and then quarter-folded, which gave me 16 panels. I cut the middle fold along the lengthwise seam down to the last two panels and accordion folded the panels so that the center panel sticks out. 

Finally, I used  heavy weight poster boards for the covers, and to each of the 14 panels I added photos from an old calendar featuring women of Africa taken by photographers Carol Beckwith and Angela Lewis. The finished, folded size of the book is 3 3/4" x 4".

This book may be in my upcoming show, although it won't be for sale. I'm using it as a rich jewel for inspiration. I'm also inspired by the Stand Up/Stand N Rock official created by Hip Hop Caucus, Taboo, members of Black Eyed Peas, and other hip hop artists "in support of the Standing Rock Reservation and the Sioux Tribe, as they lead a peaceful, powerful, and diverse movement to stop the Dakota Access Pipeline." Check it out.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=292&v=Onyk7guvHK8

Wk. 3, Book 3: At The Ancestor Altar

This week's book was inspired by my initial reaction to the 2016 election results. I was depressed. Shortly thereafter, I posted on Facebook a "download" received while meditating on the future of America. This week's book is a postscript to that message.

"At the Ancestor Altar" is a 30 3/4" x 3 5/8", 8-panel accordion fold made with poster board, deco papers, beads, and natural fibers. Following is a pic of the first four panels.

I took these pics with my phone camera, so pardon the glare. My professional photographer will retake all pics of books to be included in my upcoming show, "33 Bookz Part II." Here are the last four panels:

I won't tell you what the text says in the book--you'll have to come to the show for that. I'll keep you posted on dates, location, etc.

This bookmaking process was a meditation that forced me to still my mind while my fingers worked and listen. Really listen. Are you listening?

America is on the precipice of something utterly extraordinary . . .

THE 2017 ART CHALLENGE

Well hello there bloggers, and happy belated New Year! Or "New You" depending on what you celebrate. It's been a while since my last post, and after considerable thought, I've decided to re-take the weekly bookmaking challenge. I have to admit, that 2015 challenge almost wore me out, although it was quite invigorating on many artistic levels. That's why I'm taking myself on (again).

Technically, since the new year began two weeks ago, I'm already two weeks behind. To rectify this situation, I'd like to submit a new memorabilia album completed during the first week of the year and my 2017 journal, which aren't originally made books, in that I didn't make the covers, bindings and pages, but rather re-purposed books. 

After 14 years of sorting and categorizing 2,000+ photographs inherited from my mother and taken over the years, I finally completed during the first week of January a massive 7-volume photo album project. But I didn't account for that one box of certificates, newspaper articles, wedding and retirement announcements--stuff that we tend to save along with pictures and family relics. And since all the other volumes were full, I created a special memorabilia album using a 3-ring binder and sheet protectors. A simple, functional, expandable re-purposed book to hold past and future relics that have no meaning to anyone except maybe moms and grandmothers. Like this certificate my eldest son, Yale, earned at age 5:

As for my 2017 journal, I stepped out of my 14" x 17" computation book comfort zone and decided to use an 8" x 6" spiral bound book that came with its own cover of yellow and pink roses (courtesy of my dear friend Miriam J.). My intention is to turn this simple, lined-page journal into an artbook with all kinds of interesting folds and pop-ups and redesigns. Re-purposed. 

Until next week, much love & ART!