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like to submit a new memorabilia album completed during the first week of the year and my 2017 journal, which aren't originally made books, in that I didn't make the covers, bindings and pages, but rather re-purposed books.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!