… than never? Really? I dunno. Guess Carla will have to be the judge. To refresh your memory this is the stuff that Carla sent for the “Oh So Long Ago” Art Challenge, wherein folks sent me their stuff and I created something out of it.

Started with my son and went from there.

And here’s Carla’s finished assemblage:

Being sent out today, Carla. Sorry for the delay!

Judging by the number of assemblage-type images popping up on my Inspiration Art board I think I’m gearing myself up to get back into the studio.

What do you think?

ETA: After I made this post, I sauntered over to etsy where I found someone who was willing to sell me a taxidermied song sparrow head. Lucky? or What?!? Guess this project REALLY wants to come to fruition. Rest assured, dear readers, I will post this work-in-progress!

I knew this would happen!

The minute I decide to get rid of EVERYTHING I suddenly need something. heh. Story of my life.

Seems I’ve been hit over the head with the desperate need to make a reliquary for Caryl. Evo, my brother-in-law related 2 incidents just after her passing … while accompanying her body to the crematorium he noticed a particularly exuberant bird in the bushes outside, singing its heart out. He asked the attendant if he knew what kind of bird it was. “Song sparrow”, he replied. For days afterward while out in the garden, he noticed a similar song, a similar bird accompanied him in his rounds. 3 months later, Evo came East to deliver some of Caryl’s ashes to be dispersed here. As he stood on the shores of Oxner’s beach he noticed a bird sitting quietly in the windswept shrubs. Yep. Song sparrow.

So. I’m in need of a song sparrow’s head. If you have one. Or know where I might find one? Please comment. Thanks!

Some of you may be aware that over the last 2 years I’ve been a participant in a collaboration with Seth Apter and Bridgette Guerzon Mills. We each created our own book structure and then  pass them between ourselves. Here’s Bri’s much more descriptive synopsis:

My only caveat was that we each approach our books as something to challenge ourselves with, either via concept or medium. And then along with that, we had to be open to the challenge with the spirit of exploration. We were going to challenge each other, but most of all have fun and experiment. I said, let’s not get caught up with creating “masterpieces”, this is for experimentation. I would rather have a page in there that was a botched attempt at pushing oneself than a pretty page. Where’s the interest in just a pretty page?!

Bridgette’s book “Trees” was made from plaster pages. Seth’s “Contexture” was handbound from brittle ancient pages. Mine “Shine” was a compendium of metal pages. Here’s a photo of some of our metal pages:

A fitting end to this wonderful collab, is that all three books will be shown in Chicago at “Come Together” this summer (July 29, 30, 31) at the Milwaukee Avenue Art Festival, curated by Jane Michalski.

And because of that, I had to come up with an alternate way of showing Shine. My original intent was to string the pages up prayer flag style. But not knowing what the venue would have available, I decided something else needed to be constructed. Initially I thought of a Jacob’s Ladder-esque construct. Unfortunately, as I had originally felt they would be held from the top, each of us had added danglies to the bottom. And some of the pages were meant to be viewed from both sides. hmmmmm…. back to the drawing board!

Way back when, I hosted a project called 20 Things zine, wherein 20 people submitted 20 different pages which I then assembled as a loose page zine.

Maybe loose pages would translate for Shine? Something fairly hefty was required though to contain the pages. Further, having some way of showcasing each page would be a nice addition given that this is part of an exhibition. Enter the box:

Initially my idea was to create a metal box. Heh. Did I mention that in-between times I did a giant purge of most of my studio? Yah. So no big pieces of metal left. Enter the above constructed wooden box.

Anyway. The word “shine” kept coming into my mind and I thought, “Oh! Metal leaf. I’m pretty sure I have a bunch of silver left.” Uhm. Okay. Here’s where letting one’s daughter free-rein in one’s studio has it’s downside. The package was intact. But there was but one sole silver leaf sheet left. Ah well. I applied that to the top and finished the rest with just about all of my remaining “antique” leaf. Actually? I like the look better!

So the next hurdle was figuring out how to create a way of showing the pages. I happened on the idea of using the inside of the box lid as a frame of sorts.

The pages are stacked inside while two hooks at the top are ready for whichever page is chosen for display. And here are some of the pages displayed:

I hope you enjoyed viewing this as much as I enjoyed creating and participating in this phenomenal collaboration. It might be the very best collab I’ve ever been honoured to be part of. And over the years? There have been many. Seth and Bri are the most generous, compassionate, innovative, patient artists I’ve ever had the pleasure of working with. Thanks so much you two! xo

… and at a sale price to boot. On etsy. Still free shipping in Canada & the US. $5 bucks flat fee elsewhere. I still have a few things to add … and I’m hoping that they will all go so I can get some breathing room. So stay tuned or visit my etsy site over the next week or so.

Here’s something I’m currently working on. I know. I’m as shocked as you!

Not a great photo but … this is 4-16×20 canvases bolted together, the largest piece I’ve ever worked on. What you see here is all underlay stuff. Cardboard and papers and fabric plastered down with molding paste and crackle paste, gesso and paint. My 3/4″ brushes just aren’t cutting it. And MAN! you go through a lot of paint. lol I had to crack some standard acrylic interior cans. Kinda therapeutic though.

On Sale! 50% off all assemblages, including 3 new offerings, on etsy. I want’em outta here so if you’ve had a hankering for any of these or you know someone who might, please send them my way. FREE shipping to Canada and the US. A reasonable flat $5.00 to everywhere else.

One small step for Jen’s studio. One giant step towards sanity!

Next up and currently on the “ponder table”, Carla’s stuff! Some very cool textiles including dyed cheesecloth, cowhide and lace edging. The glasses I might snarf for myself.

Only four more days of the Tour and then I’ll be back in the saddle again … the training saddle that is, as my knee feels ready to start tackling something other than walking. The last set of shots has taken longer to get over so I’m hoping those ligaments are finally tightened up for good.

Have a bunch of new projects to whet my appetite … an altered shoe show courtesy of Tricia’s Ten Women Gallery and my interest in canvas work has been peaked too. Took this photo of Granddog Figs & Stella hanging out watching the world go by and I can just see it as one of my scenics. Time to haul out the Epson to the studio!

… apparently. As the days start to heat up, I head to the studio which provides a bit of respite until 4 o’clock or so when EVERYWHERE just pulsates. Been hearing the tree frogs whine earlier and earlier each day. Dog days of summer indeed!

Anyway. On to Teri’s stuff!

A few years ago I did a collaboration with Deryn Mentock. She asked me to create an assemblage that would hold a necklace she’d created based on the theme Valley of the Bones. I loved the idea and indeed, enjoyed the finished product (you can see it here).  As I kept pondering Teri’s objects, I was divided. I definitely wanted to incorporate that glass rod … swoon… but my initial idea of a piece of jewelry couldn’t fathom its weight. Then it occurred to me … assemblage AND jewelry. In doing so, I had to use a few key pieces of my own, but I’m pretty pleased how they both turned out. You be the judge!

Judah and Teri, these will be sent out this week sometime! On to Carla’s stuff…

Currently on my “ponder” table:

Teri’s stuff came so lovingly wrapped …

… and is a very interesting mixture of things she’s picked up on the streets, in the parking lot, on the beach (I think because one of the pieces was filled w/sand!) … concrete marked w/cross hatching, rubber circles, smooth pebbles, wee toys … the detritus that we overlook as we make our way through our days.

It’s going to be an interesting challenge to create something cohesive, something to honour … commemorate … these treasures. I’m waffling between standard assemblage and a piece of jewelry. Teri, do you have a preference??

In case you’re interested I’m also posting a better photo of Cynjon/Judah’s finished piece below.

So there have been earthquakes in Ottawa, tornadoes in Midland and Jen is in the studio. Yes dear readers, the end IS nigh!!

Some of the unsold work that has been at The Flying Pig was returned to me, so I’m adding them to etsy. I figured, Why Not?!? But if you see something you like and for whatever reason don’t want to go through etsy but want that piece, lemme know and we can work out a deal!

Long-timers may recognize some of the mixed media pieces from artsomofo way  back when – 2007? 2008? Ack! Can’t remember. A favourite of mine, if for no other reason than its title makes me smile “Sometimes A Frog Prince Is Just A Frog”, with the central metal piece dating back to when I did Stephanie Lee’s book project by project.

And. AND! I finished Cynjon … Judah mea culpa Mr. Man! …’s assemblage challenge (hide your eyes if you want to stay surprised). I know. I can’t quite believe it either. Here’s the finished piece … a rather HORRIBLE photo but ’twill have to suffice for the time being.

Teri, your “parts” are being pondered on the table … can you BELIEVE it?!? I know. Me either!!

ETA: A MUCH better photo of Cynjon/Judah’s finished piece: