Arabic Lesson And Book Arts

Books Books, oh how I love books!

But before we get to the books portion, I wanted to share a story about how I accidentally ended up getting a free private Arabic lesson.

As you may or may not know one of the languages I'm studying is predominantly spoken in Pakistan and many, though not nearly as I had previously stereotyped, Pakistani people are Muslim.

So in attempt to find an Urdu speaker, I went to the Mosque looking for someone to ask. I didn't find an Urdu speaker but rather was invited to join a mother and a son taking a private Arabic lesson from the Imam (or Sheikh or 'Alim).

I could follow only a little from my basic Urdu but that's another story. 

While I was there I took a tour of the Mosque and was able to look through some of the books. I'm not sure if they were Qur'ans or not, since 90% of the Qur'ans I've seen in the past I have not been allowed to touch and I touched these.

Either way, they were beautifully illustrated. The calligraphy and design work was stunning...sooo beautiful! This beauty is a major reason I am learning Hindi and Urdu.

Ok, now back to books!

It's been a while since I've looked through a Koran. I used to love going to the University of Wyoming Rare Books Library and looking at all their beautiful books. Illuminated manuscripts, moralized bible, Gutenberg Bible, cuneiform scrolls, and rare Egyptian books. The list of my favorites goes on and on.

There is nothing better than a beautiful book. Which leads me to what I really wanted to share. My love for books, book arts and illustrated books. But in addition to other people's books I really enjoy the challenge of making my own.

I was accepted into and able to attended my first meeting with the Book Arts Club here in the Tri-Cities. It is a fun group of artists. They are encouraging and critical, which quite honestly is refreshing. I have found open critique a bit rare outside of the university. I am excited to continue creating books, stories, paper art and other works that fit this challenging genre.

For those of you who are unfamiliar with the genera book arts I will write a blog post with the goal of explaining a bit more. I will also share some of my pieces inspired by Islamic culture and architecture.

Graphic Design Questions

Book cover for Captured Justice.
 See more Native American social justice posters 

Before I begin a graphics project I tend to ask several questions to help me get a better understanding of what the client desires.

Here are the questions I ask.

1. What is your business? Name? What do you do? Ideas? Images?
2. If you had to describe your desired/typical clients in a short paragraph what would you say about them? Age? Gender? Style? Culture? Class? Etc.
3. Is there anything else I need to know?

Other questions that may apply

What imagery are you leaning towards?
What are you trying to say with the imagery, that is not being said in the text or business name?
Do you want this type, image, or color heavy?

What questions do you ask your clients before beginning a project? Are they similar? Is there anything I forgot?

Why We Must Kill Those Bastards: An Essay by General Nathan Bedford Forrest

This book began with a lot of play (you might not have guessed that from the content).  I wanted to see how I could play with form and pages of a book created from one sheet of paper folded to create pages.  It ended as a very strong piece showing some of the hatred our country was built on.

This essay was written by General Nathan Bedford Forrest, Civil War hero and found of the KKK, about why the Klansmen needed to fight against Negros, Jews, carpetbaggers and a variety of other hated people groups.  This essay plays on the fear and ignorance that if they don't fight to the extent that we are willing to kill anyone who is not a white Christian with the same cultural background, they will loose everything. 

This essay was found in a book compiled of the essays of various Klan leaders.  Some gave the history but many really focused on the core values.  This book really helped me gain an understanding of the psychology behind racism.

Much like the modern day Klan the original Klan was formed on the foundational values of hatred, ignorance, and racism disguised as self-love.

Strage Fruit in Book Form

Southern trees bear strange fruit

Blood on the leaves

Blood at the root

Black bodies swinging in the southern breeze

Strange fruit hanging from the poplar trees

Pastoral scene of the gallant south

The bulging eyes and the twisted mouth

The scent of magnolia sweet and fresh

Then the sudden smell of burning flesh

Here is a fruit for the crows to pluck

for the rain to gather

for the wind to suck

for the sun to rot

for the tree to drop

Here is a strange and bitter crop

Composed by Abel Meeropol (aka Lewis Allan)

Originally sung by: Billie Holiday

The original song

Klanstory

Klanstory gives a brief backgroung of the various Klans from a variety of time periods including the present and largest Klan.

This book describes the origins of the Klan and the reasons for their costumes. 

 The video Birth of a Nation played a vital role in the resurgence of the Klan.

This Christian group saw the burning cross as a sign of Christian brotherhood.

Sneak Peak

Here is a little bit of what you may have seen around and a sneak peak at what you will see if you come to my opening tonight.

  I hope you can make it...For those of you who are out of town, I will be sure to post some more photographs of my art work.  The show consists of graphic design posters, graffiti style name drawings in ink, and a whole bunch of noose drawings to represent the culture James Cone and Malcolm X were responding to.

If you can make it to the opening, be sure to like my Facebook page!

I will be giving away some artwork.  The catch is you must like my Facebook page and attend the opening.  

I will also be offering some more promotions and discounts on my work through my FB page in the future, so like the page even if you cant come to the opening..

Short Lived: Complete Story

Artist Statement from the show

The drawing technique of ink and wash along with graphic design concepts are both influential in my current work. Ink and wash is a medium that I have been exploring recently. As part of this exploration, I was excited to combine ink and wash with book arts, as the two work together well. My formal training in graphic design also had a major influence on my current work. The technical skills and precision needed in graphic design translated well to the construction of the books. The communication of ideas is also a strong focus within the graphic design discipline, and this skill is especially important with the political and social topics that I choose to address. I’ve found that these topics are well suited to book arts because of their interactive and intimate nature. For these works, I was fortunate to find that my formal training, current artistic direction, and personal interests fit well together within the book arts discipline.

The book show will be up through September 29th.  At the Works of Wyoming art gallery. As mentioned above, I often address social topics.  The topic of abortion still leads to heated and controversial arguments (or discussions, if lucky).  I like addressing serious topics through art because I can allow the viewer to think for himself.  I not telling the viewer what to believe or what to think but there is still interaction and dialog.

As an artist I am fortunate to be able to talk about topics in a unique language.

I like that my art can be as bold or as mellow as I want it to be.  It can be in your face and powerful or it can hint at an idea or symbol.  What are some social topics you would like to see addressed in my artwork? Take the one question quiz or let me know below. 

Journal - Ink Drawing

 Here is another book arts piece with a simple binding and ink drawings.  The back and inside of the front cover also have drawings.  

I would like to make these using homemade paper for the filler paper in the future.

I think that it would be a fun way to upcycle some scraps that I have laying around.

I plan to create more but would like to personalize them a bit more (so if you have any friends you want to buy a gift for, give me their name and we can work something out : )

I might also make some with "Live, Laugh, Love" or something like that as well.

Short Lived - Social Artwork

I enjoy creating work that tells a story or communicates a message,
especially in response to a social topic.  

Since I possess a graphic design background it makes sense that much of my artwork would be about communication. 

This art book tells a short story and makes a point (though not obvious).

 This is one of my newest ink drawn creations.  It measures only 3.5 x 3.5 inches.  

The story is about creation and destruction...specifically an aborted life.

The way that I created the binding was also inspired by my graphic design experience.

It wraps around the book and is secured with a paper clasp.

The abstract shapes are characters that grow and change throughout.

I like that it is not too obvious, but once you see what is going on there is little doubt about there being a sad ending even if the issue of abortion is not picked up on.

The entire book will be back in my blog after the show opening.

Book Artist Sharon McCartney

 Oh, I absolutely love Sharon McCartney's Artist Books. 

She also has paintings, watercolors, fiber arts and mixed media.

I am curious to know how I can incorporate graphic design into book arts.
I found one way.

I know that there are ways, but how can I make it my own?

Moonlight And Music
Mixed Media Vintage Compact Book
3.25"H x 3.25"W

This makes me want to take the Book Arts class in the near future...

Here are the books I have taught myself how to make so far.  

These are just using scraps nothing facny, just trying to learn the basic techniques. 

My Work in the Student Art League Show had a zine with it.
I was actually told that I would like books arts but a couple of the girls there.

Zines could be one way to combine books and graphics.

My second and favorite book

My first book (well since 5th grade) 
Short Lived - Just got into the Book Arts Show at WOW

5 Upcycling Projects I Would Like to Try

I love love love researching and looking for new projects to try.  I figured I would share some of my findings with you guys.  Many of these will make great gifts and be fun, simple projects.

The projects are handmade paper, a T-shirt patch, a purse organizer, picture frames and a skirt from a pillowcase.

Make a Valentine for Mother Earth...

or What is UpCycling?

Lets start by defining recycling.  Recycling is taking something old and and turning it back into something of equal value.  For example taking plastic bottles and sending them somewhere, having them processed and then turned back into plastic.  Upcycling is arguably better.  Upcycling takes something old, like those same plastic bottles, and turns them into something that can be used and has greater value, like a vase or jewlery.

Quick Definition



Why I Love Upcycling

Well, I have always loved art and being creative.  I also hate wasting.  I am not perfect and don't think this about everything but I go through weeks when I feel guilty every time I throw something away or look at how much trash we have.  I have recently decided to combine these two interestes and they produced Upcycling.  It sure has been a great discovery and journey.

My Projects

Here are my Upcycled projects.  So far I have created paper beads, pot holders, and shopping bags from shopping bags.  I am in the process of creating some storage bins using old boxes and rolled magazine paper.

Here are some great posts/websites on the topic of Upcycling.

7 things to upcycle

Sexy Upcycling - I still like the record bowls.

EDOT (Every Day One Thing)

UpCycle (Giving junk a second chance)

Crafting a Green World

Terracycle - This site collects trash.

Recycle This

Are there any sites that you absolutely love?  Let me know.

Circuit Board Gift Card/Photo Album

This is the perfect gift for the nerd in every young ladies life.  This project was fairly simple and fun.  I was going to make the circuit board into a a photo frame but the dremel bits I had were too week, so I used the circuit board as a cover and added a light up piece.

For those of you who want to make this you need a circuit board, Ulfa knife (like X-acto only better), dremel (my board had holes), electrical wire, newspaper, paint, and ink.

Turtorial and more images below...

DIY Upcyceled Book #2

Here is the second book that I created.  There are still a few kinks that I will work out.  The inside pages crinkled a bit.  I am planning on using nicer paper.  The cover is cloth.  I bought it for a Christmas present but I think that I might try some old t-shirts, jeans or miscellaneous paper. The binding is made out of cardboard from a box that we used the last time we moved.

Front cover

Center Pages

Back Cover

I will post a tutorial on my other blog (sckrlgn).  I will try to have it up by January.

My First Book - Using All Upcycled Materials

I have wanted to learn how to make art books for several years.  I finally decided that books could make excellent Christmas gifts and decided to look into creating them. 

I used these two tutorials (1 and 2) for the basic understanding but made up my own rules.

I wrapped watercolor paper with magazine pages for the cover and used engineering paper for the filler paper. I might still decoupage the cover or keep it for a reference in the future. I think that purchasing some fancy paper would be benefical especially if I want to use the books for gifts. Fancy paper would also be good for paper beads. I will show you about paper beads at some point.
Simplified Steps

1. Gather materials (all materials can be found around the house)
1. a. A thick material for a cover and something to wrap the cover with.
2. b. Glue
3. c. String, lace or hemp
4. d. Filler paper
5. e. Something to make holes
2. Create folds or cuts in the thick material where you want to binding to fold Wrap the cover like a present
3. Cover the seems with a photograph.
4. Punch holes in paper and cover
5. String together

Here are some photos of my first practice book.

Front Cover

Inside Left

Inside Right

Back Cover

My next step is to gather better materials and try one that is a bit more professional.

Some other book ideas to try
Star book
Concertina book