Birthday Project

It was my birthday this week. Instead of a party, my friends, Mark and Beth, helped me construct a cardboard booth like Lucy's in PEANUTS. We put it outside the Penland dining hall at lunch. For 5 cents you could get 2 minutes of psychiatric help and a prescription. My husband, Dan (a psychologist in real life), stood in for Lucy. There was a lot of laughing going on!

More Paper Mache Animals

The Past 2 weeks

I have been working on more paper mache animals as well as environments for my journal books. The first photo shows a grouping of work in my studio from last week's open house. Next is a paper mache dreaming bird. The third photo is the latest journal book in it's environment- an altered napkin holder. The book can be displayed in the holder open or closed.

Upcoming Class

I'm looking forward to teaching at Cloth Fiber Workshop in a few weeks.  There are still a couple of spots left.  Please join us for a fun weekend.

The past few weeks I have been working on paper mache animals in between other projects.  For me the appeal of paper mache comes from low tech  and low cost materials.  I can manipulate newspaper to create any gesture.  Incorporating other materials like pencils and wheels help to blur the way we typically "see" an animal as well as trigger other possibilities.

Pollyanna

I often wonder if I am a Pollyanna.  In a difficult situation I try to find the silver lining- to make lemonade out of lemons.  Is this a defensive reflex or a healthy attitude?  The name "Pollyanna" currently has a negative connotation, but it was not always so.  Recently I have been challenged with a heavy burden; part of my making, but part out of my control.  As I struggle to plunge ahead with my life I'm looking for the ray of sunshine that comes after the storm.

Pollyanna and 6 more of my artist books are currently on view at Blue Spiral 1 in Asheville, NC.  Blue Spiral is having their first Book Show entitled By The Book which includes work by 12 artists.  There was a great turn out for the opening last Thursday and lots of enthusiasm for this fun show.  White gloves are provided so you can handle the books.  Thank you Blue Spiral 1 for supporting Book Arts!

If you would like to view part of the show follow this link and scroll down to By The Book.

http://www.bluespiral1.com/Images_current/09may-june/currentx.htm

Confessions Of A Small Dog

Confessions Of A Small Dog      

                 by issy

i feel like a BIG dog

i ate the butter, but let the cat take the blame

i want to be the ONLY alfa dog

i think i am part human, therefore i deserve human food

i pooped on the rug because i didn't want to go out in the rain

i am addicted to dry crusty cat turds from the litter box

i don't like it when you talk to me in baby talk

i hear selectively

when you are gone i sleep on your bed with my head on your pillow

sometimes i wish you were a dog