"Islands"

(unavailable.....4" x 6"....Mixed Media on 140 lb. HP)

"Islands are the places in my mind where the quiet can be found." Everyone dreams of a far away place where there is sun, palm trees, beaches, and quiet. We cannot always physically be in those places, but we can go there in our minds.

This piece represents yet another way to incorporate old text pages and rice paper. Because the pouring medium technique used in the background is so similar to marbled paper, it matches up beautifully. You may have even found some old books with marbled paper inside the front and back covers. It's one way of remembering the beauty of books that are now quickly being replaced by ipads and Nook. Thank you very much, but I still enjoy holding an actual book in my hand.

So part of me is still wanting to keep the book arts alive by retrieving some of those old books and incorporating them into works of art. I personally believe that bookbinding will still remain popular and will rise to an elevated art form in much the same way that quilts have done. If you've ever been to the Houston International Quilt Show, you will know exactly what I'm talking about.

Anyway, for those of you who have learned how to use Liquitex Pouring Medium and Fluid Acrylics, this should spark your interest. You will soon be scouting around looking for just the right kind of old books. What makes them more appealing than newer books is the patina that magically appears in stark contrast to the rice papers when they are sprayed with Krylon Spray Acrylic Coating. Great fun for a Saturday! And there you have it...just a few more things to think about.