I am not a patient person. Sewing the pages in my new visual journal was very very unpleasant. I am not a bookmaker. Give me some paper, waxed linen, a couple of book boards, and a needle and I can put together a book, but it will not be pretty. It will be a rough-hewn awkward thing. A book-like container to hold all the pages of my up and coming visual meanderings. But because I need something BIG with just the right kind of paper I have to make it myself.
These are my first two pages. Unfinished, but at least started.
You will be seeing many combinations of these stencils in future posts. I cut the portrait from a printed photo. I didn’t feel like making it b&w or even fiddling with the contrast. As a result the eyes need to be tweaked a bit – too much light and not enough dark.
This one on a book cover. I darkened the eyes in with a Sharpie. A quick flick of the exacto knife on the stencil can remedy this.
The new visual journal has 96 pages front and back. They measure about 11 by 13. I don’t want to have to make another one for awhile, although a sewing cradle would probably make the job much easier.
Here’s a look at the sewn in pages.
And the spine.
After all of that I retired by the window for an icy glass of tea and a book that is quickly becoming UNPUTDOWNABLE.
You are so good!! I love your jounals. I can’t wait to start this book now. It is my book clubs book for September.
super neat spine!
I bound my first book (to use as an art journal. because like you, I like this kind of paper and that size so…) and the spine was quite different. lol.
MA, the journal is amazing. I agree, I am NOT A BOOKMAKER. I am trying to figure out if I can do my pages, and then glue them in with spray glue, over the pages of an existing oversized book. I really don’t like to sew signatures- can you tell??
Can’t wait to see to see the artwork in your new journal. Your stencils are fabulous
Stunning….I love your stencils, your art is as always so inspiring
I actually like the bookmaking part. It is the paper cutting part that I always dread. Love your new stencils.
I LOVE those sunglasses!
If your blog was in “book form” it too would be UNPUTDOWNABLE…
Your journal is astounding! Truly!!
I’ll have to go pick up this new book, I loved Kite Runner….
love this new journal – those little beads on the spine… and the new stencils are wonderful –
xox – eb.
your books looks great anyway, I looove watercolour paper right now! 🙂 and your stencils, mmm! so great