The Games We Play - book.

I printed the Games We Play series on handmade (by moi) paper and bound it into a simple book - concertina spine structure with pages sewn in. I covered it with a textured and fibrous paper with a lovely rough deckle - I dyed it to try and match the look of the etchings. I also dyed the thread that I used to stitch the pages. I must still do the title on the front page and the colophon. I have practised stencilling and stamping the title - neither really looks right - so I am now wondering whether I should make an etching with the title and then attach it to the front somehow ... What do you think?

New art works.

A few weeks ago I acquired these stunning etchings by Colleen Ross. The dark psychological undertones (or are they overtones? hmmm ....) can be quite disturbing, and make these etchings all the more powerful.
Pretty Ballerinas by Colleen Ross

The Mother's Boyfriend by Colleen Ross.

Hiding the Ugly.

A lot of ugly things do not bother me. As my granny used to say, in an (unsuccessful) attempt to make me feel better about looking, well, odd:  it is the inside that counts, my dear. But there are some ugly things that I will not abide. Take an ugly electrical cord against a wall, for example.

Or the broken base of a reading lamp, cleverly fixed with metres of masking tape, and still functional, but aesthetically very unappealing.  (This desk lamp is the best one in the house, I have to add, and was knocked over by one naughty little doggie - who will remain nameless - diving for the living room window in an attempt to scare unsuspecting passing dogs).

UGLeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeY!

So I made little covers for the various offenses to my aesthetic sensibilities (neatly embroidered by moi, not the aesthetic sensibilities,obviously, but the covers) from pink ribbon ...

and grey twill tape ...

and a bit of an old black knitted top.

Trip to Napier.

Oh, my goodness. Almost two weeks have passed since my last post. I have seen two print exhibitions (see here and here) , been to a concert of exquisite tango music by the Cape Town Tango Ensemble (listen here), attended a picnic at Kirstenbosch, purchased two beautiful etchings, taken a trip to Napier, made some stuff, done some studying, constructed a book. In short, I have been a busy little bee.

Napier is the village in the Overberg where my dad grew up.

Farm road outside Napier.

Exploring the garden at tranquil and pet-friendly Driftwood Cottage (yay for the Reyburns!) .

Making friends with the cheeky dachsie at Wild Thyme (well worth a visit for the very delish tapas-style menu).

Visiting my dad, Ouma & Oupa Ver.

From Napier it is just a short drive to Struisbaai. This is the harbour view (with my bro' on the left, looking for stingrays). Sadly the harbour area may soon be developed, losing its quaint and unique character.

Snous playing the fool at the Red Windmill outside Napier.

Have a great weekend, dear friends! Take a road trip, or if you do not have time, a simple drive, yes, just a tiny little journey is what you need to revive your spirits and renew your inspiration ...

The Games we Play.

I have written and printed words to go with the six paper-and-pencil game etchings. I have printed the six (as well as the two text plates) on my own handmade paper. (The ones in the photos below have been printed on Italian etching paper.) I am going to bind the 8 etchings on handmade paper into a handmade book. I haven't quite decided on the binding method and cover though ... but you will see it all in due course!

Small, clustered networks.

The book I am reading at the moment (Linked, by Albert-László Barabási) and the last etching I have made (for the Rumour series) have come together in a most serendipitous manner.

Rumours III (dry point etching).

Another stitched book.

I have finished another origami book - this time I hand stitched this lovely poem by Kay Ryan.

My collection of stitched books is growing - I have four more folded and waiting for just the right quotation or poem to inspire me to take up my needle and thread ...